One question that often comes up when an older adult begins the search for a Senior Living community is what area to look in. When adult children live far away, this can be a tough decision to make.

Moving far away during retirement years usually means building a new social network and learning your way around a whole new city or town. On the flipside is the advantage of being close to your adult child—and possibly even the grandkids!

Four Things to Consider When Deciding Where to Live During Retirement

Here are four things to take in to consideration as you are making this decision:

• Companionship and support: Most seniors want to be close to the people they love most as they grow older. But moving closer to your adult child isn’t always the best solution. If they travel frequently for work or pleasure, have a demanding career that requires working long hours, or are transferred from one city to another every few years, relocating may not work. You might not be able to count on them for companionship and support. The circle of friends you have in your current location might be a better solution.
• Access to care: If you currently live in a very rural area, the options for senior living and healthcare might not be as plentiful. This is a very important factor to consider. You may want to explore options in both areas and then decide if one area will provide you with better access to senior living, hospitals, and physicians.
• Familiarity brings comfort: Change can be difficult at any age, but especially so as we grow older. You’ll want to weigh the positives of moving to a brand new location against the benefits of staying close to your current home. Are you involved in volunteer work that you cherish or a church that will be hard to replace? Make time to take an honest inventory of what you enjoy most about your life now and what advantages you will gain by moving to a senior community closer to your family.
• Follow your heart: This is a move you probably won’t want to make again unless you absolutely must. So it’s important to follow your heart. Think carefully about what is most important in your life and how you want to spend your retirement years.

Creating a Comfortable Environment

We have a complimentary guide you might find useful as you are planning your move to a Senior Living Community. The Sunrise Home Design Guide is packed with helpful tips on furniture arrangement, lighting, and more.