Google “Best Places to Retire” and you’ll get a plethora of lists:
- Best Places to Retire on a Social Security Budget
- 10 Sunniest Places to Retire
- 10 Best Places for Wealthiest Retirees
- Best Places for Military Retirees
- 10 Historic Places to Retire
- Best Places for Wine Lovers
- Best Mountain Towns, Beach Towns, Big Cities, Farm-To-Table Food Meccas, College Towns, Cultural Centers… you get the idea.
For many new retirees, however, the only list that matters is “Best Places Close to the Grandkids.”
If you’re a grandparent considering moving across country – or just across town – to focus on family and leave a lasting legacy of special memories with your “grands,” there are important issues to consider. Among them:
- Can you afford it? How do real estate values compare from your market to theirs? If one grandparent is still working, can he or she find a job in the new community? Is the cost of living in the new place sustainable?
- How will you make new friends? Are there outlets for social activities including churches, clubs and the like in the new place?
- Where will you live? How close to you want to be the children? Will you buy or rent? Will the move be forever? Do you plan to return to your current city when the kids grow up? You might want to rent your old house and as well your new place until you decide?
- What are the ground rules? Have you and the parents of your grandchildren set boundaries and expectations about visits, babysitting and “together time.” Are your kids in favor of your relocation? Do they intend to stay in the area longterm?
- What is the healthcare situation where you’re going? Is there a hospital with good doctors and specialists nearby? Is the climate conducive to healthy habits including walking, being outdoors and breathing clean air?
“Personal Relationships” is one of five key areas of successful retirement planning. Whether relocation is in the cards or not, you can start the process today by taking the Fit-To-Retire readiness assessment here.
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