If retirement is right around the corner for you, you may be looking for the best place to settle down in. Many retirees will either move to a new city or they will purchase another home, so they can travel back and forth throughout the seasons.

Retirement is a time for you to be able to relax and enjoy life without the worry of waking up and going to work. Below, we will go over some of the best cities to retire in and who knows, you may even decide you want to give one of them a shot.

1. Austin, TX

This is not the first time that Texas or Austin has popped up on a list of one of the best places to live. It is no doubt that this large city is ideal for any retiree. The city is full of delicious food to try, friendly cowboys around the corner, and many different hiking trails for a day adventure.

2. Franklin, TN

Franklin is no Nashville, but you do not need Nashville when you have Franklin. The city is the perfect place for retirees and will provide you with many different day, night, and weekend activities to enjoy. In fact, the city puts on many different festivals and art walks throughout the year.

Franklin does not come with a large price tag either and it is quite affordable. With the state of Tennessee carrying a low tax rate, there is no reason why you should not give this small city a shot.

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Many people have chosen to downsize from a home to an apartment and this means that a lot of the stuff that you once had in your house cannot go with you to your new space. It may seem like a big task to downsize your home, but it can be done. In fact, we will go over some tips to help you complete the task with ease.

Tip 1: Take Time and Inventory Your Items

Yes, it seems like a tedious process and yes, it might be, but it needs to be done. You need to know what items you have in your home and where they are. You could simply go room by room and pack up what you want from each room, but this would take more time and you may end up with duplicate items or you may accidentally toss out items you want.

Start out by choosing one room and inventory everything there is in it. You should write down what items are going with you and which ones you plan to toss. If you do not keep a list, you will quickly be consumed by the process.

Tip 2: Measure Your New Apartment

How will you know if your new couch will fit in your apartment? You won’t without measurements. It helps to measure each room in your new apartment. This way, you know what items will fit in there. For example, if you have an entire bedroom set, you need to know which of those items will comfortably fit in the master bedroom of the apartment. You may find that you need to leave an item or two behind for the sake of space.

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Unfortunately, when you move your items from one home to another, you are bound to get hurt, especially if you are not doing it properly. Many homeowners make the mistake of rushing around and this leads to carelessness and missteps to protect your body and your family. Below, we will go over some of the most common injuries that occur on moving day.

1. Cuts and Scrapes

Cuts and scrapes are probably one of the most common, if not the most common, injury that occurs during a move. You may accidentally move your hand the wrong way on a box and cut it or you may try to open a box with a sharp knife and slip.

These types of injuries are preventable and you can avoid cuts and scrapes by making sure all sharp objects are wrapped properly and of course, taking your time when you do move items.

2. Slip and Falls

A slip and fall can occur for a number of different reasons from the ground being wet to missing a step on a staircase or even a spilled drink in the house. You should always be cautious when carrying items and check the pathway to make sure it is clear BEFORE you begin moving items.

You can prevent injuries like this by wearing shoes with grips and closed toes.

3. Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains occur when you lift items that are too heavy or you move the wrong way. These can be prevented by slowing down and avoiding lifting items that you know are too heavy for you. You should always ask for help when you need to move furniture or heavy boxes.

A sprain can occur too when you slip inside your home or go down the staircase wrong. You must pay attention when walking to prevent these kind of injuries.

4. Pulled Muscles

Lastly, pulled muscles occur most commonly in the legs, back, and neck. These injuries happen because homeowners often lift items incorrectly and place too much pressure on their muscles. To avoid pulled muscles, always use your legs to lift instead of your back and never lift an item that you think is too heavy for you.

To avoid these four common moving day injuries, you need to make sure that you are practicing safe moving and that you are utilizing the help you have and of course, dollies to move the items.