Most people in their retirement years contemplate relocating to a different place for a change of environment, a new lifestyle, pursuit of a cheaper and comfier life, or to save money (especially when moving from Canada to the USA). Others relocate to be closer to their loved ones and social circle.
As a matter of fact, according to AARP, over 338,000 United States residents retired to a new home in 2023 (a 44% increase from 2022). Additionally, five states recorded the highest percentage of interstate moves made by retirees in 2023, with Florida at the top of the list with 11.1%.
5 Essential Factors Retirees Should Consider before Relocating
1. Rankings, reviews, and real stories about the place you want to move to
The number of best retirement destinations available online is endless, which can tempt most retirees to pack and go. Doing this, though, is your one ticket to having a regrettable moving experience. For example, the pictures you see online of various destinations might be too good to be true.
Unless you take time to investigate and look up rankings, reviews, and stories of people who have moved to the destination of your choice, you will move blindly and regret it later.
Correspondingly, experiencing something firsthand is the best way to rule out and make informed decisions. This will save you money and energy and help you avoid moving back home because of irrational decisions.
2. Your Financial Capability
Your financial situation plays a crucial role in a move. So, if you plan to relocate after retirement, here’s what to do:
- Review your savings and retirement accounts, such as your 401(k), pensions, and IRAs.
- If you don’t have the financial capability to support your move and the life after, consider liquidating your assets and investments, such as real estate.
- Create a budget of how much you will need for utilities, groceries and healthcare and check for potential extra costs like property taxes.
- Compare the cost of living in your current city and relocation destination and decide if it’s affordable.
- Assess if your long-term financial goals align with your move.
- Seek professional financial help and advice to analyze your current situation and make informed choices properly.
3. The difference between the destination as a vacationing place and as a residing place
Sometimes you may be tempted to visit a place for five to ten days before a move just to have a feel of the city and see if it is somewhere you can live after retirement. Well, to burst your bubble, a single prior visit may not give you a real feel of the place.
On one hand, you will get to familiarize yourself with the place but on the other hand you may not know everything about the area.
So what should you do? Visit the area four to six times or more, ensuring you experience winter, summer, autumn, and spring. This will help you decide if the climate and lifestyle of the place are something you can keep up with during your retirement years.
4. Availability of quality healthcare services
Does the place have professional and good doctors and nursing homes? Are the healthcare insurance costs something you can manage? Can you easily access high quality hospitals and assisted living facilities if need be? These are examples of questions you should ask yourself before deciding to relocate as a retiree.
Remember, as you grow, your health becomes a big priority, and you will need access to top-notch healthcare services to ensure timely medication attention.
Also, emergencies give no one time to prepare, which means having proximity to reputable hospitals, specialists, or healthcare facilities can help make a life-saving difference. So, ensure you research the availability of the available healthcare services and ways of easily accessing them.
5. Saving money is primary but not the end goal
Your move shouldn’t be solely about saving money. While it is okay to consider the low cost of living and the low taxes, your primary focus should be on how much the move will impact your life generally. Let’s be honest: You can save costs but have one hell of an experience living in your favorite summer-season destination.
You might think you are running away from high taxes and living costs only to be met with poor healthcare services, natural disasters like hurricanes, high utility costs, or high crime rates. Therefore, before you move, think of saving money, yes, but also think of how the relocation will affect your life entirely.
The Pros and Cons of Moving after Retirement
Pros
- It becomes easy to move closer to your family or friends.
- You can move to a place with a lower cost of living or downsize your home, hence saving money and enhancing your financial situation.
- You can find a house that meets your preferences and needs or relocate to a senior-friendly home for a comfortable stay.
- You have the liberty to live in a place where the weather meets your preferences.
- You can choose a place with access to quality healthcare services.
Cons
- The relocation process can take a toll on you primarily if you lack enough finances or people to help you move.
- You will miss your loved ones if you relocate to a different city.
- You’ll hardly have access to your current doctor, which means you will need to find another one in your new place.
- Adapting to a new environment will demand a new routine, lifestyle, friends and relationships, and much more.
Bottom Line
In summary, having a successful move after retirement depends on whether you plan yourself financially, weigh the pros and cons of the city you want to move to beforehand, and choose a place that aligns with your future goals.
