Retirement the chapter in life that we all work towards. No matter how we choose to live life, we need to ensure that our sunset years are just as eventful and exciting, and most importantly, secure, as the rest of our lives. Think of it this way, you have worked hard your whole life, and now is the time for you to relax, rest, and enjoy the fruits of your earnings without working restrictions. But, you still have to make some important decisions before you can get your “retirement on” and the more important item is whether or not you want to move.
There are so many pros when it comes to moving after your retirement. We will list the more important ones just to warm you up:
Moving is expensive - so is it worth it? The answer to that question lies in the long term savings that a potential move could bring. Ideally, when you retire, you no longer want to be working - so your retirement fund has to last, and has to cover those unexpected costs. So moving from one state to another, as your lifestyle changes really makes financial sense, particularly when the state that you're planning to retire in has lower taxes, cheaper housing and an overall lower cost of living.
Wherever you're moving, there are some super hacks to saving money. A great example is the time of year - you see, peak moving season happens during the summer, this is because school is out, and people have time to move. However, this also means that it is a lot more expensive during the summer. Therefore, a great way to save money is to move between August and March. This will save you a lot and since you would not be held down by your work or school terms you can move during a more affordable time.
And, you can also opt to move to a much cheaper area when it comes to the cost of living. Not only in terms of house prices but also terms of groceries, activities, taxes, etc. It would also be a good idea to downsize your home to make it more convenient for you to live in. You probably don't need the extra space anymore.
So, why not look for something comfy and smaller that is easier to look after without taking up a lot of your time? The benefit of downsizing. And, also look at retirement villages that can give you a home, as well as stuff to do.
People often move to places that are closer to their work. This means that you may have moved to a city that is too expensive, congested, busy or simply has bad weather. When you retire, you can move to a location that better suits your climate-loving needs. Do you like the sun? Then Florida is the place for you. How about some snow? Check out Alaska. The thing is that the world is now open to you and you can choose the climate of your dreams.
One last thing, moving to the right climate can help with allergies and lighten your mood.
Another benefit to moving after retirement is that you can pick up new hobbies or go back to old ones. You can do this in your current home, but why not have a fresh start to do something else? You can garden, knit, create, play games, etc. With more space even if it is smaller you can do something with your free time. And since you are no longer limited by your job, you will have a lot more time to do a lot more fun stuff.
Plus, some states have a lot of cultural events and buildings for you to visit. Such as parks, museums, group activities and a lot to keep yourself entertained as well as to meet like-minded people.
Furthermore, having a fresh start can be a new chapter in your life, even after retirement. There is a whole new world to explore so why not pick up your roots and throw them into a new home? It is an adventure where you can meet adventurers to have fun with, learn from, you can still do that and even gather new skills. It is never too late to learn, even if you do know it all, and a new chapter is exciting.
Whenever there are pros there are cons. But, the cons can be turned into pros with the right mindset.
There could be a huge possibility that you have lived in your home forever, and the idea of moving away from family and friends can be an unnerving one. This is a normal emotion. And, while this is a major con, there can be positives in it. You can experience a new state and place.
Furthermore, you can get your friends and family to come to visit you if you move to somewhere that is also new for them. You can think of it as you are forever living in their holiday home. This means when it is vacation time they have a place to travel to where they can stay rent-free. Also, keep in mind that you are not a tree and your roots can move wherever you want them to be.
Many people are not fans of change. But, it is worth it for the adventure, even if it is a calming one to experience. Moving to another state can be a great way to see the world in a new light. Furthermore, as we have pointed out, you can meet new people who are in the same boat as you. And, depending on where you move to, you can also get a boat.
The options are endless as long as you are safe and happy. While relocation costs can be a hassle there are many companies that can help you with all of that. Be it domestic relocation, international relocation, or interstate relocation. A new start can be just what you need to start your retirement on the right foot.
While it can be both incredibly stressful and expensive to move, it does not have to be. Shyft is there to help you every step of the way - all they need is a short, contactless video call, and they can source multiple prices from reliable and verified movers. Best of all Shyft manages your entire move for you. And if you need some advice or a friendly face to help you in the decision making process, choosing a state or getting amazing discounts - look no further than Shyft's great marketplace - or AARP, the number one platform for retirees in the US. And if you are worried about meeting like-minded people, the AARP community is there for you.
