When it came to the golden years, traditionally there was nothing unusual about down-sizing for the silver-haired generation. In the 21st century, however, downsizing is speeding up as baby boomers (50 million-plus of them) start moving into the lifestyle change of empty-nesting.

"They are seriously considering the convenience of 'lock-and-go' versus a lifestyle tied to big homes," says Murray Lawson, to the Calgary Herald. The managing broker for Royal LePage Coast Capital Chatterton has been watching boomers seek out low-cost alternatives to the high rents and maintenance of the single-family dwelling lifestyle.

With the downsizing of square footage, comes the shrinking of furnishings as well. Not only to Realtors get involved in the down-sizing process, but also furniture retail outlets. Condo buyers start trading in king-sized accessories for wall beds and smaller living room suits. For instance, that nice comfy couch that looks perfect in your 240-foot living room in the traditional colonial, isn’t going to work in a 144-foot den in the luxury condo.

While homeowners may look forward to getting rid of excess belongings, moving consultant Jane Dewing in Calgary says it can actually be stressful, saying residents realize they "have to make conscious decisions to relinquish items they might have had for many years."

She adds that the excitement of downsizing also may come with grief or loss of losing treasured items. To ease into smaller surroundings, she suggests downsizing personal property about every five years to "lessen the emotional impact of doing it all at once in 25 or 30 years."