By Editor Marie Elium
I’ve got two grown kids and grandkids in far-flung cities, so I understand why someone would want to move closer to their family. That’s not my husband or me.
With two decent-sized airports nearby, we can get to Houston or Atlanta on convenient, nonstop flights, and our kids frequently make their way to Northeast Ohio. I still cry every single time I leave the grandkids, but Facetime and frequent texts and photos help fill the gap, if not elminate the tears entirely.
On the other hand, I know several people who have packed up their lives and moved to be closer to their family; grandkids, in particular. But is that always a good idea?
A recent column from Kiplinger highlights key points to consider before relocating. Several relate to retiree budgets: Have you heard about the Grandparent Tax? If you live closer to grandkids you often pick up little gifts, pay for meals and outings and have other costs not included in your retirement plans.
Keeping with the money theme, the cost of living and taxes in a new community also need a close look. Chances are, your grandkids live in an area with good, public schools. And good, public schools require tax support.
Other factors to consider before making a move:
Grandparent Childcare: Will you slip into the role of being a free babysitter and resent the drain on your much-earned free time?
Your Doctors: Twenty years ago, we may have only had one or two doctors. But if you’re like most of us 55 and older, it takes a village to keep us healthy. Do you want to recruit a new team in a new city?
Community: And on the topic of a new city, where we live and the people we know there can be an important part of our lives. Leaving it all behind to piggyback on grown kids with no plan to develop new community ties can be be tough on everyone. Have a plan.
You can find more in the Kiplinger article. If you want to share your story about moving to live closer to family, please email me. It’s a topic we want to explore in an upcoming issue of Northeast Ohio Thrive magazine.
