By Vic Odarve
To
find a great place to live after retirement is not an easy task.
An environment, climate, and cost of living should be the top priority
among the concerns. Environment includes its neighborhood, crime rates,
and cultural diversity. Weather, too, considering the extremes, a cold and
hot, often affects old age health. Living cost, for many, must be
sustained. The golden age years is a life altering an event; hence a place
to live in must provide a great sense of joy and happiness.
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| Playing with kids |
The
environment dictates the way on how you live. And it is just a matter
of your choice. It could be from rural areas to a bustling city or in
the land of your birth. It depends much on your way of life… spending
time in sandy beaches to forested scenic beauty or to cities nightlife.
Others want to sing hymns and praises in the name of the Lord; thus
devoting more in the church activities. It is getting to the part of
life where we can just enjoy after retirement.
After
getting a good and sound environment, extreme weather conditions must
be checked. The place must not be extremely hot or cold. Temperate
weather throughout the year is usually the best. Typhoons, hurricane,
tsunamis, and other related weather disturbances can be a threatening
scenario among older age. Weather conditions must not affect any of your
health problems. Excruciating pain from rheumatisms, muscles aches, and
heart problems are largely aggravated by an extreme weather.
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| Relatives and friends |
Whether
you have enough savings or investments, the cost of living could not be
taken for granted. Savings and investments sometimes go wrong. Bank
closures and investment misfortunes are in the mess. Usually, living in
great cities, cost
of living is higher than nation’s average; but for those who can afford
with the lifestyle, it may set up your mood. It also has all the
required amenities and is pleasantly bustling city life. Try to locate
one which is the most cost effective and safest cities in the country.
Select a quiet, and peaceful city where the crime rates are
impressively low. Living in rural areas, however, are not expensive as
in cities and it may help well to sustain your daily needs because you
do not know how long you live. Some retirees may live 100 years or more—a centenarian— a rarity, but today it is common. Whatever you have money in banks or investment, it can be sustained further by choosing your lifestyle in retirement.
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| Davao |
You
ought not to spend your life at home alone in old age! Although money
can give conveniences, there are happiness and enjoyments that make your
retirement life worth living. Friends, relatives, family, and good
health are far more important than your large savings or investment. If
by God’s will you have enough resources, learn to share with others and
it will transform your life. Being a grandparent, leaving your sons and
daughters and their grown-up kids successful makes you feel happier.
Indeed,
to find a place where to spend the twilight years is a difficult task.
Like Elijah on his journey to Mount Horeb, the angel of the Lord
reminded him;
"Get up and eat, for the journey is too long for you." 1 Kings 19:7
Indeed, life is a journey, nothing less. A place to live in our twilight years must be prepared.
