Who Says Retirees Must Relocate?

By Robert K. Otterbourg

At age 22, the challenge was to have a Saturday night date. Ten years later, now married and with a child or two, the discussion switched to the selection of a nursery school. Fast forward through the life cycle, and the conversation switches once again.

The bug to change homes

Now, the age 55-plus adult focuses on future residences – shall we sell the suburban home, shall we move to central city, how about living in our summer cottage year-round, what about traveling the countryside in a trailer, or let’s live in Paris for the next six months. The variables are unlimited, but they add up to one thing, the bug to change homes is on the lips of folks once they hit their mid-50s.

Dream on.

Most of us don’t move

Even with the urge to move, Americans are hardly peripatetic. They remain in place. Even with the caravans of cars and trailers moving from north to south each winter, most of us don’t move. Charles Longino of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, finds that less than 5 percent of folks age 60 plus are inter-state migrants. Otherwise, we stay put closer to home.

Looking at alternatives

AARP acknowledges that the majority of those age 50-plus are attached to their communities.

Even so, they look at alternatives, examine the lifestyle and then return home. The alternatives are increasing each year. Even Del Webb, which once felt that the American dream was to pickup roots and move to one of their Sun City enclaves in Arizona, has modified its tune. Nowadays they build communities in the northeast and mid-west to attract boomers who want to give up their older and sometimes outdated homes, and move to newer digs perhaps one-hour from where they’re presently live and work.

Putting aside the daydreams

As a starter, put aside the daydreams about owning a retirement home in southern France or moving to a houseboat. These are the dreams of TV sitcoms and feature articles in newspaper and magazine style sections.

But like it or not, chances are you might move or at least consider relocating from suburbia to a downtown apartment within walking distance of restaurants, shops, theaters and the like, or perhaps remodeling your present home with a bedroom on the first floor. Some might even be as rash as to move to a new locale in another state. Simply put, the selection is nearly unlimited on where to live. It can be shaped to meet most pocketbooks, and personal needs.

Before you leap, it’s time to consider some critical lifestyle factors:

Health Care. You say you’re in good shape. Be realistic. Things might change in a few years, and first-class medical facilities become a priority. The house in the mountains or on remote island might be delightful, but where’s the full-service hospital?

Want to Work. Consultants need not worry. The Internet, FedEx and UPS are everywhere to service business requests. But to those looking for a job should know beforehand if there employers in the area that need your skills?

Weather. Have you tried living in the south in the summer when humidity and temperatures soar? Florida and Arizona weather is far different in August than February. The same goes for the New England lake house when temperatures nosedive in winter.

Religion. For some, the availability of place of worship is hardly a priority, but others need the relationship. Just as important as where to worship, and finding folks who share your beliefs is the level of tolerance in the community. Few of us want to be the “first on the block” with a particular religion.

Politics. Sounds trivial but no way do you want to be conservative or liberal in a community that has radically different political views.

Sports. Great to a have a local professional or college sports team, but you want to be more than a spectator. Before moving check out the availability of walking paths, fishing streams, golf courses and tennis courts. Are they operated by the community or does it require joining a private club. If so, what’s the cost?

Taxes. A major consideration. It’s easy to check out state and local taxes via the Internet by going to the Tax Foundation (www.taxfoundation.org).

Best to learn about state income, real estate, sales, nuisance and inheritance taxes before pulling up roots and moving. You might find out it’s no bargain pulling up stakes and moving.

Transportation.

Hardly a trivial issue. Is there a first-rate airport nearby? How close are you to interstate highways? Can family and friends visit with ease? No sense, unless that’s the goal, to move to the boonies, and then wonder why nobody wants to visit.

The long-term view.

Do you want to live in this community for the balance of your life? <<

Robert K. Otterbourg is a Durham (NC) based writer and author of Retire & Thrive (4th edition published in October 2006). Book may be found in local bookstores and on www.Amazon.com.