How to Choose Where to Live After “Retirement”

Soaring to Limitless Dreams - The Teton Range, Grand Teton National Park

Wyoming, USA

On Living Where the Location Helps Create Your Moment

You have been thinking lately about your vision for life after your end of career. It is a “big deal” and there is a lot to think about. The end of your planned career Transition may occur in the near future or perhaps years later…but you know that for you, as for all of us, it will happen.

Besides the personal impact on you and your career, it will affect your family, friends, colleagues and co-workers.

Perhaps you already have some questions and are seeking answers.

Among the many questions that abound, there are two very different ones that you will need to answer in order to have a successful Transition. They are:

• Personal - How do I want to live?
• Practical - Where do I want to live?

The Questions are Common, Yet Personal

I and many others I have helped have faced the same questions…and much more.

Some of the questions are fairly simple to answer, some are difficult.

My experience is a common one. It is that the “How” question is the more difficult of the two. Yet, developing the answers to “How” is greatly facilitated by segmenting the question into simpler elements.

So, how can you begin to deal with “How” so you can more effectively determine the “Where?”

The Fundamental Questions

I find that before you determine where you want to live, you will benefit greatly from answering the question: “How do I want to live?”

The “how” is actually a much deeper question than the “where.” You will probably find it more difficult to answer. Yet, the answers lie within you and require that you reflect deeply.

There are many elements to the question of how to live. They vary in complexity and number for each person that is asking the questions…as there are for you.

Once you resolve this question, you can address the “Where?”

“How Do I Want to Live?”

These are common questions, some of which you also may have. These sample questions assume that the career you have now will completely end and that you are financially self-sufficient.

Nevertheless, if your circumstances are different (such as you want to work part-time whether you need to or not, perhaps in a different location), you may find this helpful:

• What is my source of identity, Who I am? Is it my career or my character?
• What are my personal needs for self-fulfillment? How does work vs. recreation satisfy that need?
• How can my education, experience and wisdom contribute to other endeavors?
• What is my perspective on intellectual and physical activity and its impact on healthy longevity?
• How do I find a healthy, rewarding balance between serving my needs and those of my spouse, children, family, friends and community?
• How can I balance my sources of self-fulfillment, such as a life of service to others vs. other endeavors?
• How can I relate these concerns and achieve self-fulfillment and happiness?

Now let’s tackle the second question.

Where Do I Want to Live?

I believe it is prudent and practical to begin with stipulating the premise that you and your spouse have diligently collaborated on the above questions and many others that are unique to you. You also have resolved your questions…and made major progress.

Here again, these are sample questions of a practical, perhaps mundane nature that the above answers will provide the framework for you to resolve.

• Will I live in the same place?
• Do I want to move elsewhere? Same city? Another state?
• Do I sell my current property? Do I keep it?
• Do I buy or lease long term another home? Or short term rent? Where?
• What impact will a given relocation have on my state residency status? And state taxes?
• What is my tolerance for weather? Hot vs. cold? Humid vs. dry? Tolerance for extremes?
• How important is weather for me to remain active all year?
• How accessible is my home (s) by road, airplane?
• How accessible is family, nature, recreation, hospitals, etc.?

Now, with the above sample considerations and others in mind there is one more question.

This is a major consideration that, in addition, takes into account the need for spiritual, emotional and physical comfort.

Where is that place on the planet earth, that when I am present there, I am consistently in the moment?

That is the sum of all questions.

Please consider that your spouse may have similar needs and that you will both benefit from careful deliberation.

The ability to determine collaboratively with your spouse or loved one where that special place is has enormous value to your personal fulfillment and quality of life. As that conclusion is based largely on the previous answers, it is truly much larger than the sum of its parts.

What is the next step in your path?

When will you commit to take it?

PS: Do you want to learn more from me about how to create and experience a fulfilling end of career Transition? To help you, I provide consulting services tailored to your specific needs. Click here to apply for a complimentary strategy session.

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© Enrique Fernandez, M. D.