Ian and Jill Watson, (74 and 70), recently made the decision to downsize from their family homes — a move increasingly popular among UK homeowners, though not always for the reasons one might expect.

According to the latest Rightmove data, downsizing from a five-bedroom house to a three-bedroom property can release equity of £500,000 on average*. However, for the Watson’s, the move was less about cashing in and more about ensuring their home would continue to suit their needs. Looking for a comfortable lifestyle without compromising on luxury, the couple chose to downsize to a three-bedroom ground floor apartment at AMA Homes’ Torwood development in Murrayfield, Edinburgh.
For over two decades, the couple lived in a five-bedroom end terraced villa at the historic old Edinburgh City Hospital building in Morningside. Purchased in the early 2000s following a refurb for around £420,000, their home had served them well, but it was time to look for a more suitable home.

Ian, a former Chairman of an agricultural cooperative, said: “When we first moved to our home in Morningside, it was perfect for us. The house had been fully refurbished but still retained many of its Victorian features, which we love in a property—one of the reasons we were first drawn to Torwood.

“The house spanned three floors, which was manageable at first. But as we got older, it became more of a challenge. Our bedroom was on the top floor, and the living space was on the ground floor, so we found ourselves making frequent trips up and down the stairs which was starting to cause some frustration.”

Ian and Jill decided it was better to move when they could, rather than wait until it became a necessity to. What initially started as a five-year plan quickly became a five-week plan as the couple came across the Torwood development.

Jill, a retired secondary school teacher, explained: “Our decision to move happened much faster than we anticipated, and we began searching across various parts of Edinburgh. We were committed to downsizing but it wasn’t about freeing up equity at this point – it was simply to make for an easier life, less maintenance and fewer stairs. We certainly didn’t want to compromise on comfort or luxury.

“We had known about AMA Homes and Torwood for a while and so made the decision to visit. We immediately fell in love with the old Victorian-style home at its centre and the high-quality finishes throughout the development.

“We visited Torwood every day for a week to ensure we liked the area and saw as much as possible before deciding to reserve in October last year. We got the keys and moved into our new apartment at the end of February – it was everything we wanted!”

One of the factors in Ian and Jill’s move to Torwood was the superior quality of the build, interior and finish. Known for their high levels of finish and luxury, the apartments offer the kind of luxury and style that the couple was accustomed to, but without the burden of maintaining a large house.

“The high ceilings and spacious rooms were exactly what we were looking for,” Ian added. “We had always tried to make our previous property more open plan, so finding an apartment that already had the layout we wanted was a huge bonus.”

Another benefit of a move to the apartment was its impressive high “B” rated EPC rating, something that the couple hadn’t initially considered. “An energy efficient property wasn’t really on our list of wants,” Jill admitted. “But since our move from a much older property, there’s been noticeable savings on our energy bills. We rarely have the heating on, and general running costs are substantially lower.”

Originally from the Southside, Ian and Jill had some concerns about adjusting to their new home in the West of the city. However, they were excited about being closer to their children and grandchildren. “We loved our old neighbourhood, but being closer to family was a huge draw,” Ian said. Murrayfield’s excellent transport links made it easy to stay connected with the rest of the city, and Ian being an Edinburgh Rugby season ticketholder at Murrayfield Stadium means that he can enjoy the rugby just a short walk away.

Behnam Afshar, Director at AMA Homes, comments: “We’ve observed a growing trend in Edinburgh where homeowners, particularly retired couples and older professionals, are increasingly seeking to downsize without compromising on luxury and quality. Many are looking for more manageable living spaces that still offer the high-quality finishes and design features they’ve come to expect.

“Our Torwood development, as well as our latest Village View development, has been designed with this in mind, offering stylish, modern homes with comfort and convenience at heart. We’re delighted to see homeowners like Ian and Jill embrace this lifestyle change.”

Torwood by AMA Homes is a standout development in Murrayfield, featuring a mix of stylish luxury apartments. The development seamlessly blends contemporary living with traditional architecture, offering residents the best of both worlds. With high-quality finishes, spacious layouts, and well-designed outdoor spaces, Torwood has quickly become one of the most sought-after residential developments in Edinburgh.

Prices start from £805,000 for the remaining  four apartments. For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Behnam Afshar on 07967 322025 (behnama@amanewtown.co.uk).