Investing your money in real estate is one of the cleverest decisions a person can make. People buy themselves new homes to expand because they got a new job in another city or state or because they are looking for a better place to raise a family. However, when it comes to seniors, most of them invest in real estate to have a perfect relaxing place to spend their retirement days. Then it isn’t so surprising that many say The Sunshine State is their first choice. For all those planning to make a similar decision, here are several Florida relocation tips for seniors.
1. Early preparation
If you have collected some money before your retirement and plan to invest it into real estate in Florida, you are making the right decision. However, the relocation process is not an easy task. Especially for seniors. That is why, to handle everything right, you need to create a perfect strategic plan.
The very first thing about planning is to start on time. The whole relocation process is usually a mess and things happen too fast. That is why early preparation is so important. If you make some decisions on time, all you have to do later on is to realize them.
On the other hand, having a detailed checklist of your moving process is helpful, too. Make sure you:
- calculate your finances
- set up the moving date
- hire some moving help
- organize packing and unpacking
These would be only some of the main things to consider. Every one of you should make your plan and follow it carefully.
2. Appropriate moving services
Although some people manage to deal with the whole relocation process all by themselves, handling everything is not an easy task. As the professionals from Miami Movers for Less suggest, in such matters, it is important to have reliable support by your side.
Make sure you get informed about good senior moving services in the area. Contact them, and find out about what they offer. Then, make a selection, and choose the one that suits your needs the best. At this point, it is crucial to select the moving date as soon as possible. Moving companies are usually very busy. Waiting for the last moment can easily mean you will not find an available moving crew.
3. The size of your new home matters- an important Florida relocation tip for seniors
Once buy yourself real estate, and decide to relocate there, you should try to make a list of what you can bring into your new home. Pay several visits to the place. Measure the rooms, and create an initial plan of how everything may look like. Then make a selection of your furniture, as well as of the other belongings. You surely don’t want your new home to be overcrowded with unnecessary things.
4. Downsizing
Once the measuring step is over, many homeowners see that there will be a need for some pre-relocation downsizing.
This process is best done if you go into it room by room. Take at least three boxes and start sorting your belongings. One should be for the things you want to keep, one for the ones you want to donate, and finally, one for the ones you need to throw away. Chances are high that, along the way, you will come across many old and long-forgotten items you can never use again. Moving them to a new home has no purpose. However, don’t get downsizing too emotionally. Consider it a useful way to get rid of the clutter and tidy your home. On the other hand, if you think that can be a set of hard decisions, call your friends and family members for help.
5. Packing tips
Another very important task that will put your organizational skill to the test is packing. Once you are done with decluttering, you should prepare your belongings for safe transport to your new home. First, deal with the big and bulky furnishing elements. Use all the packing means available, to protect the items from potential breaks and cracks. Then turn to the other things. Utilize more wrapping paper and bubble wrap for fragile items, and ensure your moving boxes are sturdy enough.
Do not forget to pack the bag of essentials. You surely don’t want to search for your toothbrush lost somewhere among your moving boxes when you have already been exhausted by all the relocation hustle and bustle.
However, if you feel this is something you cannot handle all by yourself, get professional help, and let them do all the work for you.
6. Proper labeling is important
Once your belongings are properly sorted, and the moving boxes are ready, it’s time to do some labeling. Doing this will take some time, but it will be of much use once you arrive at your new home and start unpacking. Knowing exactly where you have put your plates, clothes, or shoes will help you not to lose your mind the very first day at home.
7. Modern technology can help
Here comes one great thing on the list of Florida relocation tips for seniors- using modern technologies to facilitate your unpacking.
Take some pictures of the way your old home looked like. This will help you memorize the furniture arrangement in case you would like your new Florida home to resemble the old one. On the other hand, this technique can also be useful when you need to reconnect and set up all the appliances again. If there are a lot of cables to plug in, it can sometimes be a real mess.
8. Take care of your health
Do not put too much energy into the relocation process. Separate tasks on several days, and make sure you do not go over your limits. Your health should be your priority, so always take enough time to rest and sleep enough.
On the other hand, taking care of your mental health is a very important task, too. Experience has shown that seniors tend to be pretty attached to their homes. Moving away from them, thus, leaves a lot of space for sadness, anxiety, and even depression. However, in the moments such as relocation, staying sane and calm is even more important. So, if you feel like you cannot handle it and your world is falling apart, it may be a good idea to consult some professional for advice.
9. Ask for help
This is crucial for taking care of the emotional stability of every senior going through the relocation process. Asking several good friends and the closest family members to give you a helping hand can make everything faster, but it can also help you go through this emotional period much easier.
You can never say you are fully ready to leave your home. Still, that should not stop you from having a perfect retirement in one of the most beautiful states in the USA. Make some use of these Florida relocation tips for seniors, and start making plans right away.