As baby boomer retirees increase in number, many face difficult decisions, uncertain futures and a great deal of anxiety. Many look to retirement with anticipation and excitement — at the prospect of traveling the world, visiting the grandchildren, fulfilling their long-suppressed desire to play golf every day, tend to myriad "honey-dos" around the house or just sleep late and drink a beer with lunch. Others plan their retirement with meticulous care and make decisions based on clear and intelligent planning, need and desire.
Several of our retired friends and colleagues have stayed in their homes and maintained their social and community relationships without any thought of leaving the area. Many others, however, sold their homes, took their dollars and went back to their roots in small towns in mid-America, or to a retirement community or town known for warm weather and various services geared to retirees.
Having known friends who sold their homes and moved away, we often talk about challenges they faced as they made their major moves. All too often, their biggest challenge was to meet new friends and neighbors, reestablish relationships and develop a new life and routine in a new environment. Those who move to established retirement communities seem to be happy to live among people their age and who share their interests and activities. They are able to join in the many available activities that such communities provide their retirees. Several of our friends mentioned that they are very happy to have made the move and they feel comfortable and secure in the safety and peace of their new homes.
