Downsize and Save Money: Retire in Biloxi!

The kids have grown up and (hopefully) moved out, and now it's just you and your spouse. Rambling around a five-bedroom homestead seems pretty pointless, especially if it involves climbing a bunch of stairs. Have you considered downsizing?

Many retirees are trading in their family-sized homes for a more manageable apartment in an affordable area. According to GulfCoast.org, every year 700,000 retirees relocate in an effort to cut the costs of living and reap the benefits of a more comfortable climate. Selling your home enables you to rent a more affordable apartment, and apartment-dwelling requires far less maintenance than homeownership. This makes everyday life more manageable and gives you more time to concentrate on the serious business of retirement.

Biloxi is Lovely

Property values in the northeast have skyrocketed, leading many retirees to move to other parts of the country that have lower cost-of-living expenses. CNN.com reported that moving to a less expensive area can save retirees up to 15 percent of their retirement income. Where to Retire magazine recently selected Biloxi, Miss., as one of the top places for retirees, due to its warm climate, low taxes and affordable living spaces. Biloxi apartments are well-designed, located near a lovely seaport and close to many exciting attractions and casinos. Editor of Where to Retire Magazine, Mary Lu Abbott, says Biloxi's low cost of living, affordable homes and low taxes, has attracted more retirees. Biloxi is a rich city that includes, luxury four-season locations and mountain/desert reserves.

Attractions in the Area

Biloxi's beaches and landmarks are wonderful places to spend the day, whether it's to retreat from the world or see something new. If jumping into the fray is more for you, there are many casinos and resort spas that feature great deals for seniors. Boomtown and Isle of Capri casinos offer special packages for golfers and spa visitors and fun things to do when the grandkids come for a visit. Make sure to bring little ones to the Boomtown Bakery & General Store for a cupcake – you can hit the slot machines while you're there, too.

Biloxi has a variety of historic places to investigate either on your own or when family is in town. Try taking them to the Biloxi Lighthouse or on a Ship Island excursion. There are guided tours that combine relaxation, recreation and history.

Old-Style Restaurants

For a traditional take on cuisine, Mary Mahoney's Old French House in Biloxi has delicious seafood. This restaurant was established in 1964 in a Colonial-Era home, and locals tout the imperial half lobster as unrivaled in its exquisiteness. McElroy's on the Bayou in Ocean Springs offers a genuine taste of the South; try the crab-stuffed jalapenos and seafood gumbo, topped off with a beignet sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Relocating in retirement can be a rejuvenating and life-affirming experience, especially when you're saving money, meeting new people and visiting new places. Plus, the gulf coast is begging you to take a walk and admire Biloxi's sunset. Maybe it's time to say hello to a new and exciting life of retirement in Biloxi.

Small Business Ideas After Retirement

People often say that when you’re lucky when you’re retired. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of your life as it comes. Lazing around during the first few weeks after quitting your job is the life! No more worrying about deadlines or dealing with problematic clients or bosses. You must remember, however, that it takes time to adjust to life after retirement. 

As the month of doing nothing winds to an end, you realize that you’re itching to do something again, to be productive once more. Although man is hedonistic by nature, if you’ve been working all your life, then the tendency is you’ll keep working as long as you’re still able to. 

Since you can no longer do heavy duty, stressful stuff--too much is bad for your health and your age--the next best choice you have is to start your own business. If you have no clue what that business is going to be, here are some ideas to tide you over. 

Blogging 

If you enjoy writing and are good at expressing yourself through words, one of the most logical choices you have is to blog. If there is a certain niche you are passionate about, then that’s a good place to start for your blog. Blogging is a very lucrative business where you can earn from adsense and you can also start selling stuff on your blog once it has gained an online presence. 

A word of caution though, earning from blogging is going to take some time especially when there are so many blogs out there covering different niches. If you want your blog to stand out, choose a unique angle that you think will appeal to your target audience. 

Consultancy 

Choosing what business to start can be a challenge. To help you decide, why don’t you go back to the basics and start with what you know. If you have been around a particular industry for most of your life, then you know the nitty-gritty of that business. It would be practical for you to start a small consultancy firm and reach out to those who want to start their own business. This is what the father of a colleague did when he resigned as Chief of Operations of the company he was working for. He started his own consultancy firm and has served as a consultant to other companies and clients that he met during his previous work. He also helped rebrand old business to refresh their image and improve their online presence by being active on several social media networks. If you are looking for potential clients you can use the area codes at MyLife to help you search. It can also help you get in touch with old friends who just might want to join you in your new venture. 

Online Business 

Nowadays, the number of online consumers has increased and you can take advantage of this number by starting an online business. You can either sell merchandise or offer certain services that has not been offered elsewhere. The best part about online business is that you can operate from your home and don’t need to rent out office space. You can also work anytime and anywhere in your home. 

Keep in mind that competition is tough in the online market and you have to find a way to make your business stand out. You should also provide regular updates through facebook, twitter and other social media. You have to provide both online and offline promotional If you keep working steadily, your efforts are sure to pay off and your online business will take off. 

About the Author 

Based in San Diego California, Tiffany Matthews is a professional writer with over 5 years of professional writing experience. She believes in the importance of saving up for retirement, even if it’s still a long way off. Tiffany also blogs about travel, fashion, and anything under the sun at wordbaristas.com, a group blog that she shares with her good friends. In her free time, she likes to travel, read fantasy books, and watch movies. You can find her on Twitter as @TiffyCat87.