So, you're thinking about relocating when you retire – congratulations! If you're planning on making moves after 65, here are five tips to help you get organized:
If you're considering a relocation after retirement, you're undoubtedly excited about the prospect of beginning your new life. But remember: You do not have to rush into making your decision. Instead, taking your time and planning well in advance helps individuals make the best possible decision when it comes to relocating.
Consider the stages of the moving process, and schedule them in where they make sense for you. Retiring, finding the ideal relocation place (and home), and transferring any remaining ties to your current living situation can take time.
You might even want to take time to relax before undertaking life's next big project – and that's okay too! The most important thing is that you go at a pace that works for you and have all of the details in place to make a seamless transition.
You've been on this earth for 65+ years – it's only logical that you've accumulated a lot of things.
It's not likely that you'll be taking everything with you during the move, so get a head start on downsizing in your early 60s if you can. Choose areas to tackle in batches so that the burden of going through everything is spread out over time. Completing just one hour of decluttering a day can make a significant impact on your process.
If you have children, you might want to ask for their help in this process to identify things that they want from the downsizing. Then, as you go through your things, consider how you plan to dispose of the items that are left that you do not intend to take in the move.
For example, organize a yard sale or post unwanted items online to make some extra cash on the way. Local charities are open to all sorts of donations. Your unwanted items might be able to make an impact in your community even after you've moved.
When it comes to the big move, you're probably going to want to enlist help. Make sure to secure assistance for the move in advance to make the process run smoothly.
Some choose to enlist friends and family members to help with the move. Others enlist moving help for seniors. There are professional moving services that can make sure you do not have to do any heavy lifting. Professional expertise in packing and loading can come in handy when maximizing space during a big move as well.
Location is everything – as we're sure you know. Perhaps you've always had the dream that you'd end up in Florida because it holds the reputation of being a retirement friendly environment.
The options are plentiful when it comes to retirement-friendly states. So when you start to think about different places to settle down after retirement, you might want to put some thought into the best states to live in for seniors and retirees.
If you're thinking about relocating during retirement, make sure your Medicare needs are squared away to avoid undue stress surrounding the big move.
For those who are enrolled in Original Medicare, there is no need to make changes when you're moving to a new state. But for those who have a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll need to ensure your coverage can travel with you. The available Medicare Advantage plans vary by region, so it’s important to review your plan with a knowledgeable Medicare advisor to ensure you don’t have a gap in coverage.
If you’re in the process of relocating in retirement, our trusted Medicare advisors are here to support you in this transition. Schedule an appointment with a local advisor today.