Lately, I've been thinking a lot about what this next chapter of life is supposed to look like.
My husband, Gus, and I have raised our three kids. We've lived in Herndon since 2002, built our lives here, and like so many families, spent years juggling kids, careers, homes, and everything else that comes with raising a family.
And now we're in a different season.
Our kids are grown. We're doing more traveling. We're thinking about how we want to spend our time, where we want to spend it, and what makes sense for us moving forward.
And you know what?
We're still figuring it out.
Some days, the idea of simplifying everything, selling the houses, and spending more time somewhere warm sounds pretty amazing.
Other days, I think about how much I love our life here in Herndon, the routines we've built, and the community we've been part of for more than two decades.
I suspect we're not the only ones having these conversations.
And it's made me think differently about something I talk to my real estate clients about all the time: downsizing in Herndon, VA.
Because I'm realizing that downsizing isn't always about needing a smaller house.
Sometimes it's about wanting a different kind of life.
When the Kids Leave, Everything Starts to Look a Little Different
For years, our homes were the center of everything.
Kids coming and going. Family dinners. Friends stopping by. Holidays. Busy schedules.
We needed the space, and we used it.
But when the kids grow up and build lives of their own, things change.
You start noticing rooms you don't use very often. The yard still needs attention. Things still break. There are always projects waiting.
And at some point, you start wondering whether you want to spend the next 10 or 20 years maintaining everything you've accumulated.
I don't think that necessarily means you're ready to move.
It might just mean you're starting to ask different questions.
That's certainly where we are.
We're Traveling More, and It's Changing How I Think About Home
One of the things Gus and I really enjoy is traveling.
I love discovering new places, finding a great coffee shop, walking along the beach, and having mornings that aren't dictated by appointments or a long to-do list.
There's something about being away that makes life feel a little simpler.
And I'll admit, sometimes I catch myself thinking, What if we could do more of this?
Not necessarily a permanent vacation. Just more flexibility.
More time to explore. More opportunities to visit places we love. More freedom to decide what we want to do without having to plan everything around the responsibilities waiting at home.
But then there's the other side.
We have a life here. A home. Family connections. My real estate business. Friends. Responsibilities.
And I genuinely enjoy many of those things, too.
So we're trying to figure out what the right balance looks like.
Do we keep everything the way it is? Do we simplify? Do we eventually spend part of the year somewhere else?
I don't know yet.
But I think that's what makes this stage of life so interesting. For the first time in a long time, we have the opportunity to really think about what we want the next chapter to look like.
Apparently, We're Not the Only Empty Nesters Thinking About Travel
It turns out that travel is a big priority for many people in this stage of life.
According to AARP's 2026 travel research, nearly two-thirds of Americans age 50 and older planned to travel this year.
And a 2026 YouGov study found that among working empty nesters who had taken a short break in the previous year, 66% took at least two short trips.
Beach vacations were especially popular.
I can relate to that!
What's interesting to me is that travel doesn't have to mean one big vacation every year.
It might mean spending a few weeks somewhere warm during the winter, taking a spontaneous trip, visiting adult children, or staying somewhere long enough to experience what everyday life might feel like there.
And when you start thinking about traveling more often, you also start thinking about the home you're leaving behind.
Which brings me to something I've been hearing more about lately.
The Appeal of Lock-and-Leave Living
I love the idea of lock-and-leave living.
Essentially, it's having a home that you can lock up, head out of town, and not spend your entire trip worrying about.
Maybe that's a condo where the exterior maintenance is handled.
Maybe it's a smaller townhome with very little yard work.
Maybe it's a one-level home that requires less upkeep.
For some people, it's simply organizing their existing home and putting systems in place so they can travel more easily.
And I think that's an important distinction.
You don't necessarily have to sell your home to create a simpler lifestyle.
Sometimes you just need to rethink how you're living in it.
For Gus and me, that's part of what we're exploring.
We're not making any big declarations about what we're going to do. We're just paying attention to what we enjoy, what feels like work, and what we'd like more of in our lives.
And I think that's a pretty good place to start.
Travel Trends That Make Sense for This Stage of Life
A few travel trends have caught my attention because they fit so well with the conversations many empty nesters are having.
Slow Travel: Staying Longer and Doing Less
This one really appeals to me.
Instead of trying to see everything in five days, imagine spending three weeks somewhere.
Finding your favorite coffee shop. Walking every morning. Shopping at local markets. Having absolutely nothing on the schedule some days.
I love the idea of experiencing a place instead of just visiting it.
For people with more flexible schedules, longer stays can be an opportunity to see whether a destination might eventually become part of their retirement lifestyle.
And you don't have to decide to move there permanently to enjoy it.
Traveling Outside the Busy Seasons
One of the perks of having grown kids is that you're no longer planning every vacation around school calendars.
Traveling in the shoulder season can mean fewer crowds, better availability, and sometimes lower prices.
Europe in September instead of August? Yes, please.
A beach trip in May instead of the middle of summer? That sounds pretty good, too.
Having the freedom to travel when you want is one of the benefits of this stage of life.
More Experiences With Family
I also love the idea of spending money on experiences rather than accumulating more things.
AARP's 2026 multigenerational travel research found that 39% of adults 50 and older were at least somewhat likely to take a trip with three or more generations of family over the next two years.
For those of us with grown children, that can mean creating new family traditions.
Maybe everyone meets at the beach for a week instead of gathering at the family house every holiday.
Maybe you travel to see the grandkids more often.
The point isn't to give up the family traditions you love.
It's realizing you can create new ones, too.
Seven Lock-and-Leave Travel Hacks Worth Considering
Whether you're thinking about downsizing in Herndon or planning to stay in your current home, there are ways to make traveling easier.
