Anticipating Relocating

Most of us know that many people embark upon some kind of relocation in anticipation of or during retirement.  Some folks make the decision to drastically relocate in order to experience another climate or living culture.  Some move far away to be closer to people important to them.  Others stay close to where they live already but choose to resize from a single family home to a smaller dwelling making life easier and less homestead-centric.  For some the idea of settling in a living community focused on senior comfort as needs may change during an anticipated long residency has merit.

I’ve moved several times in my adult life and know that relocating across the street or across the country requires a great deal of “groundwork.” It encompasses organization, logistical preparation, the ability to handle many tasks all at once and often large commitments of cash and other resources. In other words, it’s complicated, stressful and daunting to think about, set in motion and accomplish.

What I didn’t know, however; was that relocating “senior citizens” is now big business. An article on line about the topic caught my eye and before I knew it I had entered a web world full of articles, ads and associations dedicated to the topic. Just like other topics on the web, there is almost too much to handle. So, after perusing what’s out there, I’m ready to provide my Top Five Web Resources on the subject. (I’ll do this “Top Five” list on other topics here to help readers collect resources as we proceed.)

Here we go:

1.  “When Seniors Relocate” (authored by Lynda K. Fowler, Ohio State University Extension, Crawford County and revised in 2004 by Christine A. Price, Ph.D., Extension State Gerontology Specialist, The Ohio State University as part of the Ohio Department of Aging’s “Senior Series,”) is an easy to access discussion about reasons for moving, moving’s impacts and some things to consider about where one might live.  You can find it at:

   http://ohioline.osu.edu/ss-fact/0143.html

2.   “Moving to a New Home? Make the Transition Easier” gives a helpful checklist for thinking about the why, when and where’s surrounding senior relocation.  Check it out at:

http://seniorliving.about.com/od/housingoptions/a/moving_easier.htm

3.  “Specialists in late-life downsizing on the rise” by Leanne Italie of the Associated Press takes a look at the thriving industry that relocating retirees has become. Go to:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/wellness/story/2011- 12-07/Specialists-in-late-life-downsizing-on-the-rise/51696336/1

4.   The website for The National Association of Senior Move Managers at http://nasmm.org/index.cfm treats a variety of relocation topics, provides downloads for use in planning and, of course, explains why hiring a professional move manager is a good idea. 

 

5.   “Moving Tips for Seniors” by Diane Schmidt is a master portal in About.com that offers access to other articles on this topic worth reading ranging from how to decide to make a move to hands-on tips about resizing the home.  Find it at:

http://moving.about.com/od/movingseniors/tp/seniors_moving.htm

I’d love to hear your take on this topic…react and interact…its always free here at Retooling Retirements.