Many people who have dreamed of retiring to the beach found that the fun and excitement they experienced a week at a time on vacation over the years did not feel the same after six months to a year. The home near the beach was so much more expensive than their old home, and a lot more costly to maintain. If medical care is a primary concern, be sure that the available medical services are appropriate and nearby. Also, it’s a good idea to simply lease a place for six months or a year to test the waters so to speak, before you sell your home and clean out the closets.