Chances are that if you are contemplating retirement or if you have already retired, you’re thinking about your living situation. You may be living far away from your family and loved ones so you might be feeling lonely. Moreover, you may feel as though your home is too big for you to manage by yourself and you are seeking maintenance-free living options.
Moving into an independent living community is a huge decision and you’ll have to consider various factors. However, most people who move into such communities never look back as the amenities and services provided for them are unparalleled. This article will take you through some tips on moving to such a community especially if you’re still on the fence about this decision.
Don’t Rush into It
While this seems obvious enough, many people are so taken in by the lifestyle that retirement communities offer that they often forget to factor in practical considerations. If you’d like to maintain a close relationship with your family members, you’d ideally want to choose a location that’s nearby. Moreover, it’s a good idea to think about your finances before moving in. Despite the many affordable senior living options, you need to consider your budget. Take your time and evaluate the best community for you and the best time to move into one.
Write Your Plan
If you’ve finally decided to take the plunge and move in, you’ll want to maintain good records of key dates and important ideas. This is because closer to your moving-in date, inevitably other things will pop up, making it difficult to remember the basics. Whatever format you choose – paper and pen or digital – it’s a good idea to have a schedule of when you’d like to get things by. It’s a good idea to keep a buffer of a few days in case of emergencies. Some people find that ticking things off a checklist helps them feel more accomplished. From scheduling movers to changing your mail address, there are loads of things to keep track of, and your mind is not built to store all that information!
Learn to Let Go
Oftentimes, moving into a retirement community will mean downsizing your living space. This means that you may have to let some things go. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to throw away your best china, however! Firstly, think about the items that you know won’t ever be useful. Such junk like outdated, broken machines can be thrown away. Clothes that no longer fit you can be donated or given away. You may have a prized collection of crystals, for example, which can be kept in a storage facility or even given as a gift. The bottom line is that not all these items will be coming with you.
Recreate Your Home
An independent living community is going to be an unfamiliar location, at least at first. Make your future living space a bit like home. You might want to bring over your comfortable pillows or a special ornament you have. Some communities are also pet-friendly meaning that your furry friends can come along with you to provide much-needed companionship!
