Downsizing enhances retirement: study

New research has revealed that 62 per cent of people have improved their retirement experience by downsizing.

A survey from David Wilson Retirement Homes has found that the majority of retired homeowners have made the most of their later years by moving to a smaller property.

Those that have retired and have always wanted the perfect bungalow could choose to self build and give themselves a once-in-a-lifetime project to tackle.

Building a home from scratch could allow them to install their own security measures to make themselves feel safer in retirement, while they could also add a range of new technology to make their later life easier.

According to Jason Orme, editor of Homebuilding and Renovating Magazine, the majority of self builders are of retirement age as they have the opportunity to downsize as well as the time and money to do so. They also have years of experience of home ownership, so know exactly what they want in a home.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Mr Orme said there is a "big movement in people trying to create a monument to themselves" and leave their "mark" on the world.