If you consider down-sizing destination choices for more than a few minutes, you’ll quickly realize there are many more available than you might expect.
One approach you may wish to consider for your own situation is to use the “top-down” method, starting with “Country” at level one. As you review each level, you will end up filtering your choices so that you have eliminated the ones that don’t fit in favour* of a few that do. This would be an interesting exercise for a couple to do separately, then compare the “short list” of destinations. Here’s a suggestion for sequencing a “top-down” list of six simple but important criteria:
1. Country
Do you have the option of relocating to another country? Do you have or resources to do so?
2. Climate
If you live in a large country, such as Canada, there is a wide variety of regional climates. What’s your preference? (Victoria, B.C. is a popular downsizing destination because of the local climate.)
3. Province or State
One of the most important criteria down-sizers consider is the level of health care available to them by province or state. There may be a wide variation when you are making your selection.
4. Community
The size of the village, town or city is an important consideration for anyone downsizing and/or retiring. Distance to relatives, food, shopping, and local resources are typical criteria.
5. Property Type
This is the level on the list most people think of first when they consider downsizing since it deals with their living space. Here’s a list of some typical options:
- Bungalow
- Townhome
- Condo Apartment
- Cottage – four seasons or two seasons + travel
- Recreational Vehicle (RV)
- Retirement Home
- Golf community
- Sailboat (watch for a future post on this one)
6. Occupancy
Own or rent. Not everyone who downsizes wants to be a property owner. They want the flexibility of relocating that renting gives them.
Regardless of where you choose to downsize, your choice is extremely important due to the time, effort and cost of relocating. Experience shows that the more time you spend on the process described above, the more likely you are to be happy with the result.
Now it’s your turn to choose a destination …
*Canadian spelling
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Unless otherwise credited, all posts are happily authored in quill & pen by …
Paul Ferri, Broker
RE/MAX Unique Inc. Brokerage*, Toronto, Canada
*Each office independently owned and operated
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