How to Select the Perfect Retirement Location

How to Select the Perfect Retirement Location

One of the chief benefits retirement offers is the opportunity to live wherever you want. No longer saddled with professional commitments that keep them tied to a specific area of the country, retirees can move just about anywhere their golden-years hearts desire. Head for the beach! Head for the country! Head for a lower cost of living!

To be sure, more goes into the decision that just savings and scenery. Retirees would be wise to ponder a wide range of elements before coming to a final decision regarding where to spend their final years. Here are some important factors to weigh as you work to identify your ideal retirement destination.

Keep It Safe: Personal safety becomes an increasingly important concern as people grow older and feel more vulnerable. Toward that end, research the relevant crime and economic data for each location on your retirement shortlist. Bear in mind that crime rates can very dramatically in different sections of the same city.

Dollars and Sense: Retirement usually comes with a fixed income so the cost of living must play a central role in deciding where you will to retire. In determining what you can afford, make sure to factor in as many specifics as possible from your anticipated living situation, such as whether you will buy or rent, or whether you will operate your own car or rely on public transportation.

Sunny Days Ahead: It’s hardly news to note that many people choose to retire in warmer clients — just look at Florida and Arizona. And it is true that wintry weather conditions present a greater challenge as people age, whether it involves undue exertion shoveling snow or the danger of slipping on an icy surface. There are, however, other factors to consider, such as the fact older cities in chillier climates are usually more vibrant and provide more services. Retirees will want to weigh these pros and cons carefully.

The Doctor Is In: Access to healthcare might not seem crucial early in retirement but that will change as the years pass. Indeed, the availability of good doctors, quality hospitals and decent, affordable assisted living facilities and nursing homes might well become deciding factors in your life. Investigate the services available in any potential retirement location.

Fun, Fun, Fun: Retirement provides abundant time to pursue personal passions, so check to see whether your potential destination supports the things that you like to do. Think about such amenities as art house movie theaters, farmers’ markets or a church of your denomination. And what about the activities you plan to participate in as you enjoy retirement? If you play a musical instrument, find out if there are bands or orchestras you can join and opportunities to perform; if you enjoy fine dining, check out the local restaurant scene.

Good Neighbor Policy: An engaging social life is one of the most important components of a happy retirement. If you prefer to socialize with other retirees, you may want to move to a 55+ active adult community or live in a city that has a larger senior population. If you prefer to socialize with people of various ages who have similar interests to yours, you can look into Meetup groups and read local publications to get a feel for what social opportunities are available.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.