There are plenty of pros and cons to moving after retirement, but the pros can outweigh the cons. The point is that you want to move to a place that is suited to your new needs, be it financially, aging, space, etc. You can also opt to move back to your hometown if you moved away when you were younger due to work or family. Either way, you no longer have to hold back nor limit your time to certain expensive peak seasons.
One of the best states that many people opt to retire to is Florida. Nicknamed the Sunshine State, this one has been a refuge for many retirees. It has the second-hottest temperatures with many places that you can cool off in. Furthermore, the population of Florida is 21 percent 65 and older. Making it the second-largest state with that type of population. Meaning that the chances of you meeting people in the same boat as you is quite high.
If you are looking for an even cheaper place to live in, in terms of the cost of living, then give Tennessee a look. This state is ranked number one in affordability due to its below-average costs. As well as having a small cost for taxes including the local and state.
Missouri is also affordable when it comes to the cost of living. Plus, it hosts a moderate climate making the season enough for you to handle.
Now if you want to spend a bit more money then you can take a look at Massachusetts. While it can be expensive, the upside of this state for retirees is that it ranks number one in terms of wellness which is also an important category when looking at where to retire.
Another very affordable state is Georgia. It is ranked about third when it comes to affordability and it too has light tax burdens which is something to always be looking for when wanting to move after retirement.
However, when it comes to moving you should make your own pros and cons list comparing your favorite states. The above is just a guide but it all depends on where you want to live for the rest of your life. You can look at:
As long as you make an informed decision then you will be fine. Moving often means getting another mortgage unless you can pay outright for the new home. It can also take a physical toll as well, with all the packing, moving, and transporting, and later, the maintenance that comes with a new home. Many retirees prefer to age in place or move to a small retirement community where all the maintenance is taken care of for them.
However, if you do decide to move then we would strongly recommend that you check out AARP and Shyft to help you with your move as well as save you even more money.
AARP is a non-profit organization whose main and only goal is to “fight for and equip each individual to live their best life” when it comes to those that are over 50 years of age. They give out information, as well as opt to give lower costs when it comes to medications. Furthermore, they offer caregivers when needed.
AARP is also very committed to health and fitness for people over 50. They have donated outdoor fitness parks for people with a wide range of abilities. And they provide and aim to provide safer, walkable streets, as well as age-friendly housing and transportation options. Not to mention access to needed services, and opportunities to participate in community life. They want to make life for retirees or over 50 years olds to be more comfortable, safe, fun, cost-effective, and happier. You can read more about the organization here in their free AARP ebook.
Plus, they also have taken a turn in creating a senior dating app as well as have organized a few gatherings in the past before the pandemic. Hopefully, a few more will be coming soon, so become a member and keep your eyes out for the information. While AARP is a great resource and help when it comes to certain activities and costs, you would still need to get to your new home and this is where...
Shyft is easy to use, and you would be talking to a living, breathing human being whose face you can see.
Shyft works like your very own moving organizer. When you work with Shyft, a Move Assistant takes on all the hassles and organization of moving. Be it from state to state, country to country, or city to town. Your Move Assistant is there to assess your requirements, see the items you need to move, find you multiple quotes from movers and best of all, they ensure that the movers are reliable. They're here to help you every single step of the way.
It starts with a video call where you can see and meet them. From here they will make your inventory lists as well as send them back to you to check within half an hour. Furthermore, this call happens at a time that is suited to you, not them. Shyft is here to serve, not complicate.
Then Shyft will go through the effort of finding you not one moving company but to gather and give you three different quotes from three different moving companies that want to take on your job. Furthermore, these quotes are guaranteed with no hidden costs. And your Move Assistant can also give you information, tips, and advice to make your relocation run as smoothly as possible. Even more so with Shyft on your side.
Also if you are looking to buy new stuff like a mattress or even a house you can check out their home and lifestyle tab on their easy-to-use site. It is also here where you can save a lot of money due to their discounts. Plus, your new items get delivered to your new home.
The whole process of working with Shyft can save you up to about 600 USD. Your Move Assistant can also be connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week. So you would not be handling the move all alone.
Therefore, with AARP and Shyft, moving after retirement is something to look forward to. With their help and guidance, it is an easier process than it ever was before. If you do decide to move, make sure you have all the information before you make that big decision. And stay safe.
