Moving from one home to another is never an easy task. But when you’re a retiree, finding the energy to sell your home, buy a new home, pack up your house, and then unpack in a new place can be very overwhelming.
But luckily, with the right decisions and planning, a move at this stage in life doesn’t have to be scary, even if you’re moving into a new situation like an assisted living community.
To help you make the best of this transitional time, here are three tips for making moving easier as a retiree.
Start Early
Starting early is one of the most important tips for making moving easier as a retiree. Planning your move well in advance allows you to take your time and organize your belongings, as well as make any necessary arrangements with professional movers or real estate agents. By starting early, you can reduce the stress and pressure of a last-minute move, and ensure that everything goes smoothly. Additionally, starting early gives you the opportunity to declutter your belongings and downsize, which can simplify your life and make the moving process less overwhelming.
Choose The Right Location To Move
One of the biggest things that can make a move easier to accomplish is choosing the right location to move to in the first place.
While you might have dreams of moving to a quiet little town that’s off the beaten path, moving to a place like this with limited amenities isn’t always easy. Rather, you should look to move to a location that can provide you with the things you’ll need to make your move easier, like accessible storage units, multiple moving companies to choose from, and plenty of housing options.
Another thing that can make a move easier is having family in the area you’re moving to, as they can help facilitate the transition as well as offer you assistance with the actual move. For this reason, Marian White, a contributor to Moving.com, recommends that you seriously consider moving close to where you already have friends or family members as a retiree. This could allow you to put less strain on your body during the move, which is something you should be very careful with at your age.
Be Strategic To Secure Your New Home
Once you’ve decided where you’re going to be moving, it’s now time to get things progressing toward making the actual move.
One of the most stressful things will likely be selling your home and buying a new one. Ideally, Corinne Rivera, a contributor to Homelight.com, advises that you should try to sell your home completely before making an offer on another home. This way, you can sweeten the deal for your offer by paying all cash, which might help you secure a home that has a lot of competition. This will also help to reduce some of the stress you might feel with your move, which will be great for both your mental and physical health.
Hire Professional Movers
Hiring professional movers is another important tip for making moving easier as a retiree. Professional movers have the experience, equipment, and resources to handle the physical aspects of moving, such as packing, loading, and transporting your belongings.
This can relieve a significant amount of stress and allow you to focus on other aspects of the move, such as settling into your new home. When hiring movers, it is important to choose a reputable company with experience and insurance and to get a written estimate for their services.
Additionally, consider purchasing additional insurance to protect your belongings during the move, and communicate your specific needs and preferences to the movers. With the help of professional movers, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free move.
Pack Smart
Packing smart is a crucial aspect of making moving easier as a retiree. By packing efficiently and effectively, you can simplify the moving process and ensure that your belongings arrive at your new home in good condition. Here are some tips for packing smart:
Start Early: Begin packing well in advance of the move to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Declutter First: Get rid of items that you no longer need or want before packing, as this can lighten the load.
Pack Essentials Separately: Pack a separate bag with essentials such as toiletries, clothing, and medications that you will need during the move.
Label Boxes Clearly: Label each box with the contents and the room it belongs in, and consider using color coding for easy identification.
Use Proper Packing Materials: Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and packing paper to protect your belongings during the move.
Keep Valuables Safe: Keep valuables, such as jewelry and documents, with you during the move, rather than packing them in boxes.
Disassemble Furniture: Disassemble larger items such as beds, desks, and shelves, to make them easier to transport.
By packing smart, you can reduce the stress of moving and ensure that your belongings arrive safely at your new home.
Drastically Downsize
Downsizing is another important tip for making moving easier as a retiree. Moving to a smaller home or retirement community can reduce the number of belongings you have to move, making the process simpler and more manageable.
Downsizing also allows you to simplify your life and focus on what is important, as well as reduce the cost and maintenance of your new home. Before downsizing, it is important to consider your current and future needs, such as space for hobbies or guests, and to choose a home that fits your lifestyle.
As you begin packing for your move, it’s wise to get comfortable with the idea of drastic downsizing. Although it can be hard to get rid of things you’ve been collecting over the years, moving these things could prove to be even more difficult. Additionally, consider selling or donating items that you no longer need, as this can help to lighten the load during the move.
If you’re a retiree who’s planning to move soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get through this time as successfully as possible.
