Whenever you move to a new place, you are buying more than a new home, townhouse or condo. You are also buying the community itself, including its amenities, weather, culture and lifestyle.
That’s important to keep in mind if you are 50-plus years old and moving, because tastes in those subject areas tend to change with age. What you wanted in your 20s is not necessarily what you want in your 50s.
Fortunately, South Florida offers amenities to please people of all ages, which is why so many people are moving here. Here are five things to keep in mind when you’re moving in your 50s rather than your 20s.
Different Amenities
Generally speaking, those in their 20s are much more interested in club culture and nightlife. Those in their 50s still like to go out for fun, but they will likely focus more on laidback pubs, restaurants and maybe the more relaxed beach bars rather than dancing until dawn. They are also much more likely to regularly attend sporting events, visit parks, and frequent cultural amenities such as museums and art galleries. You’ll want a place that offers plenty of art, music and culture.
Downsizing
When you’re 50, it’s often time to start considering downsizing your personal belongings. That includes giving stuff away to family members, selling things that have value that you no longer use (jet skis, maybe, or mountain bikes) or simply throwing out clutter.
Forbes also suggests “downshifting” perhaps so people won’t confuse downsizing with getting downsized. Whatever the case, part of their advice is to consider smaller communities away from urban cores. These areas can provide plenty of amenities, access to entertainment and an escape from the crush of humanity in big cities and the surrounding suburbs.
Making Friends
Florida ranks high for those seeking to meet people from everywhere. That’s because 126 million people visit every year, and more than 900 move permanently to Florida every day. There are many chances to make new friends and acquaintances, no matter your age.
For those over 50, Florida is a rare place that offers the chance in your older years to make even more friends than you made in your younger years. There are, for example, 2,185 members of the MeetUp group “Over 50 (Going on 30) in South Florida and Not Dead Yet” which has events every week ranging from volunteer work to trivia nights and going out for dinner or a movie. There are similar groups for Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and every other town in South Florida. About 20% of the population is over the age of 60.
Embrace Change
In your 20s, you want change. In your 50s, that is not always the case. For many people, the temptation to compare your new city with your old city is strong. That can lead to never being satisfied with where you live. If you’re over 50, it’s especially important to appreciate your new location for what it offers, quirks and all. It will help you enjoy yourself more at the moment.
Weather
South Florida – all of Florida, really – is hot and humid in the summer. However, between October and March, it is paradise, with beautiful blue skies, puffy white clouds, and temperatures that reach the upper 70s and lower 80s. This trade-off, along with no snow in the winter, is an acceptable one for most people. This doesn’t matter so much in your 20s when a Chicago winter is just another cool thing to experience. But in your 50s, you’ve likely had enough of snow and freezing temperatures. This is why Florida, Arizona, and Southern California still attract older residents – and even a lot of younger ones, too.
Keeping these five areas in mind can help you focus on what’s really important when you move in your 50s as compared to moving in your 20s. Moving at any age can still be a great adventure if you make the right priorities and plan ahead.
