Guiding retirees weighing a move

Retirement is a milestone moment in life. Each person has their own vision of an ideal retirement. Some may want to travel the world. Others may look for a second career or a chance to volunteer in support of a cause near and dear to their hearts. Retirement also may lead some to ponder if it's the right time to sell their homes.

Retirement is often associated with downsizing a home, but data indicates that even seniors who sell are not necessarily moving into smaller homes. A spring 2026 report from the National Association of Realtors found that seniors between the ages of 61 and 70 who sold a 2,000-square-foot home between June 2024 and June 2025 typically moved into a similarly sized property.

Downsizing may not be compelling seniors to move after retirement, but that doesn't mean newly minted retirees should not give the idea of moving ample consideration. In fact, there are many reasons to move after retiring, and considering those factors can help seniors determine if moving is right for them.

Real estate market: Real estate markets fluctuate, and retirees can monitor home prices where they currently live and where they might want to move to see if the time is right to relocate. If prices are high in your current market and low in areas where you may want to spend your retirement, then a relocation might enable you to pocket a sizable amount of money, which can then be redirected toward retirement expenses like travel, entertainment and health care.

Taxes: Working with an experienced tax attorney can help retirees determine if moving is in their long-term financial interest. Capital gains taxes, income taxes, and property taxes are just some of the financial variables affected by location. Retirees could save substantial amounts of money by moving to locations with lower tax obligations. Those savings can help to ensure seniors do not outlive their money. Even if you're attached to your current home, the tax savings associated with relocating to a more retiree-friendly locale may be too great to pass up.

Maintenance: While financial considerations may be foremost on the minds of retirees pondering a move, it's equally important to ask if you can keep up with the maintenance associated with your current home. There's also the question of desire in relation to home maintenance. If you're physically incapable of routine maintenance tasks or simply want someone else to handle chores like maintaining the landscape, then a move to a 55+ community where maintenance is paid for by monthly homeowners' association fees might be the best decision.

Family: Modern families tend to spread out. According to the Pew Research Center, 32% of adults with a postgraduate degree do not live near any extended family members. But 42% of such adults live within an hour's drive of some extended family members. Retirees who aspire to reconnect with grown children and build strong relationships with grandchildren who may live an hour or more away might consider relocating to be closer to the people they love most.

Seniors considering a relocation in retirement can ponder a number of variables to determine if a move is in their best interest.

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