When you’re younger, you might look at a 2,500-square-foot two-story home and see tons of storage space, the perfect spot for a backyard swing set, and a private upstairs retreat from your growing family. But 30 years down the line, when you view the same home, it may become empty rooms collecting dust, a daunting yard, and a lethal staircase you have to battle just to get to your bedroom every day.

Even if you adore your current living space, you’ll want to take your future needs into consideration. It’s wise to weigh the features of different housing options to ensure that your plan to simplify your space doesn’t backfire. The last thing you want is to take on too much property or maintenance at this stage of life, or to spend your nest egg on a place where you can’t stay long-term.

We’ve done the research and spoken with top real estate agents who walk seniors through this next stage of homeownership every day to round up the benefits and drawbacks of a variety of housing styles and features. That way you can seek out a new place to call home that feels like freedom, not sacrifice.