8 questions to answer before making a big move

Retirement is often what starts the process of downsizing and moving from your long time home but that isn’t always the case.  As many of us have learned during this quarantine we can work from home or we get really bored without a structure and routine.   

Will you really be happy in a new location? The answer will vary from person to person. What are you looking for? Will that relocation add to or subtract from your quality of life?

With your happiness in mind, consider the following eight questions before you finalize a major move.

How will you fill your days?

Weekends always seem to come and go quickly, but with nothing to do all day when not working – days can seem endless. “What will I do all day?”, is a seemingly simple question that many people forget to ask themselves before retiring and relocating to enjoy their retirement year.  Some of you may not retire but work more from home or try something new that brings you passion. 

Making the decision to move may be difficult if you have an active social life. For those of you who may be workaholics who only drive from home to the office and back, moving may be quite a bit easier.  The hard part will be what will be your new passion. 

Has the hustle and bustle of city life exhausted you? Do you dream of moving to the country to enjoy the peace and quiet?  On the flip side, are you bored to death living in the county and yearn for the excitement of city life?

Additionally, beach life dreamers should keep in mind that while beach towns are great for vacations, they may not be as appealing during winter months. They may also lack nightlife and cultural experiences. Think about your hobbies and whether or not you will still be able to participate in and enjoy those hobbies in the new location.

Will it be difficult to visit family or will there be too much closeness?

If the majority of your family lives in one part of the country this may make your choice of location easier.  Do you want to be close enough to drive to visit on holidays or maybe see your grandchildren more often.  Some folks, for a variety of reasons, will make the choice to purposely put more miles between themselves and their families. For some people the saying “absence makes the heart grow fonder” applies to family. 

The pandemic taught us we can connect through technology but is that enough for you and is it really the same as face-to-face time in person.

You also need to consider how likely you family is likely to stay put.  You don’t want to make a move just to be closer to family just to have them relocate due to a job change.

Is renting an option?

If you are moving somewhere new, you may want to consider renting for at least a little while. That will give you the most flexibility if you change your mind or perhaps pick the wrong neighborhood. It may seem crazy to those who have owned homes their entire adult lives to end up renting but it can make sense in some circumstances. 

Renting allows you to figure out where in the town you fit. It also gives you time to see whether or not you can handle the weather year round that comes with a new hometown. Renting also relieves the stress of home maintenance.

Downsizing can be a great way to cut costs and responsibility but be careful not to get too ambitious on how small a place you can handle. Renting offers the flexibility to upsize or further downsize, if needed. It also makes it easier to move again if you find that another location would be better, for whatever reason. 

Will you have easy access to medical care?

Medical care is often one of the biggest issues when planning a move.  That country estate may look gorgeous, but the three-hour drive to see a doctor may not be ideal. Depending on your personal life circumstances that may be a bigger or smaller concern. 

If you’re considering a move abroad, will doctors accept your U.S. health insurance or Medicare? Will you get quality treatment for your current and future medical ailments?  Finding a great doctor is hard enough in a big city and other parts of the U.S. Living in a foreign country can present an additional layer of challenges.

What makes you happy?

What makes you happy? If you like to start your day with coffee and the newspaper will you have access to an actual newspaper, in English.  Are you fine with getting you news digitally.  

Museums? Theater? Skiing? The Beach? Friends? Dining? Volunteering? What makes you happy? Will these be available in your new town?

Who will you spend time with?

No matter what stage in life you are interaction with other people is important.  Even for the introverts among us we need some folks who we can relate to.  How will you find kindred spirits?  If you move to be closer to family what happens if they decide to leave the area?

As we age isolation can be a real problem.  It’s important to keep yourself active and doing things that allow you to interact with people. That can include exercise, volunteer and travel groups to name a few.

What is wrong with where I call home now?

Why are you considering a move at all.  Is the grass really greener somewhere else? You have likely spent years, or even decades, building friendships and a community in one place. While some may dream of moving to a beach town or warmer climate, what will they be leaving behind? How much time will you actually spend at the beach or hiking in the mountains?  You can make new friends in your new town, but that will take time and effort. 

You may also have to make some changes to the interior and exterior space to accommodate aging in place.  There are lots of resources such as me, contractors, landscape designers who can help you with some ideas.

Can I afford to move?

Depending on where you live, this question may be “Can I afford to move” or “Can I afford to stay where I am?”  With good planning and working with a financial planner you can answer these questions.  Some folks decide to do both by being “snowbirds” or living in motor homes. If retirement is part of the plan be sure to be realistic when asking the questions, can you afford to make the move, how far will your housing dollars go in a more expensive city, how long will they last if you live by the beach?  You may decide to do a hybrid move, such as spending a few years in Southern CA or Manhattan while you are still working and then “retire” to a cheaper locale. You do have options and can be creative. The key is to have a plan so you don’t end up flat broke at the age of 85.

Ultimately, the decision to move will likely be an emotional and financial choice. Where will you be the happiest? Where will your money go the furthest? Think long and hard before pulling the trigger on selling a home and moving across the county. Hopefully, the eight questions above will guide you towards the best decision for you.