Retirement isn’t just a milestone. It's the beginning of something really special. After years of hard work, it’s finally time to slow down, explore new passions, and live life on your own terms.
But with this exciting chapter comes some big choices. And one of the biggest is this: does your current home still make sense for the lifestyle (and budget) you want in this next phase of life?
That’s an especially important question right now. Just in the past five years, the cost of living has jumped by 23% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). That’s based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is how changes are tracked in the average price consumers pay for goods and services (see graph below):
When you’re thinking about how to make your retirement savings last, those rising expenses matter. And if you’ve started to wonder whether your money will stretch as far as you need it to go, don’t worry. You may have more control than you think.
One way many retirees are protecting their savings is by relocating. Because your dollars do go further in some places.
Moving to an area with a lower cost of living can help you save on regular expenses like your housing, utilities, and taxes – especially if you downsize at the same time.
And that can free up room in your budget for the things that make retirement some of the best years of your life: travel, hobbies, spoiling your grandkids, or any of the other things you’ve been dreaming about doing in this next phase.
That’s not to say you have to move. It just means you’ll want to think about where you plan to live and make sure you’ve got enough savings to cover actually living there. It's all about planning. As Go Banking Rates explains:
“How much you should have saved for retirement depends on a few key factors, including your location. Where you choose to spend your golden years is critical.”
And you don’t always have to go far. Sometimes it’s out of state, but other times moving to the suburbs instead of living near the city can make a big difference. And that’s worth thinking about as you plan for your next chapter.
Whether you’re considering downsizing, moving closer to your grandkids, or heading to an area where you can stretch your savings, a real estate agent can help. They’ll work with you to explore the options that make sense for your goals – and can help make selling your current house easier. They can also connect you with trusted agents in other parts of the country if you're considering a big move.
You’ve worked hard to build a future you can enjoy. If your current home or location no longer supports that, it may be time to explore what’s next.
What does your ideal retirement look like? And could a move help make it even better? Let’s talk about how to make that vision a reality.
The big question....
What can I do for you that is different than any other Realtor or Real Estate Broker? The answer is Personal Service.
I will work for you, at your comfort level, not pressuring you to look at, or buy homes that you are not interested in. Buyers, I will not entice you to overspend and be house poor. Sellers, you always choose your selling price. I will inform you of the current market and the trends that I see. I never make choices for you. I inform. All decisions are yours to make. I am only an extension of you, doing as you instruct. I will call you, text you or email you on a time schedule that you would prefer. Frequently if you desire; or not, depending on your requests. I will be working for you; and with you, doing my very best at all times.
My name is Jennifer Louden and I really enjoy helping you.