Sunday, April 14, 2013

Should You Move or Age in Place When You Retire?

Many people look forward to relocating after retirement.  They think of this period in their lives as an exciting adventure, and they can't wait until they have the opportunity to live somewhere new.  While this works out well for many retirees, a number of people are making the conscious decision to age in place.

It is easy for a blog like this to focus primarily on all the amenities that are available to the people who move somewhere new after retirement.  We have covered a variety of options including different home builders, retirement communities and locations around the world that are attractive to retirees (see the indexes of articles at the end of this post).  Some of these locations have been selected because they offer a luxurious lifestyle; others were chosen for their affordability; a few were selected for their exotic locations.  However, not everyone is prepared to uproot themselves from their friends, families and homes in order to move to a new location.  Before you decide to relocate, there are certain issues you will want to consider.

Retirement Planning Questions to Ask Yourself

Here are some questions you should consider before you move somewhere new:

Will you be lonely if you live far away from your children, grandchildren, and friends?  While many people easily make new friends after they move, I have also known retirees in our retirement community who have become lonely and depressed.  Rather than joining clubs and taking part in new activities, some people isolate themselves.  If you are one of these people, you may not want to make a change.

Will you be comfortable with the new climate?   We have some friends who recently moved from the Napa Valley of Northern California to a small town near Lake Michigan.  They have suffered through several blizzards and had their electricity cut off during freezing weather.  They moved there in order to be near their youngest grandchildren.  However, they are both in their 70's and this harsh climate has been hard on them.  Extreme winter climates are not the only consideration.    Some people find that they have difficulty dealing with the heat in popular retirement locations like Florida, Arizona and Palm Springs, California.  You may want to rent a home in a potential retirement area for a year or two before you decide if you are going to be happy living there permanently.

Are you willing to travel long distances to visit your current family and friends?  My parents moved from Missouri to Florida when they were in their early 60's.  Now they are in their 80's.  They used to enjoy the road trips they took to go back to Missouri and see the rest of the family.  Now they don't want to travel at all any more, whether by car or plane.  It has been four years since they went back to Missouri for a visit.  This is an especially important issue to consider if you decide to move overseas where it could also be difficult for your family members to visit you.

If you lose your spouse, would you still want to be in your new location?  If you don't think you would want to stay in your new community permanently, you may want to consider renting rather than buying your retirement home. In some cases, people even decide to become Snowbirds.  They keep a small home or condo in their current location and rent or buy another condo or home at their retirement destination.  In this way, they maintain their connections in both places. 

You also need to consider whether this is a place where you would want to live alone.  As one reader pointed out, if you move to a new location to be near your children, would you still want to live there if your adult children moved away because of a job change?  Would you want to remain in the new location if your spouse died?  You need to think carefully about these issues before you pack up your belongings and move to a new location.

If you decide to move to another country, are you prepared for the legal complications? You may want to read "Why Retire in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands or Guam."  It explains some of the legal issues to be considered in moving to another country, and it suggests that you may wish to consider living in one of our exotic US territories, instead.  It is currently the most popular article ever written for this blog.

If you need extended medical care or a nursing home, where would you want it to be?   Health problems can cause sudden changes in your retirement plans.  We had some friends who were house hunting in Ecuador when the wife had a brain aneurism.  Fortunately, the doctors in Ecuador were able to save her life (which says a lot about the medical facilities there).  However, once she recovered, they came to the realization that they did not want to be that far away if something else happened in the future.  They decided to return to the small Texas town where they had both grown up and where they would be near family and friends.

Finally, where do you want to be buried?  Although most of us do not want to think about this, it is something we should consider, especially if we decide to move overseas.  Do you want to have a funeral in a location where few of your current friends or family members will ever go?  Would you want your body to be returned to the United States for burial?  Will your heirs be left with enough money to do that?

Once you have considered all these issues, you will be better equipped to make the decision that is right for you.  If you do decide that you prefer to age in place rather than move to a new retirement location, my next blog post will cover some of the resources that are becoming available to people who decide to remain in their current neighborhoods after retirement.

If you want to learn more about the options that are available to you after you retire, check out the articles listed in the index links below.  Click on the category that interests you and it will open up to an introduction with a list of articles on that topic:

Gifts, Travel and Family Relationships

Great Places for Boomers to Retire Overseas

Great Places to Retire in the United States

Health and Medical Topics for Baby Boomers

Money and Financial Planning for Retirement

You are reading from the blog:  http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com


Photo of retirement poster courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Good News for Pessimists

Do you see half a glass of your favorite beverage as half empty or half full?  Those who see it as half empty are considered pessimists, and many of them have been told all their lives that having a negative outlook is bad for their health.

