Most of us look forward to being retired. After an era of toil, we can finally kick back, relax, and enjoy the rewards of our labors. Some find that when they get to senior citizen status that they also need to move. Maybe it's because they don’t need the space in their Houston abode with their children grown and moved away, maybe it is because they are now living on a fixed income, or maybe they want to finally plant roots in that sultry climate they have always dreamed about. Regardless your reason for moving after you reach retiree status, it's imperative to give the task some careful consideration.
Tip #1: Ponder Moving When the Weather Turns Colder
An advantage of being a retiree is that you are no longer obligated to keep the same schedules as people who must work. You want to go to the grocery in the middle of a Tuesday? Go for it, you are the master of your schedule. Want to hit a movie matinee when everyone else is at work? Enjoy the show! And should you choose to move, then you can do so in the off-season, when cost and demand are at their lowest.
Summer is the busiest time for moving for several good reasons (warm weather, the kids are done with school, etc.), and hence it's also the most expensive time of year to move. Changing your move date by a few months one way or the other can save you a lot of money.
Tip #2: If You Don't Have to Have It, Don't Move It
The more time you live in your home, the more belongings you pick up. Everything, from sweaters you haven't worn in a decade, to papers from a job you barely remember, fills in the crevices in your home. So, before you begin packing, clean house. Ask yourself if you've used the item in the last several years. If you haven't, you probably don't need it. So, sell it, gift it, give it away to friends or family, but if you don't need to keep it, don't move it.
Tip #3: Make a Plan
Moving isn't something you should do last minute, especially not when you're retireed. You need to sit down, do your research, and ensure you have everything organized. You need to know your ultimate desired destination, how you’ll get there, if you need to hire a professional Houston mover, when you're going to go, and most importantly, you need to have your budget figured out down to the nickel. And, just to be on the safe side, you should have several alternative strategies in place, just in case something changes, or doesn't work the way you want or need it to.
Tip #4: Preparation
Planning is when you write out your agenda; preparation is when you start the groundwork. When you're preparing for a move, you're paring down your possessions, setting aside money for the moving expenses, deciding when to start working with a realtor, etc. Preparation is the second part of the three-act play that is a move.
Tip #5: Slow Down
Moving shouldn’t be done in a rush. Decisions need to be thought about, and you should have all the facts on-hand before making major decisions. Beyond that, you should set aside time to prepare and resolve any loose ends that remain before you finish packing and head off toward your destination. You don’t have to rush, so go at a gait you're comfortable with.
Not sure where to start? A-1 Freeman Moving Group in Houston will be glad to help you every step of the way. Get a free estimate here.
