| The test for being an "empty nester" is simple, your | | | | location I wish to spend time.b. I will need to be |
| kids have flown the nest and you suddenly realize | | | | creative to afford 2 or more residences in my |
| something has changed in your lifestyle. There is | | | | retirement years.c. I hope to have my primary home |
| more 'you' time. Soccer or band practice, homework | | | | paid off and be able to travel during retirement.d. I |
| and maybe some laundry are missing from your | | | | have not begun to think about a retirement budget, |
| schedule. You are in a new stage of life. A stage in | | | | and will likely sell my home and rent during retirement. |
| which you get to set the style. 78.2 million US Baby | | | | 7. I already own my retirement nest and it is a:a. |
| Boomers (today, ages 49-60) will be sharing these | | | | Cabin or cottageb. Condoc. Penthoused. Timesharee. |
| experiences now and over the next 14 years. | | | | Fractionalf. Condo hotel |
| Empty nesting is only a brief pause of transition, next | | | | 8. I plan to spend or have already spent:a. More |
| comes | | | | money on a retirement home than on my present |
| 'Besting or Better Nesting' - | | | | primary Homeb. Less moneyc. About the samed. Buy |
| Answer these questions and find out if you are a | | | | multiple homes |
| Bester. | | | | 9. In my golden years I always dreamed of:a. Going |
| 1. Empty Nesting most closely conjures up visions | | | | back to schoolb. Taking up or perfecting my |
| of:a. Welcome peace and quietb. Emptiness, silence | | | | hobbiesc. Traveld. Building a new business or |
| and old agec. Travel and new adventuresd. None of | | | | consultinge. Sitting in a rocker and playing shuffle |
| the above | | | | board |
| 2. My perfect retirement or second home has:a. An | | | | 10. Later in life I plan to:a. Make new friendsb. Need |
| exciting location (golf course, waterfront, | | | | to workc. Want to workd. Play hard |
| mountains)b. Lower cost to buy and maintain (i.e. | | | | Ask your spouse or significant other to make sure |
| lowest taxes)c. Less space and up keep (think vinyl | | | | you are seeking the same kind of retirement housing. |
| siding)d. Granite counters and a massive gourmet | | | | Now score your answers and visit for more |
| kitchene. Rock climbing wall, Jacuzzi showers, lots of | | | | information and how you can afford your ideal Best |
| fireplaces | | | | retirement nest. |
| 3. Which best describes your preferred retirement | | | | Add up your points as follows: |
| housing:a. On Golden Pondb. Green Acresc. The | | | | 1. a. 5; b. 5; c. 5; d. 0 |
| Truman Showd. Waldon | | | | 2. a. 3; b. 0; c. 0; d. 4; e. 5 |
| 4. I wouldn't want to retire in a:a. Mobile Home parkb. | | | | 3. a. 1; b. 5; c. 3; d. 0 |
| McMansionc. A van down by the riverd. Florida | | | | 4. a. 3; b. 2; c. 5; d. 2; e. 5; f. 3 |
| condoe. Suburban tract homef. Any of the above | | | | 5. a. 3; b. 3; c. 3; d. 4; e. 6 |
| 5. In your opinion, What climate best suited to live | | | | 6. a. 5; b. 4; c. 2; d. 0 |
| out your retirement years:a. The sunshine statesb. 4 | | | | 7. a. 4; b. 4; c. 5; d. 5; e. 6; f. 6 |
| Seasons climatesc. Anywhere near the Mountains or | | | | 8. a. 5; b. 1; c. 3; d. 6 |
| seasided. In an active urban junglee. Offshore or in a | | | | 9. a. 4; b. 4; c. 4; d. 4; e. 0 |
| real junglef. All of the above, I'd like multiple homes in | | | | 10. a. 4; b. 2; c. 4; d. 5 |
| multiple climates | | | | If your score is over 30 points, you are a Bester. |
| 6. Affordability. Which statement is most true about | | | | The higher your score, the more likely you will be |
| your budget for retirement housing:a. I will be able to | | | | Besting, not Empty Nesting. |
| easily afford multiple 'whole ownership' homes in any | | | | |