Most of us believe that being optimistic is essential if we want to live a long, happy life.  While being optimistic might increase our sense of contentment and satisfaction, apparently it does not increase the length of our lives, according to an article posted by the American Psychological Society.  When German researchers studied 40,000 people between the ages of 18 and 96 over a ten year period, the results were quite interesting.

Disadvantages of Being Optimistic

According to the German researchers, when people are optimistic, they often have a life philosophy that tells them "everything will work out" or "everything will be OK."  While this seems like a great way to look at life, the downside is that people who have this attitude may be less likely to make lifestyle changes that will improve their lives.

When people focus only on the positive, they tend to believe that there is no need to worry about their bad habits, such as eating, drinking or smoking too much.  They convince themselves that, as long as they are happy, they don't have anything to worry about.

Even when a doctor points out a health concern to them, such as high blood pressure, they may tell themselves that it really isn't that serious of a problem.

The Advantages of Being Pessimistic

Pessimists, on the other hand, know that things can go wrong.  They worry about their health.  They are concerned that they may be injured in an accident or fall prey to a serious disease.


As a result, pessimists are more likely to live cautiously.  They are less likely to take unnecessary risks.  They tend to eat healthy foods.  Pessimists are also more likely to go to the doctor and follow his instructions, especially if they suspect they have health symptoms that could be serious.

In addition to taking care of their health and medical conditions, pessimists are less likely to take up dangerous hobbies such as motorcycle racing or skydiving.  In fact, they are less likely to engage in activities that are even a little bit dangerous because they are acutely aware of the risks.

When pessimists do engage in an adventurous activity, such as snow skiing, they are more likely to use all the protective equipment they can and stick to the designated trails.  While they may want to have fun from time to time, they do not want to be foolish.

The bottom line is that the German researchers discovered that pessimists actually have a lower rate of death and disability than optimists!

What Should You Do With This Information?

Most of us have a natural tendency to be either optimistic or pessimistic.  We may feel as if we have no choice in the matter.  However, we can all take a lesson from this research.  If you are a natural optimist, you may try to live a little more like a pessimist.  Try to take better care of your health.  Use safety precautions.  See the doctor, and pay attention to what he tells you.

If you are a natural pessimist, relax a little.  Life may not be quite as dangerous as you fear.  After all, you are already taking plenty of the right precautions!

Read more about the German research in this article from the American Psychological Association:

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/599672/?sc=rsln 

If you are interested in reading more information about aging and retirement, check out the articles listed in the index links below. 

Gifts, Travel and Family Relationships

Great Places for Boomers to Retire Overseas

Great Places to Retire in the United States

Health and Medical Topics for Baby Boomers

Money and Financial Planning for Retirement



You are reading from the blog:  http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com

Photo of "glass half full or empty" courtesy of www.en.wikipedia.org/commons

Sunday, April 7, 2013

More Places to Retire Overseas

Baby Boomers are well-traveled and love new experiences.  As a result, many of them are giving serious consideration to retiring overseas.  Consequently, a number of different websites have produced their own lists of some of their favorite places to retire outside the United States.  In December, 2012, U.S. News published the list they had compiled.  All the locations on their list are fun, interesting places where you will not be lonely.  Most of them have thriving ex-patriot communities made up of retired Americans.  Below is the U.S. News list, along with some basic information and my personal impressions of each.

Where to Retire Overseas

Cuenca, Ecuador

Ecuador is considered one of the more affordable places for Americans to retire.  As I have mentioned before in this blog, some retired friends of ours were actually house-hunting in Ecuador when the wife was stricken by an unexpected brain aneurism.  The doctors and medical facilities in Ecuador were amazing, and she was able to receive life saving brain surgery there.  Of course, their plans to move to Ecuador were interrupted, and now they are back in the United States while she recuperates.

According to U.S. News, a retired couple could live in the charming colonial city of Cuenca for about $1,200 a month.  A small condo there can be purchased for as little as $40,000. This means that many Americans could pay cash for a nice condo in Ecuador by using the equity in their current home, and live comfortably on their Social Security benefits.  It was this affordability that first attracted our friends, as well as many other people.

