Once you are no longer tied to a job– that is where the real freedom in life begins. The transition to retirement can be challenging in some ways, but potentially can be of the best times of your life. You have all the time in the world to pursue your passions; you can move anywhere you want. Many people are drawn to retirement communities, which offer a variety of amenities, and recreational and social activities for residents. Being surrounded by other retirees gives you ample opportunity to make great new friends to share this phase of life with you. There is no shortage of communities to choose from, and it is a matter that deserves some careful thought, not a decision to be made on a whim. Here are some important points to consider for choosing your new home. Prioritizing Needs and Wants in Retirement The first step in choosing the right community is getting clear on what you want and need during this phase of life. If you are married, you and your spouse should make separate lists to be compared later on. Think about climate, cost of living, access to shopping, proximity to the beach or other outdoor activities important to you, amenities you would want on offer in the community, the type of people you want to surround yourself with, how close you want to be to friends and family, how close you want to be to other housing options you may need in the future, such as assisted living. The clearer the picture, the easier it is to narrow down the choices. Financial Considerations Whether or not a move to a retirement community makes sense financially will depend on your individual preferences, financial situation and where you are thinking about moving. The types of communities out there and what they offer varies widely. You will find many that are a bit older, but include golf and other amenities for a very low monthly fee, maybe a mere 100 dollars. Your home may not be as new, but the house will be cheap and you are getting a slew of amenities that would cost a lot more if you secured them individually on your own. Then you have newer communities which naturally cost more money, but will offer more luxurious accommodations. It is important to consider the monthly fees and whether you would actually use all these things that you are paying for. A full understanding of fees is crucial in making the best decision. Ask about possible fee increases and under what conditions they occur. What has been the average increase over the last five years? What is included and what is not? Carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the contract options on offer. Look Into a Long-Term Stay before Buying Obviously, we cannot truly know how we will experience a new place until we have actually lived there for awhile. That is one of the scariest parts about pulling up stakes and relocating somewhere else. When it comes to moving to a retirement community, there is the possibility you may like the community but not the geographic location or vice versa. Or you are familiar with the area because you have lived here your whole life, but do not like your new home. If possible, look into renting a unit for awhile to see what it is like to actually live there every day. My great uncle and his wife moved from Long Island to North Carolina– because a lot of our family lived there– without really knowing the area, and are generally unhappy with the decision. Had they tested the waters first, they may have realized sooner this was not the spot for them. About the Author:Kelli Cooper is a freelance writer who blogs about a variety of retirement issues. ; if you are looking to spend your golden years in style, she recommends learning more about these luxury senior living apartments in Los Angeles. Photo Credit Google+
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