| Now that you've decided to hang up the plaque on | | | | be facing a medical challenge or specialty. |
| the wall & start to show off that gold watch | | | | WEATHER: |
| you so deservingly earned, you might start to ask | | | | Neither rain, nor snow or sleet……..Oh, yeah. That's |
| yourself… ‘how do I pick where I want to | | | | the postman's creed. Do you want to live & play |
| retire?' | | | | in snow or at the beach? You can certainly check the |
| As you review these points, consider where these | | | | weather patterns in the coldest months (Jan-Feb) |
| categories fit into your lifestyle in order of YOUR | | | | & the warmest months (July-August) to the |
| importance. | | | | area you are considering. The local Chamber of |
| FAMILY: | | | | Commerce & weather channels can assist you in |
| Are you willing to leave family, (immediate or | | | | your decision. |
| extended), aging parents, children, grandchildren? If | | | | CELL PHONE COVERAGE: |
| you are in that position, will you have room for them | | | | Check it out with your current service. What's |
| to stay a period of time? How about children still in | | | | involved of keeping your popular cell phone number |
| school? | | | | or going through the anxiety of letting everyone |
| Contact the department of education (for public | | | | know your new cell phone number. The cancellation |
| schools) to see how the area you are contemplating | | | | of a contract, a new contract, area coverage. Do |
| measures up to your expectations. Of course there | | | | you plan to be a world traveler with needed |
| is always the private sector for schools. | | | | coverage or just local? Dial up the coverage maps |
| HOUSING: | | | | for AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile or your current |
| Check out Retirement USA ® . The National | | | | carrier. |
| Association of Home Builders publishes a spreadsheet | | | | FOOD: |
| that shows the affordability of houses around the | | | | General grocery shopping is fine. However, what |
| country. | | | | about; seafood, vegetarian, kosher, deli, farmers |
| LOCAL TAXES: | | | | market, green market, organic market, specialty |
| Look at Retirement USA ® for taxes by state. | | | | markets? Dining out…….how far do you travel to |
| Just Because you found that perfect house in your | | | | your favorite restaurant or Starbucks? |
| perfect price range, it may not be what you | | | | RECREATION-LEISURE-FIESTA: |
| bargained for. | | | | What are you going to do with all this FREE TIME |
| COMMUNITY: | | | | you now have on your hands? Golf, walking, beach, |
| What kind of demographics are you looking for? | | | | skating, cruises, gardening, traveling, cleaning your |
| Neighbors? Convenience? Do you want zero lot lines | | | | house, become a dog walker for the neighborhood, |
| between your house and next door or do you want | | | | become a volunteer (so many needed)? |
| five acres? The Census Bureau's Quick Facts web | | | | Did you know that there are garlic festivals all around |
| site will show you population, income, business | | | | the country? What about wine tasting? You can |
| information for all counties in the United States. | | | | check online by using the key words to your desired |
| Get a sense & feel for where you want to | | | | activity. One thing for sure……look to see if there |
| move. Call the local Chamber of Commerce or view | | | | are certain gatherings in your prospective new |
| the local newspaper online. See if there are local chat | | | | address that might be a little overwhelming for you. |
| message boards or local web sites. Check with local | | | | Some events happen in certain areas of the country |
| law enforcement for safety & crime in the area. | | | | during certain times of the year. |
| The F.B.I has a crime reporting system that they | | | | It's easy to find a movie theater or a video rental |
| release annually. | | | | store. What about the likes of local community live |
| TRANSPORTATION: | | | | theater (dinner or not), symphony orchestras, dance |
| How do you get where you want to go? Are you | | | | companies, museums, free local tours, mall shopping. |
| willing to drive everywhere? Check out those gas | | | | JOBS: |
| prices. Does the area you are looking at have public | | | | WHOA! Hold on a minute. I want to go into |
| transportation that is convenient to do grocery | | | | retirement. I've done my time you say. You know |
| shopping, travel to the mall, take you to the cruise | | | | what is said about idle hands……. You just may |
| ship? What about airports? International or domestic? | | | | want to keep those hands busy now that you realize |
| The FAA has maps showing major U.S. airports with | | | | you're not a couch potato. So, maybe a part time |
| links to smaller or regional airports. Don't forget the | | | | position is in the cards…..mmm, a dealer at Vegas? |
| train or bus lines. | | | | EDUCATION: |
| | | | Ready to explore new interests or a degree? Want |
| FAITH, RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY: | | | | to study rocks……… archaeology or diamonds, |
| Going to your house of worship can be a great way | | | | they are a girls best friend. Continuing education just |
| of breaking into the community. Usually, you will be | | | | might be for you. A new language, become a tour |
| welcomed and start new friendships with those who | | | | guide. |
| have the start of something in common. | | | | LIBRARIES: |
| HEALTH CARE: | | | | Sure there are bookstores in every mall across the |
| As we become wiser (certainly not older), we | | | | country. Have you considered used book stores, |
| become wiser to our health needs. hospitals, doctors, | | | | libraries and their resources? Many libraries offer free |
| health practitioners. The AMA web site can help you | | | | classes, book readings & senior activity. Glow |
| locate what you're looking for particularly if you might | | | | little book worm, glitter, glitter. |