Granada, Nicaragua

This is another charming city in Central America with an affordable cost of living and low real estate prices.  The government of Nicaragua has had a bad reputation in recent years, so many people may be reluctant to visit this area.  However, there is an ex-patriot community of Americans living in Granada, and most of them feel very comfortable living there. 

Cebu, Philippines

The island of Cebu is another popular and affordable real estate location.  Many members of the U.S. military have chosen to  retire here because they can live so well on their military retirement.  There are some restrictions on purchasing real estate in the Philippines, but it is still possible for Americans to purchase a condo.

One of the more interesting comments the U.S. News article made about the Philippines was that many American men in their 50's and 60's move there to find wives and start families!  That is the first time I have ever read that about a potential retirement location.

Medellin, Columbia

According to the U.S. News article, this South American city is safe and beautiful.  There are also large literary, artistic, industrial and financial communities in the city.  However, personally I was surprised to see Medellin on the list.  Isn't that the location of the Medellin drug cartel?  Before flying off to this city, I suggest that my readers check the State Department website to make sure there are no travel warnings for that location.  Currently, the State Department website says "security in Columbia has improved significantly in recent years ... but violence linked to narco-trafficking continues to affect some rural areas and parts of large cities."   Later, the website talks about the danger of both violent and petty crimes. 

This brings to mind the fact that we should all do our own research and use our own judgement before moving to another country, even if we see a location on a list from U.S. News or some other reputable news source.

New Zealand

I have known several friends who vacationed in New Zealand, and they always returned full of enthusiam for this dramatically beautiful country.  This is considered a good place to retire part-time, because it is so difficult to become a full-time resident.  However, you can stay for six months at a time, return to the U.S. to visit friends and family, and then return to New Zealand. 

Another option that U.S. News recommends is that you spend six months of the year in New Zealand and six months in another country, like Panama.  This would give you a perpetual summer.  It is an intriguing suggestion, although I think many Americans might want to spend at least part of each year back in their old neighborhoods in the U.S., especially if they have left family behind.  One advantage of New Zealand is that they speak English.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

My husband and I first traveled to Puerto Vallarta in the early 1970's.  Back then, a number of celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor, had vacation homes in the town. We fell in love with this tropical paradise and have returned several times since then.  Unfortunately, the area has become more developed and more expensive since the 1970's.   While it is not as cheap as some of the other spots mentioned here, it is beautiful.  There are fabulous beaches, golf courses, restaurants, shopping, marinas and five star hotels with great entertainment venues. However, in recent years I have also heard reports of increased crime in the city. 

Samana, Dominican Republic

Are you hoping to enjoy a relaxed Caribbean retirement?   The Dominican Republic is one of the more popular Caribbean locations.  It is very affordable and real estate is less expensive than in many other Caribbean countries.

One of our daughters went on vacation there with some friends.  The trip was very inexpensive, and there were lots of fun things to do.  They found the country to be both relaxing and vibrant.  They felt comfortable and safe while they were there.  Of course, it never pays to get careless about your personal safety in any country.

Rural France

This U.S. News suggestion surprised me.  I have actually heard rural Spain mentioned more often as an interesting and affordable place for Americans to retire.  U.S. News admits that France is not a budget retirement choice.  However, my husband and I have traveled to France several times and loved it, and so have many other couples we know.  There is no question that there is plenty to do, although not everyone can afford to retire there.

Belize

I was delighted to learn from this article that Belize is one of the safest countries in the world.  It is a tiny country.  Although I have not been inside Belize, my husband and I have spent time on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, just north of Belize, and were fascinated by the Mayan ruins and the mountainous jungles. It is an awe-inspiring part of the world.

Although it has been decades since our visit, I understand that most of that area has changed very little over the years.  There is no reason to feel lonely if you retire there. Ambergris Caye in Belize is home to a close-knit expat community of like-minded people.

Before You Move Overseas

If you are thinking about retiring to another country, there are certain things you need to take into consideration.  Not all of these countries have easy access to medical facilities.  Some of them have restrictions on your ability to buy real estate.  Other countries have restrictions on how long you can stay.

In addition, governments change and sometimes they may not always be friendly towards foreigners who have moved there.  As always, I suggest that my readers check the State Department website if they are visiting or moving to another country.  Pay attention to any warnings that may be issued.

Another issue you should consider is whether or not you will be happy living so far away from your current friends and loved ones.  While it may seem like an adventure at first, you may begin to feel lonely, especially if you lose your spouse.

