Active Adult Retirement Communities

Making the Decision

Is an active adult retirement community right for you? Ask yourself the following questions:

• Am I over 55?
• Am I concerned about maintaining my current home as I age?
• Am I willing to leave the home where I raised a family?
• Do I enjoy being part of a community?
• Do I want to live around others my age?
• Would I like to live in a facility with amenities such as a pool and golf course?
• Am I comfortable living in manufactured housing or apartments?
• Do I have the income or savings necessary for monthly rent or mortgage payments?

If you answered yes to many of these questions, you may be ready to take the plunge.

Finding an Active Adult Retirement Community

While active adult retirement communities abound in retirement hotspots such as Florida, they can be found across the country. BestGuide-RetirementCommunities.com offers an extensive list of communities divided by region. The Web site provides few details with each listing, but includes a link to the community's own Web site, if available. BestGuide can be a good starting point for both researching communities in a particular area and for a list of names to investigate.

ActiveAdultLiving.com provides a similar service. This site's listings offer more information on available properties, but rather than connecting you directly to contact information for each community, you must fill out a generic contact form.

Choosing a Community

When you have found active adult retirement communities of interest, the first step is to visit the community's Web site or call to request promotional information. However, visiting several facilities is the best way to find out which community is right for you. A few points to consider in evaluating a potential community include:

• What are the community's age restrictions? Most retirement communities require their residents to be over the age of 55, but this can vary. You don't want to get your heart set on a facility, only to find out you're too young to live there.
• Which style of housing do you prefer? An active adult retirement community may feature apartments, villas, condos, townhouses, or homes.
• How much is the rent or the cost of a home? You will need to consider your budget, taking into account your projected monthly income and savings.
• Are there any additional fees? Ensure charges for trash, maintenance, facilities, or unexpected fees, conform to your budget.
• What extra facilities and services are most important to you? Would you like on-site businesses or yoga classes?
• What setting do you prefer? Do you want a beachfront property or do you long for walks through the woods? Active adult retirement communities may offer these options and many more.
• Do the current residents in the community seem friendly and happy? Taking a few moments to observe community members in action can tell you more than all the promotional brochures in the world.
• What are the transportation options? Are you within walking distance of any stores or entertainment options? Does the community offer bus service or a shuttle? If you have to drive, what is traffic like in the area? Think not only of your current needs, but your future needs as you grow older. You may not mind rush hour traffic now, but how will you feel in ten years?
• If you need medical attention, how accessible are doctors and hospitals? Some communities offer on-site medical facilities, while others are conveniently located near hospitals.

Conclusion

Sometimes it's the intangible things that make the decision for you. A place may just seem perfect or may not feel right. You should trust your instincts in choosing your new home. An active adult retirement community should fulfill your wishes and needs, not the other way around.

Comment on Active Adult Retirement Communities

(Displayed with your comment)                        (Will not be displayed)

Verification Code: