Relocation and retirement can go hand-in-hand like an ice-chilled drink on a warm summer’s day. So much so, that many people who retire often opt to relocate to someplace that is more suited to their new needs. When you retire, you are not limited by the distance to the office. Instead, you can choose where you want to live, be it closer to family, a sunny climate, or a childhood home. Before you pack your bags and head out the door here are 10 things you should think about before you relocate for your retirement.
When looking into the place that you want to move to for retirement you should take into account healthcare. This is not only in terms of quality hospitals and medical centers, which are important, but also in terms of nursing facilities, and assisted living if need be.
You must research the situation and see what they have to offer, how close are the hospitals to your new home, and what is the traffic like in the area. You should also take note of the cost and what your health insurance can cover.
Health insurance is something that can be gained over time certainly when it comes to employer-provided health insurance. It is important to prepare your health insurance before you make a move, certainly if you plan on moving to another country. If you decide to retire before 65 years old, then you are not eligible for Medicare in the US.
Likewise, if you do not have employer-provided health insurance, then you would have to make another plan. The cost of health insurance varies from state to state, and country to country. The number of health insurance plans that you can get depends on if you qualify for a subsidy from the government and will be purchasing your insurance on your state’s healthcare exchange.
This is why health insurance research is key in knowing what you need to do to qualify for it. Keep in mind that the rules are different within each state and place. It would be wise to speak to a professional before you decide on which health insurance you are going to use.
While you get older does not mean your activities have to decrease. Instead, you can still be active by joining clubs, and organizations, or even taking on a new hobby. It is, therefore, important that you know what the city you want to move into has to offer you. Another thing you should consider is transportation for people with mobility challenges.
New places and activities are worthwhile to get into, but you may always want to go somewhere that is familiar to you. Such as a favorite store, or coffee place. You should research what type of places you will have access to from your new home. You can do this by searching online or doing the fun thing of taking a trip to the place. The latter will let you explore the potential new home area, and what is around or nearby it.
You can even find your new favorite place, a place similar to one that you love, or the exact same thing. This is not only for stores, and coffee but also theaters, cinemas, farmers’ markets, etc. You would have to decide if you can live without your favorite store. Well, you can, but would it be as comfortable?
Traveling can be a great hobby if you can afford it. There are many discounts when it comes to flights, trains, or buses. You will want to live near a public transport place if you plan to grab the discounts and travel around. This can also be a benefit if you plan on having family and friends travel over.
Cutting down the travel time between your home and public transport is great to decrease stress and save you a lot of time. This counts for your family and friends too.
Looking towards the future is something you have been doing when it comes to planning your retirement. It does not stop there, and you would have to look forward to trying to predict which direction the city or town you want to live in is heading. Will it be prosperous in the future or on the decline? There are a few ways you can tell such as:
It would also be worthwhile to research the population growth of the place, and the income it can bring. You are trying to predict the future in a sense, but it is only an educated estimate. You should do this to figure out if you are okay with the future of the city or town you want to retire in.
Amenities should be available and nearby to support your lifestyle. These can be your current hobbies as well as new ones. Such as if there are art stores nearby for you to do your artwork, or if you play an instrument is there a band you can join, etc.?
Likewise, you would want to know what else is there to do in the city such as museums, art galleries, cinemas, malls, hiking trails, parks, golf courses, etc. You would also want to check out what adult classes you can take while living in a certain place for your retirement.
This question can determine what age group you would want to be around for your retirement. Do you want same-aged people with some shared experiences? Then you may want to opt for an active adult community. Are you someone who does not mind being around those in a different range from yourself as long as you have something in common? Then you may want to check out meet-up groups or Facebook groups to find common interests.
Living within a retirement community may be a good idea since you can keep up with them without feeling bad, and they get you.
House hunting is a key aspect of finding a forever retirement home. You would want to account for your current and future age. Stairs, for example, are often not people’s friends when they get older. So, living in a one-story home would be ideal.
Also, the yard. If you have a green thumb, then a yard would be great for you. A large one not so much since it will take a lot of time and effort to maintain. The size of your home is also something to account for since smaller can be better in terms of maintenance and costs.
Regardless of where you live you know that there are fees and rules that you must keep to. The fees can come in the terms of the home, health care, and property. You should research and speak to a professional about all the fees that you will or may come across.
Likewise, certain communities or areas can have a few rules that you have to abide by. It would be wise to familiarize yourself with these before you make a move to see if you want to handle/ live by them.
While you may have quite a bit to consider, another question that you should also ask yourself is if Shyft should aid you with your moving process. AARP® Moving Services powered by Shyft specializes in organizing the entire moving process for their clients. Shyft will take your moving needs into account and give you comprehensive coverage that is suited to your individual needs. You can learn more by visiting the site or having a phone conversation by reaching out to 1-888-838-5981 where a real-life person will answer all your questions.
The process of working with Shyft goes as follows: You reach out to Shyft, and a Move Coach (representative) will call you at the time that you want to be called. The Move Coach is a person whose goal and purpose are to guide you throughout the moving process, while also putting you at ease.
This call is not a traditional one, in that you would have to download the Shyft Next. It is a free mobile app that works both on Android and iPhones. It is easy to use, and it serves two functions. The first is the video call where you get to meet your Move Coach and ask them everything you want to know. The second function is that the app can help your Move Coach create your inventory list for you.
For your Move Coach to create your inventory list you would have to give them a virtual tour of your current homes. This is done by aiming your mobile camera at what you want to move with you, and your Move Coach does the rest. It is very easy, so much so that you just have to take an image of one drawer or cupboard for the app to get the full picture. The app is secure.
When your video call is done, you will receive this inventory list within half an hour on average. The list is already 95% accurate, but you can make it 100% so. You can remove items, add pieces, and even leave notes on what is important for the pieces. When you are pleased with your 100% accurate inventory list, you send it to your Move Coach.
When your Move Coach has your updated inventory list, they will present it along with only your moving information to Shyft’s secure move board. The latter excludes all personal information. The Moveboard is where experienced, licensed, and vetted (by Shyft) moving companies can bid on moving gigs which can include yours.
After all is said and done, Shyft will collect three or more moving quotes where each quote is from a different mover. The quotes are presented to you along with information about the individual company. This is done so that you can make an informed decision on which company you want to work with for your moving process.
You tell Shyft your choices, and they will lock down the mover as soon as possible. As an AARP member you can save up to $250 on your move with Shyft.
If you have any concerns or questions, you can contact Shyft seven days a week to receive peace of mind. All your questions will be answered, and all your concerns will be taken into account and looked after. Contact Shyft today to learn more before you answer this bonus question.
