If you’re edging toward those carefree golden years, chances are you’ve come across the term “independent living.” Essentially, this means staying on your own, minus the headaches of maintaining a home. Here are some tips on when to know if you are ready for this transition to a simpler way of living.

The benefits of living independently

If you’ve decided you’re ready for this path, there are many benefits to independent living just waiting for you to take hold of. First off, you’re likely to find a suitable property in a community that caters to the needs of those well into their 50s and beyond by doing a quick search online. Also, these communities usually have all the amenities you could ask for nearby, so you wouldn’t have to travel far at all to get to them.

Letting go of the old, embracing the new

If you’ve grown weary of your current living conditions and have decided that independent living is for you, it may be time to start letting go of the old and embracing the new. You’ll have to let go of your current property, which you can get a realtor to list online at a market-related price. The next step will likely involve downsizing by getting rid of those items that you don’t need anymore so that you can make space for the new.

Raising funds you need to buy a property

Although you may be selling your home to acquire a new one, there are no guarantees that you’ll make a profitable sale, as the housing market can be volatile. So, you may need to consider other options to build up a nice nest egg for your golden years by selling your business if you feel the time is right to do so. Before setting the asking price for your company, give it a realistic appraisal by viewing it from the buyer’s perspective. This way, you’ll have thought of all the possible questions that might come your way in closing the deal so that you aren’t caught off-guard unexpectedly. Also, ensure that you are closing down the business the correct way. This will involve filing the article of dissolution, notifying all employees and paying them what’s due to them, canceling your EIN number, setting any outstanding tax issues, and setting any debts before you can move on.

Making the move

Once you’ve tied up any loose ends, you can start the moving process by moving over what you have left to your new living quarters. If you don’t have much to transport, it might be cheaper and easier to ask for help from loved ones to move the lot over. Otherwise, moving companies are there to manage this stressful task for you. Don’t hesitate to ask for referrals to find a moving company that can safely transport your belongings.

Transitioning to independent living shouldn’t be that much of an adjustment if you are used to living on your own. In fact, it’s probably going to be a whole lot better as you take advantage of the perks of independent living without as much responsibility. Call our firm today for more help.

Thanks to our guest blogger, Hazel Bridges, for this helpful article. As an older adult in her own “carefree golden years”, she is uniquely positioned to help others understand the joys and challenges of aging.  You can read more of Ms Bridges’ work on her website, Aging Wellness.