Choosing a Senior Living Destination – Do Your Research

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Search the Internet or visit your local library, Chambers of Commerce, and Visitor Bureaus for information about retirement destinations.

Here are some other areas to research and factors to consider in choosing the best destination for your retirement:

• City demographics, including population, crime levels and cost of living.
• Local real estate markets, including housing availability, market trends, and long-term investment potential.
• Transportation, including ease of driving your own car, public transportation, and airports.
• State and local taxes, including state income tax, property tax, and local sales tax.
• Medical care, including hospital ratings and availability of specialists.
• Climate and weather. No climate is perfect. How much do you worry about the weather? Florida has hurricanes and California has earthquakes. Tornados are common in the Midwest and snowstorms plague the northeast.
• Continuing education opportunities.
• Arts, recreational and cultural activities.
• Distance from family and old friends.

Many real estate professionals recommend that retirees try before they buy. Visit prospective retirement destinations and rent or lease a home for a few months to get the feel of living there before purchasing. If you can, you may even want to purchase a retirement home several years before your targeted retirement and use it as a second home to truly get the feel of the house and the area.

Learn More About Senior Living and Real Estate
To learn more about other Senior Living and Real Estate, please review the other articles in this section.

To find a GMAC Real Estate agent with certifications as a Senior Residential Marketing Master or as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, please click here.