You know those addicting Buzzfeed quizzes that tell you which English monarch you were in a past life or who your ‘80s movie boyfriend would’ve been?  They are often very telling – sometimes mortifyingly so – but they can also prompt some new self-knowledge or even a new way to think about ourselves. You may not have thought of yourself as the Henry the VIII type, for example, but some of your quiz answers may suggest that you lighten up on the turkey legs.

The usual quiz on where you want to spend your “golden years” would likely include the following questions:

• Do you prefer cold weather or warm weather?
• Do you prefer the coast or wide open spaces?
• Are you the city type or do you see yourself in a quaint small town?

Those are all very important questions as they pertain to the quality of life, but the most important indicator of where you should live out your retirement is your income.  Cities, specifically those in the Northeast and Northwest, tend to be so expensive that they are out of reach to most retirees (in addition to the rest of the general population), while coastal areas are also generally very pricey.  That said, you should also consider factors like doctor availability and opportunities for an active lifestyle, according to Forbes’ list of top places to retire in 2015.

With those Buzzfeed quizzes, which don’t allow for write-in answers, I usually find myself picking the best available answer even if I don’t like any of them. When you’re thinking about your retirement lifestyle, I advise you to also factor in the following:

Friends and family  — do you want to watch your grandchildren grow up or are your babysitting days over? Consider that network of support should you or your spouse need help after a medical emergency (meals, rides to doctors’ appointments, emotional support).

Opportunities to re-enter the workforce  — what if you need some extra income? What if you’re just bored out of your mind and need to work? Investigate opportunities for both paid and volunteer work before picking up stakes and moving to a new town.

Your interests and the ability to pursue them  — if you hate golfing and love the opera, then Myrtle Beach, SC is probably not the place for you.  Studies show that keeping up with our hobbies, and learning new ones, is important to our cognitive health. They also keep us connected to others and provide an outlet for stress and creativity alike.

With all of these permutations and possibilities for places to re-locate (or not) for your retirement, careful planning is imperative.  The days of “hey, San Diego seems like a cool place to live – let’s sell the house and check it out!” are gone – at least, without doing your research first. You want to enjoy your life, most importantly, and it’s worth the research and time spent investigating what may be your last opportunity to move.

To your future,

Scott