One of the most important considerations to make when buying real estate is its location. You may have found your dream home at a price you can afford, but if it’s in the middle of nowhere and the closest supermarket is two hours away, it may not be worth the purchase.
The same principle is even more critical when you’re looking for a place to retire. You’ll need to make sure all the amenities are as close to your property as possible for when your health starts to decline. Before you start thinking about your new home construction to spend your retirement in, here are five factors to consider when choosing a retirement location:
1. Cost of Living
You’ve taken a portion of your monthly salary during your core working ears and assigned it to your retirement fund, which means you have a limited amount of monthly income to work with once you retire. Given your tight resources, you’ll need to be as prudent as possible about your spending, which means you’ll need to consider the cost of living in the location you’re eyeing.
Cities like New York and San Francisco are gorgeous, thriving cities, but they’re also known for prohibitively expensive housing costs. You’ll also want to account for taxes into the cost of living. Some states, like Alaska, Washington, and Nevada, do not have a state income tax, which can help you save a bit on expenses.
2. Access to Care
As a senior, you’ll eventually need access to high-quality healthcare, which means choosing a city with lots of long-term care or assisted living services is crucial. Metropolitan areas typically have a broader range of options, ensuring you receive the care you need when you need it.
Although it is incredibly tempting to retire to a rural cabin by the lake, this may not be feasible, especially if you need a caregiver to help you get through the day. More populated areas naturally have more services closer to you, so you’ll want to retire in such places.
3. Walkability
Having quick and easy access to amenities and features like restaurants, malls, supermarkets, or healthcare is another priority you’ll want to keep in mind. The goal is to be able to walk to these places without a problem from your residence, decreasing the effort and exertion you’ll have to put into enjoying basic services. Be sure to choose an area with a high Walk Score, as it guarantees that you’ll have an easy time getting around on foot.
However, other cities have reworked themselves into becoming bike- and commuter-friendly, which you may also want to consider if you like to move around. If you plan to travel frequently during your retirement, you may also want to choose a retirement location close to the airport.
4. Lifestyle
Now that you can enjoy life after work, you’ll want to think about the senior living lifestyle you want to lead. The retirement location you select will significantly impact this, so it is imperative to choose an area where you can participate in numerous activities to fill your time. If you like to exercise, ensure that your retirement location is near a gym or a park. If you love to read, choose a place with an excellent library. You can even continue learning by attending special courses offered by colleges and universities.
5. A Community to Support You
Lastly, seniors must be surrounded by their loved ones wherever they are, so be sure to choose a place where you have a network of friends and family to turn to when you need support. You can also opt for a place with access to potential new friends to prevent loneliness, which can severely impact your emotional and physical health.
Conclusion
Your retirement is the opportunity to do all the things you’ve wanted to do and revel in the slow, leisurely pace the lifestyle offers. To make the most out of it, you’ll want to make sure you choose the right retirement location for your luxury custom home, ensuring you spend your retirement in the most optimal area possible.
Duke Homes is a team of custom builders in Indianapolis that can create your dream home. We’ve been creating one-of-a-kind environments that our clients are proud to call home for over 30 years. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you!
