If you’re planning to move in retirement, take lifestyle changes as well as lower costs into consideration. Someone who has become used to an urban lifestyle, for example, might move to a planned retirement community in the boondocks and discover there’s no opera, very few restaurants, and so forth. You may not be happy living the rest of your life this way.
Moreover, don’t be too concerned with the economics of a move. Some people focus on buying a lower-priced house or paying less in tax so they move away from their family. From then on, they regret not being able to spend time with their grandchildren. The pull of family and friends is very strong among retirees.
Aside from family togetherness, the top considerations for economically comfortable retirees who relocate are climate, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. Such seniors are known as amenity migrants–they go somewhere else for the amenities.
