The upside of downsizing. Five tips to make the move easier for retirees
Following these five simple tips will help ensure this significant change is as stress-free as possible and create a path for an exciting new phase of your life.
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20 December 2022
Stories
| Retirement Living
The upside of downsizing. Five tips to make the move easier for retirees
Our fabulous retirement villages focus on community living, making downsizing something to cherish rather than dread for retirees. Nevertheless, there is still a great deal of emotion around the thought and process of moving out of the family home. There are the many practicalities to consider such as finding the right retirement living option, sorting through household items and family treasures and negotiating the sale and purchase of properties.
Following these five simple tips will help ensure this significant change is as stress-free as possible and create a path for an exciting new phase of your life.
1. Community with your family
Sitting down with loved ones to explain why you are downsizing and what you’re trying to achieve is a crucial step. This helps all family members understand your decision process and opens the way for discussion.
2. Have a clear plan
When considering possible retirement living options, ensure you know what you want and don’t want – and write down your key must-haves. If living near the beach is a dream, for example, there is little point in checking out properties away from the coast.
Decide on the level of luxury you desire and whether leisure facilities such as pools, spas, barbecue terraces and community gardens are on the list. Is it important to you to live near shops, cafés and medical facilities? Setting out your priorities and what matters most to you from the outset will make the decision-making process less confusing and help narrow down your choices.
3. Do your homework
After honing your search, look beyond the glossy brochures to determine if the property is really right for you. Talk to current residents about their personal experiences and sit down with the village staff to go over all your questions and concerns. This will give you a feel for the culture of the retirement village and its management style.
Your queries will range from basic questions (such as, are pets allowed?, are white goods, phones and data-cabling supplied in the units?, what social activities are available?, etc) through to more complex considerations (such as, what do the body corporate fees cover?, how much deposit is required to secure an apartment?, what are the refund policies?, etc). Another big issue in an era when the population is ageing is to check whether a retirement village can offer aged care services such as home care and residential aged care homes as your medical needs evolve.
4. Seek professional advice
Moving into a retirement living village is a major financial decision, so seek out advice from accountants or financial planners well in advance of any intended move. This will help you better understand your options and potential commitments with matters such as legal and estate agent fees, stamp duty and any contracts you are required to sign.
The managers of reputable retirement living communities will also be happy to provide clarity around big issues such as service standards, healthcare costs and the calculation of departure fees.
5. Get involved in your new community
Once you have settled into your new home, make sure you make the most of it. Take part in the available social activities and reach out to make new friends. You are sure to find others who share your interests.
How do I find a retirement village near me?
If you’d like to know more about BaptistCare's retirement villages, you can find your closest village.
BaptistCare has been trusted by thousands of Australians across the retirement living, aged care and community service sectors since 1944. While we are not-for-profit, there are a few things that we certainly are for: outstanding quality and a quest to truly make a difference, not just in our retirement living communities, but in all communities.
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