Where Will You Live in Retirement?
Your golden years are dawning like the bright chapter of a brand-new day. With all the excitement and opportunities available, you may find yourself wondering where to go next. The simple answer: Anywhere you’d like!
With a solid financial plan, you can explore many options available to you and find one that best suits your wants, needs, and financial realities.
Living Options
Other than staying in your life-long home, often the first thought that comes to mind is a Retirement Community. A Retirement Community offers a thriving centre of activity bustling with new friends and many activities to explore. You can opt for meals made for you or you can cook for yourself. New hobbies and skills are offered, in addition to card games and event evenings.
Retirement living pros include:
- Access to a community atmosphere of people who are in the same stage of life and enjoy the same activities as you.
- Medical staff on hand 24/7 in case of an emergency as well as three meals a day for you to enjoy.
Cons to consider are:
- Higher monthly expenses compared to other options.
- Substantial downsizing (furniture, keepsakes etc.) that goes with leaving family home.
Another avenue you might consider is a move to an apartment or condo. Downsizing your home doesn’t mean you have to downsize on life!
Apartment Pros include:
- No yard work.
- Privacy of a private home with simultaneous option to be social.
Cons to consider are:
- Possible regulations against pets.
- Possibility of noise and smells from close by neighbours.
- Downsizing your personal keepsakes and mementos.
If you’re not quite ready to say goodbye to your yard or the suburbs, relocating to a townhouse or could be the right move for you. Making the switch to a townhouse is a great investment as well as a great way to keep the independence and ambience of house living without having to cut your own grass or shovel your own driveway.
Townhome Pros include:
- Remain in private housing.
- Modern and updated conveniences.
- Continued independent lifestyle.
Cons to consider are:
- Older townhouses may not be easily retrofitted for an aging individual’s needs.
Perhaps you want to live the ultimate retiree’s dream and settle somewhere south. Moving south can be a great way to get where all the action is, or isn’t!
Quiet, peaceful serenity can be yours somewhere sunny and warm, and don’t worry. Your family will be making excuses to visit more often than you think!
You can even offset costs by renting during your off season.
Pros include:
- Warmer climate with a vacation type atmosphere.
- Maintain your independence.
- Maintain a healthy social life by living amongst a community of fellow retirees.
Cons to consider are:
- Distance from grandchildren and other loved ones.
- Requires a larger financial investment.
One final option to consider is deciding to continue living at home. You may decide to downsize to a one level, ranch style home. Adapting your home to suit your needs as you age comes with its own expenses, as well as paying someone to upkeep the yard, or the strain of continuing to do it yourself.
Service companies are responding with year-round exterior maintenance packages that allow those do not or cannot do the work themselves to out-source this activity.
Pros include:
- Familiar comforts and surroundings.
- Remain close to family and friends.
- Maintain your independence.
Cons to consider include:
- Commitment to household upkeep and repairs.
- May require renovations to adapt the house to your aging needs.
Planning for your retirement requires careful consideration and there are many viable options available. Taking the time to sort out your priorities in this stage of life can assist you to make a decision that will give you a life full of enjoyment and comfort.