When Is the Right Time to Sell Your Home and Move Closer to Family?

For many seniors in San Diego, the idea of selling their longtime home and moving closer to family brings a mix of emotions—comfort, uncertainty, and perhaps even relief. While the decision is deeply personal, certain signs often indicate it may be the right time. Whether driven by changes in health, emotional needs, or the challenges of maintaining a home, relocating to be near loved ones can significantly improve quality of life. Here are three key reasons why more seniors are choosing to make this move in 2025.

• Changing Health and the Need for Support

• The Hidden Toll of Social Isolation

• Difficulty Maintaining the Home and Finances

• When the House Becomes More Burden Than Blessing

Changing Health and the Need for Support

Health and mobility challenges often surface gradually, but their impact can become significant. Driving to appointments, climbing stairs, or managing prescriptions independently may no longer be feasible. Although San Diego offers excellent healthcare options, including top-rated hospitals like Scripps and Sharp HealthCare, the benefits of being near trusted family members often outweigh even the best facilities. AARP emphasizes that proximity to loved ones allows seniors to receive more consistent, compassionate, and immediate care—something professional services can't always replicate. Family can also help advocate during medical visits, provide transportation, and offer emotional reassurance during vulnerable moments. If daily routines are starting to feel daunting due to physical or cognitive decline, it may be time to consider a move that brings essential support closer.

The Hidden Toll of Social Isolation

Even in a vibrant city like San Diego, loneliness can slowly creep in. Seniors living alone may find themselves going days without meaningful interaction, especially if children and grandchildren live far away. According to the National Institute on Aging, prolonged social isolation can contribute to depression, memory issues, and even reduced life expectancy. While senior centers and community programs help, they often fall short of providing the depth of connection that daily interactions with family offer. For many, moving closer to adult children restores a sense of purpose—whether that’s attending soccer games, celebrating birthdays, or simply sharing dinner. These small, everyday moments can greatly enhance emotional health and add joy to life in ways that beautiful surroundings alone cannot.

Difficulty Maintaining the Home and Finances

Homeownership in San Diego can become burdensome with age. Routine tasks like yard work, plumbing issues, or rising utility bills often pile up faster than they can be addressed. For many seniors, especially those in larger or older homes, the house becomes more of a stressor than a sanctuary. Selling while the market remains favorable—as it still is in San Diego in 2025—can free up home equity and reduce the physical and financial load. According to SeniorLiving.org, moving proactively—before a crisis—allows for greater control and smoother transitions. As noted in the San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego’s real estate market continues to favor sellers, offering a valuable opportunity for seniors looking to make a lifestyle change.

When the House Becomes More Burden Than Blessing

Owning a home in San Diego has long been a source of pride and financial security, but maintaining that home later in life can become overwhelming. Leaky faucets, rising utility bills, yard maintenance, and unexpected repairs can pile up and add stress to each day. Larger homes that once fit a bustling family now often sit mostly empty, with unused rooms and higher upkeep costs. According to SeniorLiving.org, moving before a health or financial emergency arises leads to better outcomes and smoother transitions. And with San Diego's real estate market remaining strong in 2025—particularly in areas like North Park, Allied Gardens, and Rancho Peñasquitos—many seniors are taking advantage of high home values to cash out and simplify their lives. Selling a home before it becomes too much to manage allows for flexibility in choosing a new location, whether that’s closer to family in California or out of state.

Conclusion

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but for many seniors in San Diego, the right time to move closer to family is when life begins to feel less manageable and more isolating. Whether it's a shift in health, the emotional toll of distance, or the stress of home upkeep, these signs are worth taking seriously. Making this move is about more than just real estate

Melina Rissone

Having sold properties for more than 20 years and earning various prestigious awards throughout the course of her career, Melina Rissone has more than earned her reputation as one of San Diego's most skilled and trustworthy real estate brokers selling homes and luxury condominiums. Her loyal clientele would share that Melina brings structure and planning to chaos. She specializes in supporting her clients and their referrals; families and individuals going thru divorce and seniors and active adults planning their moves and financial decisions during their retirement years..

• Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing certified.
• Cartus Network Inventory Specialist and Cartus Network Marketing Specialist since 2015.
• RCS-D Designation, a Real Estate Collaboration Specialist for Divorce.
• SRES Certification through NAR is a Seniors Real Estate Specialist certification.
• Melina is bilingual in English and German.
• Recognized as the Top 4% of all real estate brokers in San Diego County in 2021 and the Top 3% of Coldwell Banker International.
• Coldwell Banker Presidents Elite Award.
• Recognize as the Top 2% of Coldwell Banker West in 2024.
• Coldwell Banker Global Luxury and Institute of Luxury Home Marketing Certified.