How to Choose the Best Fit for Retirement Housing

Joan B. Reid

50plus Magazine

 

When choosing the best fit for your home in retirement consider the following.

 

Climate

Moving from the Northwest, Northeast or Midwest to points south means sunnier, warmer weather and a radical change. Can you handle the heat, humidity or much drier air? What about wildlife, hiking in a desert or sitting at the beach? If so, retiring in a warm clime could be your paradise found.

 

Affordability

Talking dollars and sense. In addition to money, moving costs include time and effort. Will the move be worth it? Often people relocate to reduce a bevy of things, including: taxes, rental rates, cost of living, property square footage, utility bills, and home and garden maintenance. If all these sound like positives, then a move is worth considering.

 

Healthcare and Your Mobility

No one entirely escapes the effects of aging. Wherever you decide to live should have good healthcare. Will your Advance Medical Plan be accepted or will new doctors only accept Medicare? Will there be stairs difficult to navigate? Is your overall health good now or are you managing an illness requiring care? With the sunshine of retirement in your eyes, these questions can be easily overlooked.

 

Aging in Place – Family & Friends

Aging in place is not new. For centuries families remained close, even with three generations under one roof. Knowing neighbors over a lifetime, attending the same house of worship and being near family/friends all become major factors in deciding where to retire.

 

Whether you’re right where you’d like to be or considering a move, these tips provide food for thought in choosing your retirement home sweet home.