Should You Move After You Retire? Pros and Cons

Aug 2, 2022 | All Posts, Blog | 0 comments

As your retirement years inch closer and closer, you’re probably spending more and more time thinking about how you want them to look. Does your mind drift to days on the beach? Are you thinking of a cozy shanty in the mountains? Does it seem wise to downsize to a smaller home or move to a one-story? Should you move after you retire at all?

Let’s take a moment to look at the pros and cons of moving after retirement and some aspects you may want to think through before you make your final decision.

Pros of moving after retirement

Here are a few of the pros of moving after you retire.

Pro: You can save money by downsizing or moving to a less expensive area

If you decide to downsize after retirement, this could be a great way to save money. In addition, moving to an area where the cost of living is lower can be another way to take some financial burden off your plate.

However, you do need to take into account moving costs as well as the current housing market. Moving to a smaller house doesn’t always necessarily mean that you’ll save money, so make this decision with caution.

Pro: You can find a house that’s better suited to your needs

Many couples and individuals retire and find themselves with way too much space in the home. Where there were once kids running around, now there are too many bedrooms and simply more house than you need. Keeping a house clean takes work, and the bigger the house, the more work it takes!

When you retire, you may find that moving to a smaller home feels less overwhelming and actually makes you feel more relaxed. Additionally, different amenities, such as a one-story house or wider doorways, may support you better as you age and potentially encounter more healthcare needs.

Pro: You can choose your ideal climate

Another reason that many people move after retirement is to choose their perfect climate. Not only do lots of individuals enjoy specific climates better than others, but certain climates can also improve health (of course, this varies depending on specific health conditions).

So, should you move after you retire? Don’t put the for sale sign up yet. Moving might sound pretty tempting, but let’s also discuss the potential cons of moving after retirement before you put your house on the market.

Cons of moving after retirement

Here are some of the cons you should consider if you’re thinking about moving after retirement.

Con: Moving can be disorienting

If you’ve lived in the same home for years or even decades, moving can be quite disorienting, particularly if you’re moving out of the state.

Figuring out a new home or a new town can leave you feeling unsettled or even lost. Retirement itself is a big change, so sometimes adding a life-altering event like moving can feel like all too much.

Con: It can be more difficult to fill your time and may get lonely

Many people don’t realize how comfortable they are in their community until they leave it. When you’ve lived somewhere for years, you develop more and more relationships. You have coworkers (or former coworkers) and friends nearby, you may spend a certain number of hours per month volunteering at your favorite charity, you’re comfortable with the local gym and the library and the best walking parks, and maybe you even know the schedule at the community center.

When you move to a new town, you’re basically at ground zero. While for some people this may seem like an exciting opportunity, for others, it can be a very difficult season of life.

Of course, if you’re moving to be near family, you may not find this to be the case at all.

Con: Moving can be physically taxing

Lastly, moving is hard work. If you plan to move, be prepared to either spend money on movers or to get plenty of cardio in moving boxes and furniture. Regardless, you’ll also have to dedicate hours to packing up your home. This is a big endeavor, so take it into account before you decide to make a move.

Should you move after you retire?

Whether you plan to retire in five years or have decades of work ahead of you, it’s never too early to start thinking about retirement. One of the most common problems we see regarding retirement planning is people who don’t have a clear vision of how they want their retirement to look. 

In order to prepare well for retirement, you need to think about what you’ll be doing in your retirement years. The amount that needs to be saved for retirement varies greatly between someone who wants to settle down and spend time with the grandkids and someone who wants to travel the world.

Do you want to talk through a plan for your retirement years?

At Milestone Wealth Management, we want to make sure that you are prepared for whatever your retirement years will bring. Whether you’re 25 or 60, it’s never too early or too late to begin or improve your retirement plan.

We’re here to make sure that you are ready. Book a meeting today and let’s get your retirement plan on track.

 

This material is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor, attorney, or accountant. Consultation with the appropriate professional should be done before any financial commitments regarding the issues related to the situations above are made.

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