Boomer Retirement at Risk – The 3-Step Solution

As Baby Boomers approach retirement, one thing is clear: their retirement will be much more complex than their parents’ retirement was. Not only do they have to worry about accumulating enough money to retire comfortably, but they also have to think about how to make that money last longer, maybe even 30 or 40 years. As corporate pensions disappear, Social Security evaporates/extends to age 70, and the stock market offers inconsistent returns, baby boomers are increasingly turning to real estate as their retirement vehicle.

As the US economy weathers the current recession and Boomers review their shrinking retirement portfolios, it’s time to reevaluate retirement options. Frankly, it will be difficult for many Boomers to maintain their current lifestyle without some serious adjustments. So what’s a Boomer to do? How do we adapt to ensure we can still live the “good life” and lead a safe, secure and healthy lifestyle?

Putting your retirement plans in motion can start with a simple 3-step plan. Consider each of these steps and see if they fit your idea of ​​retirement. The 3 steps include:

• Retire to a lower cost, simpler lifestyle community
• Make sure your real estate investments focus on unique and one-of-a-kind properties
• Participate in high-activity, low-cost hobbies and pastimes

One way to do all three with one decision is to find the perfect place to retire. That could mean relocating to a new, less expensive hometown. According to Money Magazine, about half a million Americans in their 60s move to new cities each year. For many, this is the first time they’ve been able to choose a community they really like, rather than one that’s simply close to work, the right schools, or a convenient commuter rail. By choosing carefully, you can dramatically reduce your cost of living while surrounding yourself with affordable and exciting new activities and places to explore.

Take, for example, the mountain property adjacent to Weiss Lake in northeast Alabama. Property in and around Cedar Bluff, Alabama offers some of the most breathtaking views in the Southeast, at a fraction of the cost of similar property in North Georgia and North Carolina. The cost of living is lower, property taxes are lower, and property prices have not risen beyond the means of the average retiree. Lake Weiss property prices in the area still remind me of prices 20 years ago at Lake Lanier, Lake Rabun, and Lake Chatuge. Real bargains can be had on totally unique properties in Weiss Lake. That answers one of our 3 keys to an affordable retirement. But what about the community and activities.

In this area, you’re surrounded by stunning canyons, nearby natural rivers and lakes, as well as inexpensive golf courses and other getaways. The Bluffs community in this area also provides access to over 1,000 acres of hiking trails and other recreational facilities. It is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain Range in Cherokee County in northeastern Alabama, near Cedar Bluff and overlooks Weiss Lake, with 30,000 acres and more than 450 miles of shoreline.

Although quiet and relaxing, this area is not remote. It is only a dozen miles from the Georgia line and a few more miles from Tennessee. Centrally located between Atlanta, Birmingham and Chattanooga, relocating to this area is still close enough to big city life and your family, yet affordable for retirement. In this area, your neighbors and the community still know you and treat you like family.

The most familiar mantra in real estate is location, location, location. Mountaintop living overlooking Weiss Lake in Northeast Alabama is fast becoming the destination for affordable retirement living.