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Where to Live When You Retire?
Posted: Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
Most people will be well advised to retire in the same general area in which they have lived and worked. But if you still want to relocate, then there are several things you'll need to give serious consideration to before making your final decision such as: What kind of climate are you looking for? Have you studied the weather statistics to determine the annual rainfall, snowfall, average temperature, extreme temperatures, etc. If you don't, the rainy season may be longer than you expected, and your golf clubs may mildew from lack of use. Intense humidity and heat may "wilt" your dreams of the balmy, carefree life away from snow and cold. How close is the proposed area to family, friends? Will they be able to visit as much as you'd like? Will the neighbors share your interests? Will you be able to find congenial friends? Is there a community spirit to which you can relate? What physical capacities and limitations do you have? Is transportation handy? Will you be near a shopping center? A church? Is the neighborhood zoned so that it won't deteriorate with the building of undesirable structures? Are there any nuisance operations nearby such as a factory, busy highway, railroad? Are there suitable recreational facilities? How about a library, theater, adequate and convenient hospitals? What about a church -- have you attended a service and met the minister and members of the congregations? Do you want to be an active part of it? Do living costs set limits as to where you can live? What about taxes? Will new schools and roads make them rise? If you need to supplement your retirement income, will this be possible in the proposed community? If you need help from the community or the state with social, economic, health or other problems, how difficult will it be to get it, as compared to where you live now? How do the taxes you have been paying compare with the taxes you will have to pay on your new home? What about legal considerations? If you are moving into a community property state, for instance, will you need to change your will and revise your estate disposition? Do you know how much more, or less, it will cost you to live there? Administer the "acid" test. Spend a week in the area during the worst weather period and attend as many functions and talk to as many people as you can, then make your decision.
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