When you retire the first thing you must decide is where you want to live.  Are you staying in your current area or are you moving?  If moving you need to research the areas that interest you.  Here the activities that you plan for retirement come into play.  Do you plan to buy a home with land, a home in the city, or a home in a retirement community?

Florida is one of the most popular retirement locations.  Florida attracts so many seniors that it is consistently one of the fastest growing states in the nation.  Five states have created Certified Retirement Community programs geared to attracting seniors.  They hope to attract the baby boomers approaching the age of retirement.  These states are Texas, Mississippi, Kentucky, Louisiana, and West Virginia.  Tennessee advertises a program called "Retire Tennessee."

There are three categories of retirement communities.  They are active, active/supportive and supportive.  Price is the biggest factor when choosing a community. The more amenities offered the higher the price.  The active/supportive communities offer the best of everything.  They are expensive, but no matter what the future brings with regard to health issues the care is available without having to make another move.  

Community living isn't for everyone, but it is the quickest way to make acquaintances and learn about a new area.  Retirement isn't for everyone either.  Many people flunk retirement and return to the work force after a short time.  You can't shop all the time.