Where you live matters. This seems to be a burning question for many of us in retirement age. I hear it from my clients and my friends and I’ve been thinking about it myself. Urban or suburban? Mountains and forest or ocean and sand? Close to my family or as far away as possible? House? gated community? Expansive apartment complex? Old or new? So many problems, so little time!

Here are three lists to get you started thinking about your environment.

List 1: What do I want in my environment?

• physical layout (think stairs, for example),
• amount of space,
• own or rent,
• see or not see,
• city, suburb or country,
• transportation access,
• price range (including additional charges such as maintenance, heating, water and electricity),
• access to activities (try to be realistic about the things you actually DO, not the things you always thought you could do),
• access to friends,
• access to medical providers, weather,
• keep adding your own elements.

List 2 – What do I absolutely need?

This list includes the basic minimum requirements taken from list #1. You should also include cost factors: I can’t spend more than $XXXX.

List 3 – What do I absolutely NOT want?

You may be surprised at what appears here. You may never want to shovel snow or have neighbors upstairs or be near your relatives.

Use these three lists to investigate all the possible places. Take good notes on how each one meets your criteria. Try your top three for size before making a big decision, if you can. Use the suggestions below during your trial visit:

Look for a socioeconomic match: feel comfortable that you can live well within your means.

Identify local groups that share your passion: hiking, cooking, theater; there is a group for almost anything.

Look at social networks to see if they meet your needs; think about how much interaction you want or need. How much time do the neighbors spend chatting? Should you join? Is there pressure to become part of the local church or temple? The neighborhood association? Do they all maintain a strict isolationist policy?

Read the local newspapers to see if area activities appeal to you. This is a great way to get information about hue and area values ​​as well.

Visit your new neighbors to start building a network. This can also uncover unpleasant surprises, such as howling dogs or chain smokers right below you.

Invite people to eat or join you at a local restaurant (dinner, weekend brunch) keep it casual and easy and allow for lots of interaction.

Get involved early: Be a guest at clubs, civic or religious organizations, a book club, or a special interest group. Join a local friend in a volunteer activity. Check out the gym or club.

I have been visiting retired friends for the past few months and can attest to the power of the location. Those who choose well get involved in all sorts of new activities as well as being able to continue those they have always loved. Some have become much kinder human beings away from the stressors of their former environment. Some are down and miserable, struggling with stairs or financial constraints or noise or unsavory neighbors.

Who will you be?