Olwyn KinderWhere to Live Beyond Retirement – Staying Put
November 26th 2008 02:10
Once you reach retirement age it is important that you take time to carefully consider where you want to spend your senior years.
If you own your own home it may be the right time to decide whether this is the best housing arrangments for you or whether you might be better selling up and moving to a small apartment, unit or villa. Maybe the prospect of moving to a retirement village sounds appealing.
Before rushing in and making an inappropriate choice, think about the benefits and disadvantages of your present living arrangements. Prepare a list of all the good things about living where you live. This could include friendly neighbours, feeling safe and secure, being close to good shopping centres, medical facilities, public transport, cosy eateries/cafes, parks and gardens or having your family nearby and enjoying the company and companionship of lifetime friends. Next to each item on your list give a value from 1 to 10 so you can visualise how important each of these are to your quality of life.
Once your list of good things about living where you live is completed, then make a list of those things which you feel cause you concern or things which you'd rather not have to deal with. These could include such issues as maintaining the garden, repairs and maintenance to your home, feeling overwhelmed by the size of your current home – too much housework required to keep it clean and tidy, not knowing who your neighbours are, feeling isolated and alone, not knowing how to cope if your partner suddenly died. Assign a value from 1 to 10 to each of these as well so you can realistically assess how serious a concern they are to you.
You need to weigh up the pros and cons and decide whether it would be in your best interests to move or to remain where you are.
Don't be pressured in to making a decision you are not happy with just because your family and friends think it would be ideal for you. Remember, it is your life and you have the right to live it in accordance with your wishes not merely to please others.
If you own your own home it may be the right time to decide whether this is the best housing arrangments for you or whether you might be better selling up and moving to a small apartment, unit or villa. Maybe the prospect of moving to a retirement village sounds appealing.
Before rushing in and making an inappropriate choice, think about the benefits and disadvantages of your present living arrangements. Prepare a list of all the good things about living where you live. This could include friendly neighbours, feeling safe and secure, being close to good shopping centres, medical facilities, public transport, cosy eateries/cafes, parks and gardens or having your family nearby and enjoying the company and companionship of lifetime friends. Next to each item on your list give a value from 1 to 10 so you can visualise how important each of these are to your quality of life.
Once your list of good things about living where you live is completed, then make a list of those things which you feel cause you concern or things which you'd rather not have to deal with. These could include such issues as maintaining the garden, repairs and maintenance to your home, feeling overwhelmed by the size of your current home – too much housework required to keep it clean and tidy, not knowing who your neighbours are, feeling isolated and alone, not knowing how to cope if your partner suddenly died. Assign a value from 1 to 10 to each of these as well so you can realistically assess how serious a concern they are to you.
You need to weigh up the pros and cons and decide whether it would be in your best interests to move or to remain where you are.
Don't be pressured in to making a decision you are not happy with just because your family and friends think it would be ideal for you. Remember, it is your life and you have the right to live it in accordance with your wishes not merely to please others.
| 128 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
