Downsizing provides a new lease on life for Lorraine and a new home for Basirah

Published: 

21 April 2021 3:10PM

Springwood resident, Lorraine couldn’t be happier since making the decision to downsize to her 1-bedroom unit at Thornhill Street.

“This place is just perfect for me,” she said.

“I downsized because the kids had all left home, the house and garden were getting hard to maintain and it felt like it was just too big for me.”

Lorraine had lived in her public housing 3-bedroom home in Kingston for 17 years before moving into her community housing unit run by Brisbane Housing Company (BHC). She said the downsizing experience was all positive.

“I am so glad I downsized; it’s changed my life for the better. I have free time now, I don’t mow the lawn and I’ve made new friends,” Lorraine said.

The downsizing experience also provided other benefits to Lorraine.

“You don’t realise how much stuff you have; downsizing gave me the chance to get rid of the clutter, that stuff felt like a burden and now I feel free. It’s given me a new lease on life,” she said.

A sense of community and friendship is one of the best things about the move.

“Everyone is friendly, we have a real community here. We have a communal garden that some of us work in and we share the produce,” she said.

“There’s always someone to talk to here and everyone says hello. When I was in my house, even if I had family and friends visit me, I could still feel a bit lonely.”

Lorraine says having good neighbours adds to the community feel of the complex.

“People will keep an eye out for you to make sure you are OK, and they are there for you if you need help,” she said.

“I have elderly ladies that live on my floor and I check in and see if they want to have a cup of tea.”

Another positive for Lorraine is that the location of her new home means it’s easy for her to stay fit.

“My home is close to some great walking tracks. I love walking and now that I have more time, I walk 2 to 3 hours some days,” Lorraine said.

With the move, Lorraine changed jobs to get a role close to her new home.

“I used to work in a childcare centre but when I moved here, I applied for a job as a teacher aide at the local school and I got the role. It’s great to have my job close to home,” she said.

For Lorraine, downsizing means finding the right place to live and her advice to anyone thinking of downsizing: “do it, absolutely do it, it’s the best thing you can do!”

Meanwhile, Lorraine’s old house in Kingston is now home to Basirah and her family who moved in about 18 months ago when Lorraine took up the opportunity to downsize.

“We love this house, the best thing is everything, the inside and outside. It’s got a good backyard and it’s fully fenced which is good for my kids,” said Basirah.

Basirah has 2 daughters aged 3 and 4 and an 18-month old son and says the extra space and the community they now live in, has made their place feel like home.

“We have more space now but the best thing about our move is the community. We have everything we need close by – shops, doctors and playgroup with some friends nearby. And most of all, we have great neighbours, they are friendly, and we get on well,” said Basirah.