Whether you are hoping to head south to warmer weather or stay relatively close to where you are currently living, picking a spot to retire is no easy task. There are so many considerations and individual factors that come into play. There is no one ‘’best’’ place, and with some careful consideration about your wants, needs and financial circumstances, you can find the best place for you. Taxes While some retirees venture into the online business world or still bring in some sort of income from other sources, many are totally relying on a set amount of money from social security and/ or retirement funds. When you have a certain amount of money to last the rest of your life, you need to put some careful thought into how you spend it. Taxes are an important consideration when choosing a retirement location. In the US, five states have no sales tax, seven do not tax income and two only tax dividend and interest; also check into property taxes and any tax exemptions for senior citizens. Available Activities When you are retired, you have a lot of free time on your hands and you want to spend it doing the things that make you happy. Think carefully about how you like to spend your time and research different locations thoroughly to determine if they can offer what you are looking for. If you really enjoy volunteering, are there ample opportunities? If continuing education is important to you, a college town would be a good choice—if you are leaning towards the south, and are interested in cheaper real estate Bowling Green Ky, a thriving college town of 52,000, may be a perfect choice. Health Considerations While you may feel healthy as a horse right now, the unfortunate reality is that you will likely experience a growing body of health concerns as you age. When considering a place to retire, do not just think of the immediate moment, but the whole span of your time in this location. You may not always be able to drive, so look for areas where there is lots of public transportation options or basic amenities like supermarkets are within walking distance. If you have problems with a specific area in the body, such as your heart or kidneys, check if there are specialists in the area that can treat you. Investigate the availability and quality of assisted living centers and nursing homes in the area. Family Considerations In evaluating your choices, you have to give careful thought to how close you want to be to family and friends. Some people cannot imagine living across the country from children and grandchildren, while others are okay with that if it means living in their dream location. This is something you really need to think about. While you always have the option to move back home (though this may be costly), you do not want to commit to living at a distance if you have serious reservations. About the Author: Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about tips to help people decide where to relocate. Photo Credit Google+
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