Did you know there are places, whole communities, designed specifically for people who are retiring? With baby boomers reaching retirement age, the need and desire for smaller living spaces is growing. For several years, developers have been refining their retirement communities and housing to appeal to the changing lifestyles of the retiree. For instance, they offer smaller, one level housing options, which include accessories like hand and grab rails, walk-in or wheelchair access entries, tubs, and showers.
By Mesa Royale (AZ)
The retirement community is designed to incorporate services that senior citizens will need or require as they continue to age. These may include spas, golf courses, bike and running trails, grocery stores, doctors’ offices and hospitals, places to meet with other seniors to socialize, and other shops with products and services geared to the mature shopper.
The housing offered may be single dwelling residences that a retiree can own, or they may be rental houses, or apartments. Assisted living residences are also offered in some retirement developments. Due to the varied types of living arrangements available, a retiree can count on staying near their friends and family as they age. A person can start out as a homeowner with a yard, which allows them to dabble with a garden, etc. As they age, they may find the house and yard more than they can manage, and have the option to move into an apartment, condominium, or assisted living. This allows the retiree the opportunity to remain in a comfortable and familiar area.
Most retirement communities have age requirements for all residents. Children may not be allowed to stay for extended periods. Therefore, if your grandchildren or children plan to live with you, or stay frequently, you will want to check out the rules before you purchase or rent. Be sure to follow the rules to avoid upsetting your neighbors: some adults like to be away from children and move to a senior community to ensure kids do not bother them.
There are communities specifically for seniors in or near almost every major city. However, they are more heavily concentrated in milder/warmer climates, which appeal to seniors who seek an active lifestyle, and who do not want to deal with the cold. Retirees like areas with warmer climates for the year round access to the outdoors. Golf is especially desirable with older individuals, since it can be taken in leisurely with friends, or actively by participation in leagues and tournaments. Most retirement communities will feature a golf course, and several larger properties offer two or more golf courses. Depending on the local laws, you may find a community that allows you to drive golf carts on the street within the development. This can be environmentally friendly too, as most golf carts are electric.
If you like the idea of living in a retirement community, do your homework. Make a list of amenities, in order of importance, and shop until you find a community that fits all your needs and the majority of your desires. It is a good idea to visit with occupants and homeowners to get their opinion of the area, and the amenities, and to make sure they share some of your interests. In the end, you should be able to retire, knowing you will be comfortable and happy in your new community.
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Visit and observe. There’s nothing quite like it. We’ve moved into Alden Place in Lebanon County, PA late last year after months of visiting and checking out other communities. There’s no perfect retirement community as how most ads would like to put it. Seeing the place thrice or more is worth the effort.
Thanks for the comment Beth – definitely a good tip to visit prospective retirement communities more than once before making a decision. Multiple visits will help give you a better idea of what to expect than a single drop-in.
we now live out of the country and intend to live here as we retire however i had not given it a lot of thought before. having read your article though makes me think we should begin our research now for a nice retirement community here. thank you.