Planning your retirement relocation in Malta

When people retire they usually find their lifestyle has changed in more ways than one. Apart from the fact that the daily work routine

typically stops abruptly and you find more available time on your hands, your life’s road map and that of your family is usually in a phase of yet another transition. Children may have already left or are in the process of leaving home and that which was a full house up to some years ago, now feels way too large.

The home as it was lived in and experienced in the past is re-considered in a new light. Even in the case of a single home owner, the burden of keeping up with a too-large house can become tedious. Do you need three bedrooms anymore…. or the games room…. or a three-car garage… or even three bathrooms?

Malta Retirement age is the perfect time to re-locate to a smaller property which better suits this new stage in life. The first sentimental bond to your present home is naturally that connected with all the memories, hopefully happy ones, of what you experienced within it. But clinging to the building itself may eventually only create a love-hate scenario. Why keep a large house when you only need so much less to live happily and so much more easily? Such a house becomes harder to keep clean and harder to afford, especially as you will have to re-think your financial situation according to the pension you will be receiving. When all these factors are seriously considered, the option of selling the larger home to transfer to a smaller one starts becoming tantalising.

Fact is, you now have that much more time to dedicate to house-hunting which can be an exciting experience especially when you know what to look out for. There are some practicalities to keep in mind:

– Be careful not to get stuck in a rut searching properties which are too similar to what you already own.

– Be practical about the size of what you actually require. If your four-bedroom terraced house is now way too large, consider moving into Malta property with only two bedrooms – one for yourself and one for visitors when these materialise.

– Avoid excessive stairs both indoors and outdoors. If you decide on an apartment in a multi-storey block, make sure the elevator services are efficient and the communal area is well cared-for and maintained.

– Choose a property in Malta with good quality flooring which is non-slip and will not require altering in the future.

– Look carefully at the bathroom and consider whether it would, in the future allow any modifications to accommodate mobility facilities such as hand-rails.

– Don’t go over budget. Factor in the money you will get from selling your old property and try to have some left over after the sale to allow any modifications or to invest and get regular financial returns from it over the coming years.

– Do choose a property in Malta with some open space and a view.

– If you like pets, make sure you can keep one easily in this new home.

– Make sure your new property is close to all amenities, a park, the parish, the shops.

– Ultimately enjoy the experience of choosing a new home for yourself – a home which is comfortable, practical, easy to access, easy to maintain, easy to clean and enjoyable to live in.

Today’s trained professionals can set up viewings for you, we would suggest that you use a reputable Malta real estate agency.  This will make the transition and the process of moving a smoother experience.

by Marika Azzopardi

Marika Azzopardi is a freelance writer and journalist. A frequent contributor to national English language papers and magazines, she writes about a bevy of topics including art, people and life in general. She is also the author of children’s books and short stories, delving into adult fiction from time to time.