For many homeowners, the decision to move later in life is not about leaving a place they love. It is about choosing how they want to live next. In Palos Verdes, that next chapter often means simplifying without sacrificing beauty, privacy, or community.

After decades of helping longtime residents and their families navigate this transition, I can say with confidence that moving as a senior is different. It is thoughtful. It is intentional. And when done correctly, it can be incredibly empowering.

This guide is written for Palos Verdes homeowners who are asking important questions. Do we really need all this space? Would life be easier on one level? Can we stay close to friends, doctors, family, and the views we love? The good news is that Palos Verdes offers outstanding options for this stage of life, and the market today provides unique opportunities to move smartly and comfortably.

Why So Many Seniors Are Choosing to Move Now

For years, many homeowners delayed moving. Low property taxes, emotional attachment, and uncertainty about the market kept people in homes that no longer fit their lifestyle. That is changing.

Today’s seniors are more active, informed, and proactive. They are choosing to move before a health issue forces a rushed decision. They want homes that are easier to maintain, safer to navigate, and better aligned with how they actually live day to day.

Common reasons seniors in Palos Verdes decide to move include:

• Desire for single-level living

• Reducing stairs and fall risks

• Lower maintenance and landscaping responsibilities

• Proximity to medical care and family

• Unlocking equity built over decades

• Simplifying while preserving quality of life

This is not downsizing in the old sense. It is right-sizing.

Why Palos Verdes Is Ideal for Aging in Place or Right-Sizing

One of the greatest advantages for longtime residents is that you do not need to leave the Peninsula to improve your lifestyle. Palos Verdes offers a rare combination of natural beauty, quiet neighborhoods, strong community ties, and excellent access to services.

Many seniors choose to move within or between:

• Palos Verdes Estates for walkability, charm, and coastal proximity

• Rancho Palos Verdes for single-level homes, newer construction, and sweeping views

• Rolling Hills Estates for privacy, space, and a semi-rural feel

• Rolling Hills for security, tranquility, and estate-style living with options for guest houses and staff support

These communities allow homeowners to maintain their social circles, routines, and sense of place while choosing a home that better fits their current needs.

What Seniors Should Look For in a Next Home

Every move begins with clarity. Before looking at properties, it is important to define what truly matters now.

Features that consistently rise to the top for senior buyers include:

• Single-story floor plans or primary suites on the main level

• Minimal steps from garage to house

• Wide hallways and open layouts

• Natural light without excessive glare

• Manageable outdoor spaces

• Quiet streets with limited traffic

• Proximity to shopping, medical offices, and family

Many buyers are surprised to learn how many Palos Verdes homes quietly meet these criteria, especially those built in the 1960s and 1970s with thoughtful layouts and generous lots.

Selling a Longtime Family Home Takes Experience

Selling a home you have lived in for decades is not just a transaction. It is emotional. It is detailed. And it deserves careful handling.

Senior home sales often involve:

• Deferred maintenance decisions

• Sorting and downsizing belongings

• Coordination with adult children

• Trusts or estate planning considerations

• Timing a sale with the purchase of a new home

This is where experience matters. A well-executed plan can significantly increase net proceeds while minimizing stress.

Simple improvements often make a meaningful difference. Paint, lighting, landscaping refreshes, and minor repairs can dramatically change buyer perception without overinvesting. Knowing what to fix and what to leave alone is critical.

Market Timing and Financial Considerations

Many seniors worry about finding their next home in a competitive market. The reality in Palos Verdes is that well-priced homes with senior-friendly features tend to move efficiently, while buyers with strong equity positions have flexibility.

Important financial considerations include:

• Proposition 19 tax transfer opportunities

• Capital gains planning

• Bridge strategies between sale and purchase

• Cash purchases versus financing

• Long-term cost of ownership and maintenance

These are not decisions to make in isolation. Coordinating with your financial advisor, CPA, and an experienced local Realtor ensures the move supports your long-term security and peace of mind.

A Move That Supports the Life You Want Now

The best senior moves are proactive, not reactive. They are planned with clarity, dignity, and care. When done well, the result is not a loss, but a gain. Less stress. More ease. A home that supports how you live today, not how you lived 30 years ago.

I have had the privilege of helping many Palos Verdes residents make this transition smoothly. They stay close to the community they love while gaining freedom, comfort, and confidence in their next chapter.

If you are starting to think about whether your current home still fits your life, that conversation is worth having early. Even if a move is years away, understanding your options now gives you control later.

Suzanne Dyer
Wall Street Journal/REALTRENDS #59 in California, #204 in the Nation
Luxury Real Estate Specialist
Los Angeles Business Journal Top 100 Realtors in Los Angeles
Top Woman Listing Agent in the South Bay & Palos Verdes 2023
Over 1 Billion Dollars in Career Sales
Top Realtor in Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estate, Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes Estates, and the South Bay
Strand Hill | Forbes Global Properties
CA BRE license #01054310
www.suzannedyer.com
310-528-7480 cell