For seniors, choosing a retirement destination is often an overwhelming decision. After years of hard work and planning, there is tremendous pressure in selecting a place where you can relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Our experts suggest three steps to simplify your process.

1. Make a list. Only you can decide what is an absolute “must” in a retirement destination, and your “musts” will help you narrow the list to a few cities or towns. Take time to consider how you want to live, and don’t rush into selecting a destination on the recommendation of friends or family.

Decide what lifestyle qualities are important to you, and which are inconsequential. If you hate cold weather, put “temperate climate” at the top of your list. Do you dream of a place “where everybody knows your name,” or do you prefer anonymity? Consider the size of the town and the friendliness of the people. Prefer a planned community, or plenty of open land? Want to take in everything your town offers? Think about proximity to shopping, restaurants, festivals, and local culture.

Also consider cost of living, affordability, crime rates, housing values, taxes, medical facilities, local government, public transportation, air travel, pollution, bugs, and natural beauty. If fly fishing is your greatest passion, Kansas is not the spot for you, unless it’s within a day’s drive from grandchildren. Basically, you must prioritize your dreams and work from there.

2. Do your homework. Once you’ve established your “must haves,” you need to explore what is available and affordable. Keeping your top few priorities in mind, search the internet for information and talk to friends. Again, this is a huge decision, so take your time.

3. Go exploring. Once you’ve narrowed your list, spend some time in the top three destinations. Although a picture is worth a thousand words, a personal visit is worth even more. Don’t make a huge decision based on glossy brochures and marketing campaigns. Delve into the culture and talk to local residents. You will know when you’re “home.”
 

Puritan Financial Companies is a diversified financial services firm specializing in helping people from their peak earning years through retirement to secure their financial future. Visit Puritan Life Insurance at www.puritanlife.com. The information contained in this blog post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, tax, or investment advice.