Building A Life and Home You Love - By Design

For some people, the idea of buying a new home and moving to a new location can sound like  the most exciting thing in the world. Who doesn’t love new, right? Well, for others, that plan can sound like the LAST thing they would ever want to do - Packing, moving, spending more money? Ugh, No thanks! 

But here’s the deal... depending on your personal situation, your goals in life, and what you want your day-to-day to look like, buying a new home and moving might be exactly what you need for your next step in life. 

The key to building a life and home you love is by asking the right questions. I know, I know, buying a home comes with enough questions, as is. But I’m talking about personal questions; asking yourself “What do I really want in my life, in my home?

Let’s build you a life and home that you love - by design!  Start by answering a few key questions.  Remember, the intention is to get clear on what is working and what needs to change.  Keep in mind that your home should fully support your current life and lifestyle, for both your wants and needs. 

 
Three Questions to Ask Yourself When Considering a Move: 

1.What stage of life am I in - and how long will I be here?

Your current stage of life makes a huge difference when it comes to figuring out how to build a life and home that you love. Your mid-20’s look A LOT different than your mid-40’s. Your priorities change, your career is in a different place, and your tastes will change along the way. Kids might come into the picture or you might find yourself traveling a lot for your job. All this is to say - Stage of Life Matters! 

So, depending on your current stage of life (and how long you’ll be there), you will want to consider some different aspects of moving or buying a home. If you’re in your late-20’s and single, your life has a lot of potential to change over the next five to six years. Do you want to invest in your own home or find something more temporary with roommates? If you’re 32, married, and have kids, you might be running out of space in your starter home and looking for an upgrade for more space. 

But maybe you’re in your early 50’s with grown kids and a little more freedom in your life to move where you want, work where you want, and your focus is more on leisure, travel and adventure. You might want a house that is a little smaller but located closer to the city or near the ocean, giving you options to explore new hobbies and find new interests. Considering your stage of life and where you see yourself over the next five to eight years can make all the difference when it comes to truly building a life you love. 

2.What Needs to Change in My Current Lifestyle? 

Let’s face it. We all have those things in our life that we would change if it was as easy as snapping your fingers. When it comes to building a life you love, it can be really hard to check off ALL the boxes on your list. But as you live somewhere for an extended period of time and realize the pros and cons of your current lifestyle, you’ll start to notice some things that you’d change if you had the chance. 

For instance, if you’re traveling a lot for work and find yourself in and out of the airport multiple  times a month, living close to the airport might actually be the best solution. Sure, most of us can find ways to enjoy the drive by listening to our favourite podcast or playlist, but years and  years of commuting can really take its toll. Or maybe you work downtown and find yourself  always running late because of your commute. Closer proximity to your office might be just what you need. 

Another major factor when it comes to lifestyle is physical and mental health. If you find yourself loving to be outdoors but not having parks, running trails, or hiking areas near where you live, you might want to find a place that has easy access to those things. 

Lastly, children play a huge role in finding the perfect place to live. Are you running out of space in your current home? Are there kids in the neighbourhood that your children can play with Does the area you currently live in feel safe enough to raise a family? How are the schools? If you’re a parent, you know how important these questions are. 

Building a life and home you love can only happen when you’ve really evaluated what your current situation looks like. Based on the questions above, you can probably get a good idea for what’s working and what’s not. 

3. Now, Let’s Talk About Your Home

A home isn’t just a house where we spend time, it’s the place we live. It’s where we grow up, learn about ourselves, build a family, make friends, and make memories that last a lifetime. Yeah, finding a home you love is a pretty big deal, which is why you should really think about  what matters to you when it comes to the place you live. So, let’s figure out what your priorities are. 

 
If You’re A Host… 

If you find yourself hosting a lot, finding a home that has large, open living room and kitchen areas might be something you want to consider. When people come into your home, you don’t want them feeling cramped or like there isn’t enough space. If you’re a host, you might sacrifice some extra bathroom space or storage space to ensure you have enough room for all of your invited guests. 
 

If You’re a Parent of Young Ones… 

It’s no secret that being a parent of young children requires a few lifestyle changes. Your priorities might revolve around having a playroom, a spacious backyard, kids rooms that are  located away from the master bedroom, and a kitchen that can accommodate lots of tiny hands and feet. 
 

If you’re wanting an active lifestyle… 

Some cities are a lot more accommodating to an active lifestyle than others. So, depending on your work situation and where you currently live, you might want to consider moving to a more active area to ensure that you have access to enjoy nature and be outside.  Maybe you’ve always dreamed of living on a lake or on a golf course. Whatever the situation, building a life and home that you love could mean finding that active lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of. The benefits are endless, right? 
 

If you’re ready to retire and settle down… 

Finally, if you find yourself soon to retire and wanting to settle down, with no kids in the picture and no pressing demands on your life, your priorities might be to live in a city that’s walkable. You might want to downsize or move to a one-story home so you don’t find yourself having to  take care of a big, oversized house. Or, maybe you want to be near friends your age that you can spend time with multiple times a week. Everyone has different priorities, but it’s important to list yours out and find a space that fits exactly what you’re looking for. 

Whatever situation you find yourself in, building a life and home you love doesn’t just happen by accident, it takes intentionality. It means understanding your current lifestyle, evaluating what works and what doesn't work, and getting clear.  Asking yourself these questions is a really great place to start. 

So, what are you waiting for?

Get out there and build a life and home that you love - by Design!