8 Tips for Moving into a Retirement Community

If you’ve decided it’s time to move into a retirement community, you may be overwhelmed by everything you need to do. A lot goes into moving, especially with a transition as big as this. But at Slater Transfer & Storage, we want your transition to be as easy on you as possible. That’s why we’ve put together these eight tips to help you successfully move into your new retirement community:

1. Make a Plan to Downsize

When you decide to move into a retirement community, this means you’ll have to downsize. Everything that you currently own isn’t going to fit in your new home. But downsizing is a lot to take on, especially for an older adult. To make things easier on yourself, plan out days where you are going to sort through your belongings. Make goals on how much you want to get rid of. You can even enlist the help of friends and family.

2. Create a List of Must-Haves

Before you go through your belongings, sit down and make a list of everything you need to keep. These can be things that are valuable or have sentimental value to you. This can sometimes be a difficult task. Sometimes having a loved one help you determine what you don’t need to take with you can make putting together your list easier.

3. Start Decluttering with Unsentimental Items

Once you begin sorting through your belongings, it’s usually easiest to start downsizing with the things that don’t have sentimental value. This can be anything from kitchenware to yard tools.

4. Don’t Throw Anything Away Unless Necessary

After decluttering, try not to throw anything away. While you may no longer need them, this doesn’t mean your old belongings can’t be useful to someone else. Consider donating everything that is still of good quality. If something has seen better days, then it can be tossed, but most of your items will probably be in good enough shape to be used by another person.

5. Make Sure Everything You Keep Has a Purpose

Once you’ve gotten rid of everything you don’t need, go through everything you decided to keep one more time. Ask yourself what each item’s purpose is and if it gives you joy. If you can’t come up with a good answer, you probably don’t need to be keeping the item.

6. Pack Your Important Items Separately

Once you start packing, make sure to stay organized. You’ll want to pack all of your important belongings together and clearly label the box so that you can easily find them. Pack especially important belongings, such as medications or any other medical assistive devices in your bag or suitcase for easy access once you move into your new place.

7. Visit Your New Home Before Move-In

Make several visits to your new home before your move-in day. This will help you to visualize where you will be able to keep all of your belongings in your new space. You’ll also be able to see everything that your retirement community has to offer, which will help you to better know what you will no longer need.

8. Make Sure to Have Fun

Moving can be a fun and exciting time. Use this experience to have fun while saying goodbye to items that have served their purpose, and to welcome a new home. You can always invite your friends and family to help you during your move to make it more enjoyable.
Hire Slater Transfer & Storage for Your Senior Move

If you have a move approaching and need help getting your belongings to your new home, make sure to hire the best movers in Utah, Nevada, and New Mexico. At Slater Transfer & Storage, we can help seniors move into their new homes. We also offer a variety of other services to make your move easier, such as our packing services. For more information, contact us today.