Retiring Right: Is Your Home Ready for Your Golden Years?

retirement (Photo credit: 401(K) 2013)

If you are planning on retiring soon, there is a lot to do in order to feel prepared. This includes tedious paperwork, as well as cleaning out your junk and getting your home ready. As you enter retirement, it is important to review all aspects of your life and prepare early so you can enjoy all your later years without stress. Whether you are looking for a new home, or improving your current home, make sure it is ready for your golden years. Ask yourself the following questions to decide if your home is ready.

Where is it?

As you get older, you may notice your driving skills diminish. If possible, make sure your home is close to public transit, or within walking distance of the places you go regularly, like the grocery store and pharmacy.

If you are considering moving when you retire, try going closer to family who can help you with transportation and keep you company. You should also look at areas with nice temperate climates so you don’t have to worry about health issues that arise from extreme temperatures.

How will you be spending your time?

When you retire, you may find you have a lot of free time on your hands. How do you want to spend it? Would you like to help take care of your grandkids, join a bowling team, or spend more time in the garden? Make sure your home and community are suited to how you’d like to spend your time. If you don’t know what you want to do yet, don’t stress. Try a few different hobbies and classes to see what kinds of things you enjoy.

How much space do you need?

If you plan on spending your retirement years travelling, you might want to consider downsizing to a smaller home base. If, however, you are planning on hosting visiting family members and friends, you may want a bigger home with a guest room. Shop some furniture sales for a comfy bed and stock up on linens so your visitors have an easy place to stay when they come to see you.

Is it accessible?

Is your home easy to get around in? Hopefully your health remains robust as you age, but your mobility may be limited. Even if you have no problems now, remember that it is easier to get injured, and harder to recover from injury when you are older. Have your bathroom checked out by a local plumber like CampbellCare Plumbing, Heating & Air, who can install grab bars near the toilet and bathtub to prevent falls. You could also consider installing ramps or moving to a one level home if you are concerned about climbing stairs.

Is it low maintenance?

Make sure that your home will be easy to maintain in your retirement. You want to spend your free time cultivating hobbies, exploring the world, and spending time with loved ones, not worrying about home repairs and yard maintenance. Will the yard require a lot of mowing? Does the driveway need to be cleared in the winter? Is the kitchen relatively easy to clean? Is the bathroom in good repair? Make the necessary repairs and changes now so you won’t have to worry about issues in your retirement.

Answer these questions to decide whether or not you are ready to retire. Maybe you want to move to a new home, or just spruce up the one you are in. Make the right choice for your health and lifestyle needs so your retirement years will be fulfilling and worry free.