Should We Move Somewhere With Less Yard Work and Maintenance?
There is no single right answer; the better choice depends on your finances, timing, and what you want from the home. For many empty nesters, reclaiming time and reducing physical demands becomes a genuine priority once children are no longer part of daily household logistics.
Options for reducing maintenance work
Condos and townhomes often include exterior maintenance as part of HOA responsibilities, while single-family homes on smaller lots reduce the yard work itself without eliminating homeownership entirely, offering a middle ground for those not ready for shared-wall living.
Weighing HOA costs against maintenance savings
Condo and townhome HOA fees, commonly $300-600 monthly in many markets, need to be weighed against the actual cost and time saved from not maintaining a larger yard and exterior personally, a trade-off that doesn't always favor the lower-maintenance option financially, even if it does in terms of time and physical effort.
Physical considerations beyond convenience
Beyond simple convenience, reducing physically demanding yard work becomes increasingly relevant as a long-term consideration for aging in place comfortably, not just a lifestyle preference in the near term.
Hiring landscaping services as a middle-ground option
For those not ready to leave a larger property with significant yard space, hiring a landscaping service, typically $150-400 monthly depending on lot size and service frequency, can address the physical maintenance work without requiring a full move, an option worth pricing out and comparing against the cost and disruption of relocating entirely.