Written by Mary Shannon, mary@seniorsmeet.org
Moving after retirement isn't for everybody — and those who choose to take the plunge into a different lifestyle after decades of building a career usually have a good reason for doing so. You may want to move closer to your adult children and their kids, relocate to a favorite city, or simply downsize the home you raised a family in decades ago.
Settling into a new house may bring up mixed emotions. Take the following tips from Aging Collective into account to start feeling at home in your new residence quickly.
1. Set Up Utilities and Insurance before Moving
You may feel out of practice making a moving checklist if it's been a long time since you've relocated. Putting the new home's utilities — including electric, gas, water, internet, home security, and any other applicable services — in your name before moving day will go a long way to decrease your overall stress. You may need homeowner's insurance that includes provisions for earthquakes, fires, tornadoes, or other natural disasters depending upon where you live.
2. Invest in Your New Home's Appearance
You'll want to coordinate your move with a well-reviewed moving company long before the day you relocate, but after that day, much of the homemaking will fall on your shoulders. Bring your favorite decorations, paintings, and wall hangings to make the new place look like the home you left, and consider arranging your furniture in a similar way to ease your transition into a new space.
3. Add Scents to Conjure Happy Memories
Did you know that your sense of smell is the strongest trigger for memory? Fill your home with anything that brings to mind happy memories. You may wish to purchase a candle in your favorite scent, spray perfume on a pillow, or use incense to trigger memories of a former home or a beloved person in your life.
4. Consider Working With an Aging Specialist
According to experts, people over the age of 65 often have a more positive outlook on life than they did in their youth — but they also deal with physical issues such as a slowed-down metabolism, bone loss, and a decrease in muscle mass. Working with an aging specialist recommended by Aging Collective, who is a professional who can connect you with a medical care team, counseling, or simply help you work through issues of daily life in your new location, can go a long way to helping you feel stable in your new home.
5. Protect Your Belongings With a Home Warranty
Many homeowners don't understand the differences between home insurance and a home warranty. While home insurance covers your home's physical structure and its residents' personal injuries in the event of a disaster, a home warranty is necessary if you want coverage for the repairs of your appliances, plumbing, air conditioning, and other home systems. Check out reviews for the home warranties you're considering before you select a policy for yourself to ensure that you are getting a budget-friendly deal.
Whether you are moving because it's always been your dream to live in a condo by the beach or because you simply don't want to manage a four-bedroom house anymore, there are many small and large fixes that you can start putting into place long before your move. Follow these tips and your new house will feel like home much faster than you thought it would!
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