Thank you for reading this special guest post on relocating after retirement from tidyhome.info.
Relocating after retirement is a popular option. A surprising 400,000 Americans decided it was the right choice in 2020, sending them to states that may better meet their post-retirement needs.
In 2020, these were the top state’s retirees moved to:
- Virginia – 15.1%
- Florida – 13.5%
- Wyoming – 10.3%
- Pennsylvania – 7%
- Idaho – 4.9%
- Texas – 3.8%
- Hawaii – 3.8%
- Oregon – 3.2%
- Vermont – 2.7%
- Rhode Island – 2.7%
While moving is common, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. It can take time to make your new house feel like home. Luckily, you can speed things up by using the right strategy.
Steps to quickly settling in when relocating after retirement
Tackle the Utilities and Insurance
Once you have a move-in date, set up your utilities. Schedule them for the day you take possession of the property, ensuring you’ll have water, electricity, gas, and trash service from the beginning.
You’ll also want to set up your renters or homeowners’ insurance in advance, ensuring you have same-day coverage. However, be aware that homeowner’s insurance only covers damage to the house structure, theft of belongings, and injuries on the property.
If you want to be prepared for home systems and appliance breakdowns, you need a home warranty, too. Home warranty coverages for appliances and systems are annually renewable contracts that cover appliance repairs and costs associated with HVAC, electrical, and plumbing system issues, ensuring you have the financial support you need.
Change the Locks
Feeling safe and secure in your new home is crucial for getting settled. By changing the locks, you ensure that no past owner or resident has a key to your house, protecting you and your belongings from intrusion and theft.
You can get new lock sets from a home improvement store if you own the home. Alternatively, you can rekey the existing locks, something that you might prefer if you like the existing hardware or want to keep your costs down.
Start With a Clean Home
If you have access to your new home before your belongings arrive, spend time cleaning the property. Even if the last owners or tenants were reasonably tidy, doing a once-over lets you remove any newly accumulated dust or clean overlooked dirt and grime.
For example, it’s smart to do a deep clean on the fridge while it’s empty since bacteria or mold in refrigerator drawers are potentially hazardous. It’s also easier to wipe down the inside of cabinets when food isn’t in the way.
Unpack Strategically
While moving commonly comes with a dip in well-being, living surrounded by boxes often makes that harder to overcome. By unpacking as soon as you arrive, you’ll settle in far faster than if you delay.
However, you want to use a methodical unpacking approach, ensuring you organize your belongings as you proceed. Start with bathrooms to ensure they’re usable. Next, move onto your bedroom, giving you a place to rest without being surrounded by boxes.
As you handle each space, find “homes” for every item. That’ll make locating them again easier. Plus, it creates a foundation for remaining organized. Additionally, if you didn’t declutter when you packed, use the Four-Box Method to tackle it now, ensuring nothing unnecessary takes up permanent residence in your new house.
Along the way, take a moment to clean any items that weren’t wiped down as they were packed up or covered in transit dust. That’s especially critical for dishes and cookware, as dirt and grime collected while the boxes were in motion isn’t something you want to eat or drink.
Order Groceries Online
Being able to cook delicious meals can make you feel settled in at your new place. Try ordering groceries online for an easy dinner. Whether you do pick up or delivery, it’ll let you get what you need in less time.
Final thoughts
Moving to a different city or state is an exciting new journey. If you’re considering relocating after retirement, you may be wondering where to move to. When searching for a new location, you should first ask why you want to move in the first place.
Why do people move away when they retire?
- Leaving cold states for warmer climates
- Moving to a state or city with a lower cost of living
- To experience a new environment
- Leaving a city for nature
- Leaving bad memories behind
- A new adventure
Before deciding, try renting an Airbnb in the area you want to move to. This will allow you to act like a local — trying nearby restaurants, grocery stores, and coffee shops — and see if that neighborhood is right for you.
Good luck on your new journey, and have a happy retirement!
