Start with what you want daily life to look like
Downsizing is part money and part life. Do you want a single-level home, less yard, a walkable neighborhood, or to be closer to family? Write that down before looking at homes, then compare neighborhoods like Rancho Bernardo, Carlsbad, or La Mesa with Pick Your San Diego.
Property taxes and Proposition 19
Under Proposition 19, eligible California homeowners who are 55 or older, severely disabled, or victims of wildfire or natural disaster may be able to transfer the taxable value of their primary home to a replacement primary home anywhere in the state, within time limits and subject to rules about value. The details matter, so confirm eligibility with the County Assessor and a tax professional before you sell.
Give the move time
Decades in a home mean a lot of belongings and memories. Start sorting early, decide what goes to family, and line up donation or estate-sale help. Many downsizers sell first and rent briefly so they can buy without pressure. See selling and buying at the same time.
Prep and pricing for a longtime home
Older systems and original finishes are common in long-held homes. Read what is worth doing before listing, and be thorough with disclosures, including past repairs you may have forgotten.