And these are things I'm thinking about for our own situation, too.
1. Install smart water leak detectors. Water damage is one of those things that can turn a wonderful trip into a nightmare. Smart detectors can alert you to leaks, and some systems can automatically shut off the water.
2. Create a pre-travel home checklist. Mail, thermostats, doors, windows, landscaping, deliveries, and emergency contacts. Having a routine makes leaving much less stressful.
3. Use smart-home technology. A video doorbell, smart thermostat, and a few automated lights can make it easier to keep an eye on things while you're away.
4. Check your homeowners insurance. If you're going to be gone for several weeks or months, ask your insurance agent about any vacancy or extended-absence requirements. This is especially important during Northern Virginia winters.
5. Have someone you trust nearby. Technology is wonderful, but having a neighbor, friend, or family member who can check on the house is invaluable.
6. Try living somewhere before deciding to move there. This is a big one for me. A place can feel amazing on vacation, but everyday life is different. Spend a few weeks there. Grocery shop. Establish a routine. See how it feels.
7. Consider how much house you actually need. If you're traveling more and spending less time at home, it's worth asking whether maintaining a large property still makes sense.
None of these things requires making a major life decision tomorrow.
They're simply ways to create more flexibility.
The Financial Side of Downsizing in Herndon
Of course, I can't write about downsizing without putting my Realtor hat on for a minute.
Many longtime Herndon homeowners have built significant equity in their homes.
If you purchased your house 20 or 30 years ago, its current value may give you options you haven't seriously considered.
Maybe selling allows you to buy a smaller home and reduce your maintenance responsibilities.
Maybe it frees up money for travel.
Maybe you decide that keeping your current home makes the most financial sense.
And sometimes, after looking at condo fees, property taxes, moving expenses, and the cost of buying another home, downsizing doesn't save as much money as people expect.
That's why I always think it's important to start with the numbers rather than assumptions.
You don't need to be ready to sell to find out what your home is worth.
Sometimes knowing your options is enough to help you start planning.
But What About the Family Home?
This is the part I understand on a much more personal level these days.
A home isn't just an investment.
It's where you raised your kids. Where you celebrated birthdays and holidays. Where you've spent decades building a life.
And even when the kids are grown and the house feels bigger than you need, that doesn't mean you're ready to leave it.
I think it's perfectly normal to feel excited about a different lifestyle and a little sad about what you might be leaving behind.
Those feelings can exist at the same time.
For some homeowners, the right answer is to downsize.
For others, it's to stay in the family home and make changes that allow them to enjoy it with less work.
And for some of us, the answer is still unfolding.
That's okay, too.
Why Herndon Is Still a Great Place to Call Home
One thing I keep coming back to is how much I appreciate living in Herndon.
We've been here since 2002. We know the community. We have our favorite places. We've watched the town change and grow.
And from a practical standpoint, Herndon is a pretty convenient home base for people who love to travel.
Dulles International Airport is nearby, and the Silver Line makes getting around the region easier.
There are also different housing options in Herndon, Reston, and Sterling for homeowners who want to simplify without moving away from Northern Virginia.
Maybe the answer isn't leaving Herndon.
Maybe it's finding a home here that better fits the way you want to live now.
Or maybe it's keeping the house you love and making travel a bigger priority.
I think both are worth exploring.
Five Questions Gus and I Are Thinking About, And Maybe You Are, Too
As we figure out what this next chapter looks like, these are some of the questions I keep coming back to.
What do we want our everyday life to feel like? Not just when we're on vacation, but on an ordinary Tuesday morning.
How much time do we want to spend traveling? A few trips a year? Several months? Something in between?
What responsibilities are we ready to let go of? And which ones are still worth keeping?
What does home mean to us now? Is it a particular house, a community, being near family, or simply having a comfortable place to return to?
Are we making decisions because we're genuinely excited about something new, or because we're just ready for a change?
That last question is one I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Sometimes the idea of doing something completely different is exciting.
But I'm learning that it's worth figuring out whether the excitement is about moving toward something we truly want or just wanting a break from our current responsibilities.
And I think that's an important distinction when you're considering a decision as big as selling your longtime home.
Maybe Downsizing Is Really About Making Room for What's Next
I don't have a perfectly mapped-out plan for this next chapter of our lives.
Gus and I are still figuring it out.
We're enjoying traveling, thinking about what we want more of, and having conversations about what makes sense for us in the years ahead.
Some days I imagine a much simpler lifestyle somewhere warm.
Other days, I'm perfectly happy right here in Herndon.
And maybe that's the point.
We don't have to rush into the next chapter just because the kids are grown or because we've reached a certain age.
We get to be thoughtful about it.
We get to explore.
And we get to decide what feels right for us.
Downsizing isn't always about wanting less house. Sometimes it's about wanting more life.
More travel. More time with family. More freedom. More mornings that belong to us.
And whether that means selling the family home, finding something smaller in Herndon, or simply changing how we live in the home we already have, I think it's a conversation worth having.
Are You Thinking About Your Next Chapter, Too?
If you've lived in your Herndon home for 20, 25, or 30 years and have started wondering whether it's still the right fit, I'd love to have that conversation with you.
Not because I think everyone should downsize.
But because I think everyone deserves to understand their options.
We can start by looking at what your home is worth, what smaller or lower-maintenance homes are available, and what the financial picture might look like.
And then you can decide what makes sense for you.
I'm LeAnne Anies with the Fox Homes Team at Samson Properties. I've lived in Herndon since 2002 and started in real estate part time in 2009, selling full time since 2012.
These days, I'm not just helping clients navigate their next chapter.
I'm thinking about my own, too.
Let's start with a personalized Herndon home valuation and see what's possible. Call or text me at 202-409-7513.
