Where to Next??

    By Penelope Folsom

Recently my good friend Joan moved into a retirement community. Asked why she had made that choice, she said she and her husband carefully considered all the different options and for them, it was the right thing. Both she and Dick, her husband of more than 50 years, were done with yard upkeep, kid upkeep, pet upkeep, house upkeep and all that goes with it. Joan said it’s all good, they’ve been forced to scale down, which they’d been thinking of but somehow hadn’t gotten to. They also answered the big question: Did they want to continue maintaining a no-longer-needed four-bedroom home in a lovely family community?

Now they’re done talking about that part of their lives and figuring out the next step.

As they found out, there are many fine living options out there, not limited to the list below, but here are few that might be worth considering:

•Move into a retirement community. Take advantage of the wonderful recreational opportunities offered such as onsite golf courses, tennis courts and walking trails. Entertainment is often available to include various excursions with transportation provided. Someone else mows the lawn while you’re taking the time to enjoy like-minded friends. Choices include renting or buying. Most retirement communities offer as much companionship and fun as you care to take part in. Many also offer care until the end. Not a bad deal.

•Pack up and move near the kids and grandkids. Have a chat first to be sure their plan is to stay put and that they’ll welcome the move. Maybe start by renting in the area for a few months to get an idea of whether or not it’s where you could comfortably settle.

•Consider having two smaller homes. Choose two different locations. Perhaps a small condo in Florida and a summer cottage on Cape Cod or Maine.

•    Stay put. Aging in place may be as close to ideal as it’s going to get. Outside help can be hired to assist with upkeep. If you’re

         content in your own private home, why not modify the layout with a bedroom on first floor, for example. Or if you know you’re happiest in your own single family home, perhaps scaling down to something smaller in the same area would work for a more carefree lifestyle.

•Sell it all. Buy an RV or that boat you’ve always wanted. Move in and consider the move temporary if it makes you more comfortable. Then go ahead and enjoy a year or two of carefree travel, maybe even in your travels discovering your eventual retirement location.

•Combination. No need to limit life to an RV. How about a small apartment near the kids or in a senior-friendly area as a place to spend the holidays or to take a break from the road trips. Enjoy the rest of the time out on the road exploring all those places you’d been meaning to visit.

Consider the options and choose the one that will fit your lifestyle,

remembering that nothing has to be permanent. The possibilities are endless and can be tailored to your needs. Now that you have the time to do the research, what are you waiting for? For more help in making your decision, go to www.7thlifetime.com/7-steps-choose-where-live-retirement/

 

Please support OutLook by the Bay with a subscription.

OutLook by the Bay magazine and this website are made possible through the support of our advertisers and subscribers. We guarantee you’ll learn something new each issue. Please subscribe today.