| Dgodin |
09-27-2022 09:17 AM |
Great place to retire
Quote:
Originally Posted by joelfmi
(Post 2140198)
Younger retirees and older ones don’t usually give a thought to the availability of transportation. They’re accustomed to hopping into cars and going where they wish, whenever the spirit moves them.
But that independence and freedom rarely lasts forever. If you intend to stay in a new community as you age, you may eventually want one where you can use buses, trains, light rail, cabs and ride-sharing companies.
So, long before you need it, assure yourself that your new town has plenty of ways to get around.
It’s self-evident, but it’s worth saying: Older people consume more medical care. And they often require care from specialists and facilities specializing in orthopedics and geriatric care.
Find out whether your destination has what you need by talking with folks and calling providers.
Housing is the biggest factor in most Americans’ budgets. Eliminate a mortgage payment or rent, and you can keep housing costs from changing while your income is fixed.
Moving to an area where housing prices and rents are high can put a serious strain on your retirement budget. Think twice before doing so
.Many Americans cycle into and out of retirement. Some retirees grow bored and want the stimulation they used to get from work. Others learn that their retirement income doesn’t stretch as far as they’d hoped.
You, too, may want to work again after being retired for a while. In addition, a town with plenty of living-wage jobs is a healthy, livable town with a strong economy — the best kind of place to live.
Talk with people you meet to gather a sense of how friendly the community is. If you are looking for a faith community, investigate the congregations that might appeal to you and attend services at several to test the waters.
Ask yourself where and how you will make friends. Shop the grocery stores at a couple of different times of day and week to see if people are interacting or simply hurrying in and out. Try to pick up a sense of how warm and open to newcomers the town is.
Even those who are not social types may be unhappy in an atmosphere that is cold, exclusive or frenetic.
Where do people gather in the community you are considering? Try to look at the place with the eyes of someone who has just moved there: Visit the coffee shops, senior center, parks and movie theaters.
If you speak a language other than English, is there a cultural center where you’ll feel at home?
If you plan on staying in the community for the rest of your life, it’s smart to look at resources you may need down the road. Ask real estate agents and others you meet about the availability of home health care aides. How many agencies are in town? Are their services highly recommended?
Even if you don’t mind not seeing family members for extended periods of time, think about the fact that your children or loved ones may one day need to take an active role in your care — perhaps even becoming your caregivers.
Great distances make caregiving stressful and often agonizingly difficult for adult children who are also raising families and working.
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We carefully considered our needs in relation to advancing age, and expected mobility and medical issues.
The villages was a good choice. We have a single story low maintenance home which is now just 4 years old.
We have 5 grocery stores in approximatey a 2 mile radius, all of which are golf cart accessible. And we expect to be able to use a golf cart for transportation even after we no longer feel safe driving a car.
Medical facilities are also close and golf cart accessible.
And The Villages has a lot of lifestyle offerings with plenty of sports activities. When we can no longer play sports we'll join some of the less active clubs.
So yes it is important to consider all of the issues related ro rerired living and we believe the Villages is a good choice. |
