Retirement move: essential tips
Retiring should be one of life’s great moments; finally you have the time to relax and wind down from the pressures of working. Many people chose to move to a new home when retiring, usually to an area they’ve always wanted to visit. However, not enough people take the time to really consider what it’s like to live in a different location as a retiree, usually failing to pick a property that will suit them in later years. To help you prepare for your move, we’ve put together a small guide filled with answers to key questions and essential tips:
Does your income go far in a new location?
Assuming you’re not moving to a new country, it is important you make sure your income or retirement plan covers what you need. The last thing you want is to find yourself unable to afford any comforts because you’re spending it all on necessities. This won’t affect every retiree, although budgeting is something most people need to consider when choosing a new home.
If you aim to retire abroad, then budgeting is especially important. Particularly if you’re moving from countries with free healthcare, something that isn’t the case for the majority of countries around the world. You will need to allocate enough funding to pay for any medical care you may need, or look into an international medical care plan.
Comforts are a big part of enjoying retirement as well, so be sure to think about costs for things like meals out, leisure clubs, day trips etc. For your convenience, we have created an international relocation checklist that you can click here to download. Tick the boxes when you’re done, save it, then return to the checklist whenever you need.
Will you miss your current home?
Sometimes retiring brings about a desire for change, which can be one of the most positive aspects of moving home. You should be aware of the things you might miss though, whether it’s a particular local event or cuisine. Factor in how important the things you’ll leave behind are, and whether or not you think you could live without them in a new destination. This is something international retirees need to pay close attention to. Sunning yourself in Spain is a great way to enjoy the good life once you’ve retired, but if you miss home too much it could sap the fun out of the experience.
Resilience to change differs from person to person, so take stock of your own adaptability and work out how you would deal with something like water shortage, for example. If you’re moving abroad and want to understand your new home’s local area, our orientation tour is a great option. With it, you will be connected to a professional tour guide who will paint a comprehensive picture of the best nearby amenities, cultural attractions and more. Simply let us know what you want in a local area and we will help create a bespoke itinerary.
What about missing friends and family?
Many people spend years building up a group of friends, making moving away from them a difficult choice. The same goes for family; for example it is far easier driving to visit for Christmas than flying during what is already one of the busiest times of the year. There are ways to make it easier though, such as inviting your family out for a holiday. Technology these days makes it much simpler to keep in touch as well, with things like video calling becoming popular across all age groups.
Another way to deal with missing loved ones is to join a local community or activities group. Chances are there’ll be other retirees there in the same boat as you, so approach socialising with an open mind and you might just make a friend for life. For more information on dealing with missing friends and family, read our blog post here.
Is your new home suitable for retirement?
Retirement should be about taking it easy and relishing life in the slow lane. It shouldn’t be about having to make concessions in your day-to-day living experience. This is what can happen if you move to a property or country that isn’t suitable for a retiree. That villa on top of a cliff might seem like the dream retirement home, but the flight of medieval stairs has the potential to become a real challenge later on. If possible, try to find a middle ground between what you want in a home, and its accessibility.
Suitable properties aren’t judged purely on location either; it is important you find a place with enough activities to keep you interested throughout retirement. How you fill your days is up to you of course, so take your own personal needs into account when property searching. Think about what works for you; do you want a bustling retirement in a new city? Or what about the tranquillity of a countryside retreat? We are more than happy to help if you have any questions.
Whatever you need for a seamless retirement move, we have the expertise to make it a reality. We are Santa Fe Relocation, your one-stop moving company. We make moving home easy for you.