However, if you are up for an adventure and you want to have the experience of living in another country, US News has provided us with a great list of potential countries.

Sources:

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/On-Retirement/2012/12/04/best-overseas-retirement-options-for-2013

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1090.html

If you are trying to decide where to retire, you may also be interested in reading some of the other posts that have been written for this blog.  Links to all of them can be found in the index articles listed below.  In particular, you may be interested in checking out the articles in "Great Places for Boomers to Retire Overseas."

Gifts, Travel and Family Relationships

Great Places for Boomers to Retire Overseas

Great Places to Retire in the United States

Health and Medical Topics for Baby Boomers

Money and Financial Planning for Retirement

You are reading from the blog:  http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com

Photo of Ecuadorian art courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Lake Ashton Florida Active Adult Community

The Lake Wales, FL area is lovely.
One of the retirement communities that keeps coming up when I do research on over-55 communities is Lake Ashton, near Lake Wales, Florida.  This master planned community has many of the amenities offered in other age restricted communities, as well as some that are more unique because of the access to the nearby water recreational area.  For those of you who are comparing a variety of retirement communities before making your final decision, here are some features of Lake Ashton that may be of importance to you.

Lake Ashton Amenities

1200 Acres that front Lake Ashton
26,000 sq. ft. clubhouse
Two 18-hole private golf courses
Driving Range
Eagle's Nest Sports Pub
Pro Shop
Boat ramp and dock with slips
RV and Boat Storage area
Indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a whirlpool spa
Movie theater with surround-sound
Bowling alley
Lighted tennis and shuffleboard courts
On-site restaurant and lounge
Ballroom
Library
Game room
Billiards tables
Arts and crafts room, including a kiln for ceramics
Computer lab with internet access
30,000 sq. ft. health and fitness center
Personal Trainer and Nutritionist
Indoor Track, basketball and racquetball court
Weight room and aerobics area
Sauna
24-hour manned gatehouse


Lake Ashton "Green" Retirement Homes

The Lake Ashton community is located in Central Florida between Orlando and Tampa in what is known at the Lakeland-Winter Haven area, near the town of Lake Wales, just off Highway 27.  In addition to the amenities within the community, residents are only about a one hour drive from Tampa where they can visit Busch Gardens.  Within a much shorter drive, residents can enjoy nearby Bok Sanctuary (pictured above), Lake Kissimmee, and Cyprus Gardens.  In the other direction, it is also approximately a one hour drive to Orlando, home of Disney World, Sea World and many other amusement parks and attractions.

This region of Florida, located half-way between the metropolitan areas of Orlando and Tampa, is surrounded by citrus groves and rolling hills, and is dotted with lakes.  It is a fun recreational area for people of all ages.  Lake Ashton is an over-55 gated community that has been designed for adults who want to live an active lifestyle.


The homes are certified "green," which means they have extra insulation, energy saving appliances, and indoor paints and floor coverings that are designed to provide better quality indoor air for a healthier lifestyle.

Homes are also designed for beauty and efficiency, with skylights, custom windows, french doors, art niches, built-in entertainment centers, custom countertops and cabinets, jetted garden bath tubs, and other features commonly found in luxury homes.

Single Family homes start at around $150,000, with larger and more luxurious homes selling for up to $450,000.

How to Visit Lake Ashton and Find Out More

One way to find out more about this eleven year old planned community is through their "Great Escape" program.  You can get a special Lake Ashton rate at a nearby Hampton Inn.  During your stay you will have the opportunity to meet current homeowners, get a guided tour, and see the model homes, golf courses and other amenities.

If you want to set up your own Great Escape, call (866) 525-3274 to make the arrangements.

Sources:

http://www.55places.com/florida/communities/lake-ashton
http://www.lakeashton.com/

If you are interested in learning more about your retirement options, you may want to read additional articles from this blog in the section entitled "Great Places to Retire in the United States."  Shown below are all the index articles for this blog.  If you click on one of the titles below, you will find a list of additional helpful blog posts on each topic:

Gifts, Travel and Family Relationships

Great Places for Boomers to Retire Overseas

Great Places to Retire in the United States

Health and Medical Topics for Baby Boomers

Money and Financial Planning for Retirement


You are reading from the blog:  http://baby-boomer-retirement.blogspot.com

Photo of Bok Sanctuary courtesy of www.en.wikipedia.org/commons