“Ever since the girls left home, my wife and I realized we were only using two or three rooms in the house.”
Sound familiar?
Many older adults plan to move in the future — about 37% of baby boomers, to be exact. They don’t have the same space needs anymore, they frequently travel, they’re sick of the upkeep, etc.
But one thing holds them back: the hassle of moving. It can be a daunting task, especially if you’ve lived in the same house or apartment home for decades.
However, there are some ways you can make the process as painless as possible for yourself. Toward that end, we’ve gathered some practical moving tips and tricks to help you move after (or even before) retirement.
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But First...
Of course, you can’t move until you’ve chosen a new place to live. For more on that, you can
read our blog, 5 Questions to Consider before Choosing a Retirement Community.
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How to Move: 5 Tips and Tricks to Get You Started
1. Begin Downsizing as Early as Possible
This is the first step you should take before moving. Even if you aren’t planning on moving for a few years, it’s best to start downsizing as soon as possible.
That’s because it works best as an ongoing process. If you tried to go through all your belongings, find a new home for donated goods, sell any antiques or valuables you no longer wish to keep, etc. in one day (or even one week), you would be setting yourself a Sisyphean task.
To get started downsizing, you can use this guide, 6 Efficient Ways to Downsize and Destress.
2. Hire Help
When moving, it doesn’t hurt to leave some things to the experts. Hiring a professional moving company can help make the transition much easier. Depending on the company you hire, they can help with things such as packing, unpacking, disassembling furniture and, of course, transportation.
You can also hire senior move managers who help with the downsizing and organizing tasks that need to take place before the movers arrive. Though they typically don’t help with the physical move (that would still be done by the moving company), they help with things such as arranging auctions or estate sales, helping you find a reputable mover or preparing a house for sale.
To find a moving professional, ask your friends or relatives if they have any recommendations. If you’re moving to a retirement community, you could reach out and ask if they have any advice.
You can also search online directories. However, be sure to do a little digging to make sure the company is trustworthy. The Better Business Bureau is always a good place to check.
3. Make a Moving Checklist
To be sure you don’t miss anything over the moving process, create a moving checklist. You can begin with a basic moving checklist like this one, then add specific things you don’t want to forget as you go along.
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Related: When Should I Move to a Life Plan Community?
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4. Audit Your Accounts
Who all has your address? It’s a good idea to sit down and go through all your bank accounts, insurance policies, cell phone plans and so on to update your contact and billing information. You can fill out a change of address with the USPS, but it’s possible that things could slip through the cracks. Besides, you’ll have to update those records eventually, anyways, and it will help to do so while it’s top-of-mind.
Don’t forget your doctor and dentist. If you’re moving far enough that you won’t be able to see them anymore, ask them for an authorization form to begin transferring medical records to your new provider.
While you’re at it, pass on your new address to friends and family members.
5. Stay Safe
No, this isn’t about staying physically safe (although, maybe don’t let your spouse lift that heavy box of books from the library). When you move, it’s a good idea to take certain measures to protect your identity and sensitive information.
AARP offers these security tips for moving:
- Submit an IRS Change Request Form to make sure personal tax information doesn’t get sent to your old location.
- Remove or lock up personal information during open houses.
- Shred any personal information or old paperwork that will not be making the move.
Also, consider moving important paperwork (and other valuable or sensitive items) yourself. You may trust your moving company implicitly, but if you have those items with you or ship them with insurance, it’s just an extra precaution to mitigate the risk of them getting lost in transit.
Lastly, if you’re selling an old computer that you’ve chosen to part with, make sure it’s wiped clean before it goes to the new owner. You can erase it yourself if you feel comfortable doing so, but you also have the option of taking it to a professional to complete the job.
Ready to Start Planning the Move?
Still have some reservations? Retirement communities can help provide you with the resources you need to make the move as seamless as possible. If you have questions about moving to a retirement community, contact us today.
Also, if you’re ready to get started on Tip #1, download our free guide, Do’s and Don’ts of Downsizing, for more tips on how to begin.
