Planning a Post-Retirement Move

Guest post by Andrea Needham

If you’re planning on a post-retirment move, you aren’t alone. According to Forbes, four in ten retirees decide to transition to a new home after they stop working. There are many reasons you may want to move, from being closer to family to getting a space that’s accessible for older people with unique mobility needs. Whatever your motivation, you want to settle into your new nest quickly. This guide provides some tips for feeling at home fast.

Find or create the perfect home with mobility needs in mind

The right property will make it easier to adapt to your new surroundings. Before looking for real estate, make a list of your must-have needs in a home. For example, you may prefer a single-level house without stairs to allow for easy mobility. If you can’t find the perfect home, you might consider custom home building services from a professional like PRK Williams Building Group. This allows you to craft the perfect property to suit your preferences.

Take care of essential safety and security measures to improve accessibility

Feeling at home in your own space starts with feeling safe. Consider what safety and security measures you might benefit from. For example, adding a doorbell camera can leave you feeling more secure. You might also think about mobility and accessibility measures, like adding handrails to hallways, removing raised door jambs to avoid trips, and widening hallways to accommodate wheelchairs and similar mobility aids.

Upgrade the interior with affordable and aesthetically pleasing touches

Once you have the essentials taken care of, brainstorm how you can make your space feel homier. Affordable steps like adding greenery, repainting the walls, and incorporating cozy elements like throw pillows go a long way. You might also update the walls with cost-efficient peel-and-stick wallpaper. Grasscloth wallpaper is an elegant choice, adding texture to the walls and giving a luxurious feeling to any room.

Spruce up the exterior with landscaping basics

It’s not just the inside of your house that needs attention. Consider how you can enhance the exterior too. For example, if you or a family member of yours uses a wheelchair, you might add paved walkways or a terrace to your garden, boosting accessibility. Lawn Starter offers a roundup of cost-efficient landscaping ideas to spruce up your yard, including planting perennials, adding mulch, and adding flowers around your mailbox.

Add personal touches throughout the property

You want your home to reflect your unique personality. This will allow you to feel at ease, even in a new space. There are many ways to reflect your one-of-a-kind sense of style, from painting rooms in your favorite colors to adding cozy touches like furry blankets. Hanging unique artwork and family photos can also go a long way. You want people who enter your home to immediately get a sense of who you are and what you value.

Take the time to meet your community

Feeling at home is about more than having your physical needs met. You also want to ensure your emotional needs are met. To do this, make an effort to connect with your community. You might establish a walking group, start a food exchange, or establish a book club or discussion group, for instance. You can also use technology to connect. Apps like NextDoor or neighborhood Facebook groups will allow you to meet others in your area.

Moving after retirement can be a wonderful way to start this new chapter in your life on a fresh page. That said, moving to a new space can leave you feeling unsettled, like you’re a stranger in your own home. Trust the tips above to feel at ease fast.

For more resources on creating the perfect home to call your own, visit the blog.