LB, same argument has been provided, that if you want to downsize first where to, if it's miles away how would that make you feel, no family, friends,
second there is according to the council and others i have spoken with a shortage of smaller properties, and the bizarre thing is this, that if hypothetically speaking my rent is 100 quid a week, but a smaller property becomes available and is 150 quid a week, the council will pay the whole rent, as it's a one bed, so it actually costs more. puzzled, not surprised.