Baby boomers seeking a safe
place to live, have options
You are a baby boomer and for
one reason or another, you are forced to move. With respect to your safety,
becoming knowledgeable about the place where you plan to move is important. Ask
yourself, if you will be safe living in that area? How can you be certain?
What are your options?
You can either make a point of
finding out if this will be a safe place for you to live, before you move into
an area or move there, without obtaining any prior knowledge about it.
It is wise to obtain
first-hand, accurate information about possible safety issues or concerns in a
different location, before you move there. Be aware that if you have no
knowledge about an area, you risk finding out later, that this was not such a
good move for you.
Safety is a primary concern for
all baby boomers, particularly those who have always lived in one place and are
suddenly confronted with having to find another place to live. There are many
possible places where one can live, but how can baby boomers determine ahead of
time, if these will be safe?
Knowledge regarding safety is a
critical factor in the decision making process when you are planning a major
move. Knowing how to obtain the knowledge that you need to keep you and your
spouse, your children and grandchildren, as well as others who come to visit
you safe is important.
Here are some things that you,
as a baby boomer can do to obtain knowledge about possible safety issues or
concerns, in a new neighborhood.
Spend time with a local realtor
who lives or works in the area where you are interested in living. Make serious
inquiries, if you plan to purchase a home in a location with which you are
unfamiliar. Do this, before you make any verbal agreements or sign any
documents regarding a house, condo or apartment.
It should not cost anything to
speak with a realtor. You may find that you have invested your time wisely, as he or
she will be able to give you the kind of information that you need in order to
guarantee your safety. Be aware that there may be safety concerns that outside
realtors may not be aware of or may not disclose to you, in order to make a sale.
For instance, there could be
serious water shortage problems related to a specific area. You and your spouse
need to have sufficient, potable water. It will be inconvenient and may present
a hardship over time, if your water has to be delivered by truck. This could
present a possible health and safety risk for you and your family. What is your
water source going to be? Is it a local lake or river? Is the water properly
treated? Does it taste good? If there is a well, has it been checked for
possible contaminants, including e-coli or heavy metals?
Are there fire hydrants or
other sources of water, in case there are fires in the area?
These may be some of the
reasons why the property you want to purchase, has been put up for sale. Always
find out why any place you consider buying is being sold, before you conclude
any deal.
There could also be serious
flooding problems that might involve your future home or property. If this is
marginal flooding, it may not be serious, but if it involves possible
contamination of your well or back up of your sewers or septic system, this
could be a serious health and safety problem. Spring runoff or more
serious flooding of a river may involve your personal safety, as well as that
of your family and friends. You do not want to put anyone's life in danger. The
heavy growth of mold or dampness after flooding, could present a serious health
risk to you, as well.
There may be other, serious
safety concerns that you need to know about, in the immediate area. For
instance, what has this particular property been used for previously? Is it a
prior landfill site that may have heavy chemicals or other contaminants in the
soil? These kinds of toxins could be harmful to you and your family.
Perhaps the city where you plan
to move, has already ruled in favor of building a major freeway, immediately
behind the property you plan to purchase. This will reduce the future market
value of your property. You may be exposed to gasoline and diesel fumes, when
the freeway has a heavy volume of traffic. This will not be environmentally
safe for you or for those who spend time with you.
Talk to other baby boomers or
seniors, who are residents in the neighborhood. They will be able to advise you
of serious safety issues that are of concern to them and may concern you, in the
future. If there are no baby boomers or seniors who live in the vicinity, that
may indicate there is a possible problem also. Why don't they choose to live
there?
For example, perhaps the city
where you are looking for a home, is one where there is heavy drug trafficking
at night, particularly on the weekends. You and others may not be safe walking
or driving after dark, if there is a motorcycle club that runs rampant through
the area on long weekends. Perhaps there is a plant or mill in the immediate
area that gives off heavy emissions after dark. This could cause baby boomers
and seniors to have difficulty breathing.
Baby boomers and seniors may
have their own closed communities that are not receptive to outsiders,
depending upon race, creed or color. You might find yourself, your spouse,
children and other family members subjected to physical or mental abuse or you
may be excluded.
It is better to obtain
knowledge about these kinds of community situations, before you move into an
area. You may decide not to move there, because of the possibility of potential
violence in the future.
Talk to people of different
ages, who currently reside in the community where you plan to live. In a
healthy, growing community, there should be different types of families,
with family members of all ages. The people living in the community should
appear active, healthy and happy. Look around. Are there children playing
outside in the playgrounds or in their yards? If not, why not? Are there
parents and grandparents working in their gardens or sitting outside in the
evening?
Attend a concert, community
event or a church service, in the area where you want to live. It will not take
long for you to find out if you are going to be welcomed. People are receptive
to strangers and if not, it might not be a good idea to move into that neighborhood.
It may take a long time before you are accepted in a community.
Talk to previous residents, who
have lived in the area and find out how they feel about their community and ask
them why they decided to move away. Was fear a factor that triggered their
move? How about violence? Ask appropriate questions and you will find out
whether the baby boomers and seniors living there are treated with respect.
They should not be subjected to any abuse.
Spend some time walking through
the area, with some friends or family members. Observe the interaction of all
of those around you. Do the neighbors talk to strangers or wave, as you pass
by?
Enjoy spending a day at a park
or a nearby lake with your children and grandchildren, as that is where you
will be bringing them in the future, if you do decide to move into the
area. Is this going to be a safe place for everyone to play?
Check out other local
recreational centers because you may want to attend special events held there.
Are these facilities clean and well maintained? Could they be potential sources
of infection, in the future? If they present a potential health hazard, remember
that health is one of your primary concerns, as a baby boomer.
You might even consider
visiting one of the local hospitals to assess their level of emergency care.
Does it appear that it will be adequate for you and your family, if you should
need urgent care or long term care? Are there retirement homes or nursing homes
in the area?
Go to a local mall and spend an
afternoon there. The atmosphere should appear to be busy, but congenial. Check
out a local grocery store, with regard to its produce.
Are there visible problems with
regard to ethnic minority groups? How about the people who are disabled?
Visit the downtown area on a
weekend, particularly on a Saturday evening and see what kinds of activities
are taking place on the streets. Are there parades? Perhaps there are open-air
street festivals that anyone can attend. Are you going to be comfortable
sitting in restaurants or night clubs?
Do you see rowdy street gangs
or teens that may be carrying weapons? Are the local stores open or is
everything locked up early? Does there appear to be a regular police patrol in
the area?
There are many possible safety
factors to take into consideration in a new neighborhood. Obtaining this kind
of knowledge ahead of time, can save you a lot of trouble later. It can prevent you from having a lot of unnecessary stress in the future, should you
decide to move there.
Remember that most moving
experiences turn out to be good ones, so don't become overly concerned,
frightened or paranoid about any specific area. Find another one that appears
to be more suitable for you and your spouse.
Hopefully, your experience will
prove to be a good one too. Just in case, make a point of becoming
knowledgeable ahead of time. If you do, you will more than likely be safe, as
a baby boomer moving into a new location.
Remember that you do have
options to consider, so choose the right option. Always seek knowledge first,
with respect to safety.
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