Should you move after retirement?

Moving after retirement seems like the logical choice – once you hang up your hat, there is nothing to stop you from packing up and moving to your dream location: be it someplace warm or someplace green, someplace cheap or someplace fun. You can choose the perfect setting for the next chapter of your life and enjoy your golden years the way you’ve always wanted.

Moving to a new town in retirement is the perfect opportunity to improve your financial situation, get better health care options, live closer to family, revel in milder climate, pursue your favorite leisure activities, and so much more.

On the other hand though, you may be quite happy where you are – you may love your town, your home, and your lifestyle; you may like the climate and enjoy the available recreational and entertainment options in your area; you may have a lot of friends and family living nearby; etc.

So, should you move to a new place when you retire or stay put? To make the right choice for your particular situation, you need to know the pros and cons of moving after retirement and take several important considerations into account:

Financial considerations

Most people assume that moving in retirement helps reduce housing and living expenses and boosts one’s financial status. This may be true if:

• You’re living in an expensive city. Selling your home in your high-cost city and buying an affordable property in a town with significantly lower housing costs could put a lot of money in your pocket. If your new area has a lower cost of living, you will be able to save on living expenses as well. Moving to a state with lower property taxes and/or income taxes will also help improve your finances;
• You have more space than you need. Selling your large family house (and all the furnishings you no longer need) and moving to a smaller home will not only bring you some extra cash, but will also result in lower utility bills, maintenance costs, and property taxes. Downsizing in retirement can be a great way to cut living costs and maintenance work (See also: Benefits of moving to a smaller home);
• Your house is not safe enough or comfortable enough for a senior. Modifying your current home to accommodate your changing needs and ensure your comfort and safety as you age may be extremely difficult and very expensive. Moving to a more senior-friendly home (a single-level home with a stepless entryway, slip-resistant flooring, walk-in shower, etc.) in a community that has plenty of transportation options and easy access to all kinds of services will save you a lot of money, effort, and troubles.

Keep in mind though that selling your house and purchasing a new one takes plenty of time and involves a lot of hassle. There are also a lot of associated costs and fees that will eat away at your profit. And if you choose to rent a property in your new area rather than buy one (so you have less responsibility and greater flexibility), you’ll end up paying a significant amount in rent each month. (See also: Should you rent or buy a house when moving to a new city)

When retiring and moving away, you will need to budget for the cost of moving as well. Depending on the distance to your new home, the number of items you have for moving, and the type of moving services you need, your relocation may cost you anywhere from $500 to $8,000. (See also: What is the average cost to hire movers; How to estimate your moving costs)

Family considerations

One of the most important things to consider when thinking about moving after retirement is whether your relocation will bring you closer or farther away from your family.

1) Moving closer to family after retirement

Moving near your children or grandchildren can bring lots of joy – and a sense of purpose – to your life in retirement. You’ll be able to see your loved ones on a regular basis and enjoy time together as a family; you’ll be able to help raise your grandkids and build a close-knit relationship with them; and your family will be there to support you when you need it, as well.

Good to know: If you’re moving to be closer to your children, it’s important to find out how likely your family is to stay put – what if they need to relocate in a couple of years due to a job transfer, for example?

2) Moving away from family

If you live in the same area as your family, moving to another state for retirement could be very difficult emotionally. Modern day technology will help you stay in touch with your loved ones, but it’s not the same as seeing them in person, spending time together, or giving your grandchildren a hug. Your children and grandchildren may not be able to visit you often and it may be very expensive and logistically difficult for you to travel to see them. You may end up feeling lonely in your new area, no matter how wonderful it may be. What’s more, you’ll have no family members nearby to count on, if you need help.

Social considerations

Moving in retirement can mean leaving not only family, but also friends and social groups behind. You may be able to make new friends in your new area, of course, but you will certainly miss your old pals and your trusted social circle. (See also: How to make new friends after moving)

Remaining in your community, on the other hand, will allow you to stay among people you know and love – you’ll keep your support network intact and will have someone to rely on and have fun with at all times.

Weather considerations

The weather is one of the main reasons for moving to another state after retirement – people who have spent years in cold and rainy areas want to relocate to a warmer climate, people who are sick of the scorching heat of the southern states wish for a cooler weather, people with respiratory problems seek out drier climates, people with limited mobility need to get away from snow and ice, etc.

Moving to a place with year-round mild climate can be very beneficial for aging adults as it leads to a healthier lifestyle (increased levels of Vitamin D in the body, less frequent infections and diseases, more opportunities for outdoor pursuits, etc.) and fewer troubles (safer traffic, less home maintenance work, no need for winter equipment and gear, etc.)

See also: Should I move to a warmer climate?

Healthcare considerations

Medical care is another big issue you need to consider before deciding to move to a new place after retirement. As much as you may want to move to the countryside, for example, having to drive for several hours to see a doctor will be a great problem – you need easy access to quality medical care.

Considering that senior citizens spend about 15% of their household income on medical expenses, it’s essential to live in an area with affordable healthcare as well.

Good to remember: Seeing the same doctor for years is very beneficial for your health – your current physician knows your health history and your specific health needs and can provide you with the best possible treatment. If you move someplace new, you’ll have to find a new doctor and it will take time before they get to know you well. (See also: How to find a new doctor after moving)

Lifestyle considerations

When you stop working, you have the chance – at last – to do what you want to do with your life. Depending on your preferred lifestyle, you can move to a big city (so you can enjoy the colorful, dynamic city life and have access to a wide variety of services, recreational and entertainment options, cultural events, etc.) or to a small rural town (so you can enjoy a peaceful life close to nature and have access to various outdoor activities), to the mountains (so you can enjoy clean air and water and go mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, fishing, or just walking in the woods whenever you feel like it) or to a beach town (so you can enjoy the ocean and spend hours sipping drinks on the beach), etc.

Retiring and moving to another state will add adventure to your life, give you numerous opportunities, bring you closer to desirable amenities, and let you create the lifestyle you’ve always wanted for yourself.

Yet, you need to remember that moving to a different location will take you out of your comfort zone – you will have to brave the unknown and deal with all the great changes that moving will bring to your life.

Last but not least, you may love your home and not want to leave your safe haven, full of cherished memories, no matter how many benefits moving after retirement may offer.

So, should you move after retirement? There is no right or wrong answer – it all depends on what will make you happy.

If you want to move though, don’t be intimidated by the arduous relocation process – hiring professional movers will take all the stress and hassle out of your move. The pros will do all the hard work for you and will ensure the safety and efficiency of your moving adventure – so you can enjoy your retirement years in your chosen location without experiencing any relocation difficulties.