Ahh, retirement! The time of freedom and doing everything one simply likes. If you are retired too, then you probably have a lot of time to spend with your family, to travel and to simply enjoy your golden years. No more going to work and saving. Now is the time to spend all those savings. But, on what? Well, according to recent research, many retirees decide to spend a part of those savings on relocation. One million of them, to be exact. Some move in order to downsize and cut their costs of living in a big house, others move to be closer to their family, while some due to health issues. Yes, there are many reasons besides these, but one thing is for sure – they are all legitimate and you should not be scared of them. Here is our go-to guide on relocating after retirement.
Where Should You Move?
Before you start packing your bags and calculating the cost of your upcoming move, you must find your new home first. That is, you must find an area in which your new home will be. Remember, now that you are a senior, you will have more needs than before. So, the location of your new home matters the most! Thus, first look for areas that are more affordable. Trust us, you do not want to be spending your entire budget on housing and utilities. Find a cheaper home, and use the rest of your money on doing stuff you like. Then, look for a home located near all the amenities a senior might need – a hospital, bank, post office, recreational center, grocery store, or any place you simply enjoy spending time in. And, finally, if possible, look for places located in warmer climates. Hopefully, this gave you an idea, so now, do some research and look for an area that would suit your needs and your budget the most.
Find Your New Home First
Did you find your new location? Does it have everything you need? If the answer to these two questions is YES, then you can move onto the next step of relocating after retirement – finding your new home. You can do this alone buy checking all the listings and the market trends, or with the help of a real estate agent. If you are not experienced or simply do not have the desire to look for homes, it would be best to leave it to a professional. A real estate agent can help you find your dream home that suits all of your needs and, of course, your budget, in no time. Do not forget that the close-by amenities are just as important as your new home. Remember to tell your real estate agent what is most important to you. Do not hesitate to hire help even when it comes to movers – they can help you avoid common moving mistakes.
Make Sure Your New Home is Well-Equipped
While looking for your new home, either alone or with the help of your agent, you should not only worry about the amenities on the outside but about those on the inside of the house. And, what does that mean? Well, as we get older, moving and getting around the house is not going to be as easy as before, unfortunately. So, it is important to think about these things before you buy your new home and relocate. For example, you should make sure that your new home is equipped with all the amenities one elderly person might need. Those include grab bars in the bathroom, walk-in bathtub, adjustable bed, railings, adequate lighting, low vision aids, etc.
Hire a Moving Agency to Help You Out
Hopefully, by now, you have found your new home and equipped it with everything you need. The next step is to move out of your current home and move into your new one. Do not try to do this alone, as there is an easy way to transport your items with the help of others. If you are on a budget, ask your friends and family members to help you out. And, if you have some money to spare, simply hire a moving agency. Movers are trained and experienced people who will be able to relocate everything safely and in no time. Your only job would be to say what needs to be packed and relocated, and what should be left (sold, donated, or thrown away).
Moreover, you will not have to worry about all the packing materials, moving trucks, and begging for people to help you out. Just make sure you hired a trusted agency, as moving scams are very common.
What to Do After You Settle in
Once you are finished relocating after retirement, do not let your helpers leave just yet. Ask everybody to help you with unpacking and preparing your new home. Then, go outside and check out where all the amenities you might need are located. Better to be safe than sorry. After you finish with that task, introduce yourself to your new neighbors. Making friends never stops, so make an effort. Who knows, maybe they will become your new best friends. And, that is basically it. The rest is up to you. But, whatever you do, just make sure you have lots of fun. Use your free time the best you can – travel, explore, or even start a hobby you always wanted but never had the time for.