Retirement Lifestyle: Are You Living in Your Wheel House? - with Kim Costa

Kim Costa, a top 5% Realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes & Sotheby’s International Realty and creator of the Wheel House Method, shares how to use a Wheel-of-Life approach to decide whether to stay, go, or renovate in retirement. You’ll hear why “home” is more than square footage, how life changes create a “void” your current space may no longer fill, and how to make choices that support enjoyment and personal growth in your next chapter.

What we cover

1. Why retirement is a “third life,” not an ending
2. The Wheelhouse Method: using eight life areas to clarify what’s working and what isn’t
3. How life changes (empty nest, health shifts, career ending, family moving) can make a once-perfect home stop fitting
4. Downsizing options: lock-and-leave living, reducing maintenance, and freeing up equity
5. Practical ways to stay put: “shut down” unused floors, adjust thermostats, and reduce cleaning/expenses
6. Repurposing rooms for who you are now (hobbies, writing, yoga, podcasting)
7. The most neglected area on the wheel: spirituality (connection to nature, grounding, sunlight)
8. Avoiding “should” decisions (e.g., moving somewhere because it’s what people do)
9. Try-it-first strategies: house-sitting, seasonal stays, and inviting family to test a destination home
10. Biggest regret drivers: moving too fast, not thinking it through, and market pressure

Key takeaways

1. Your home should match your current life stage. What worked at 25 may not work at 60.
2. Fix the pain point—but don’t create a new problem. Consider health care access, finances, and connection before you leap.
3. Enjoyment is allowed. Retirement is a season to reclaim what you loved—and design your space to support it.
4. Small changes count. You can often improve fit by repurposing rooms and reducing unused space.

Connect with Kim:

1. Website: lifestylefoundations.com
2. Socials: KimECosta

Her new book, Live in Your Wheel House, available now for preorder; ships March 24th! https://amazon.com/dp/B0GKTB5Z7C