Finding a condo that has everything you need and is in close proximity to your favorite spots can be tricky. Even though it can take some time, being patient while you search for your new home is so worth it. Learn what seniors condos are available and where to look.
Tips to Find Condominiums for Seniors in Atlanta
Atlanta has a lot to offer seniors. There are great cultural and artistic events, as well as awesome restaurants and plenty of senior centers scattered throughout. Think about where you'd like to be located and how active you plan on being once you've settled into your new condo.
Close to What You Love
For some seniors, having a condo that is walkable to their favorite restaurants, cultural centers, or senior centers is an important aspect of feeling truly comfortable in their home. In Atlanta there are tons of great museums and cultural centers such as the Ponce City Market, East Lake Golf, the World of Coca-Cola, the Jimmy Carter Library and Museum, as well as the Atlanta History Center. You can also look out for condos that offer a senior shuttle in and out of the heart of town so you can head out with ease. Most of the major museums will also offer a yearly pass and senior discount if you plan on making frequent visits. If you tend to be more of a homebody or don't mind driving into town, you can remove this from your list of condo priorities.
Ability to Allow for Caregivers
If you plan on staying in this condo for a while, you may want to think about whether it's caregiver friendly. Even if you don't need a caregiver now, there may come a point in time that having a bit of extra help would be nice. There are great caregiver companies in Atlanta such as Homewatch Caregivers of East Atlanta and Live Oak Caregivers. Some condos have rules regarding live in caregivers, so it's helpful to ask about that once you've found a condo you really like.
Ease of Accessibility
If you have difficulty using stairs or walking long distances, you'll need to find a condo that has an easy to access entrance with an elevator option, or condos that are on the ground floor without two stories. You want to make sure coming home to your new condo is stress free and doesn't feel exhausting to navigate.
Finding a Safe Senior Friendly Neighborhood
Depending on your preference, you may hope to find a neighborhood bustling with kids, young families and activities, or one that caters more to the senior population and is a bit quieter. Neighborhoods will have pockets of family friendly areas and pockets of quieter areas where more seniors live. The neighborhoods that have been noted for having low crime include Buckhead and Vinings, among others.
Senior Friendly Amenities
Some condos will offer amenities such as a gym, spa, clubhouse, and planned community events. Be sure to ask about the amenities and make sure that your new condo community has exactly what you are looking for.
Find Your Perfect Atlanta Neighborhood
Atlanta ranks 37th in the United States for city size, with nearly a half-million people in the metro. There are many nice neighborhood options, both in the city proper and in the suburbs.
Set a Budget
Renting a condo costs around $1,000 a month while owning can cost anywhere from $150,000 to $250,000 depending on the size. When deciding to purchase in Atlanta, think about how long you intend on living in the condo and whether the rent or mortgage would be cheaper on a per month basis based on your timeframe. Atlanta is also one of the fastest growing areas in the country so investing in real estate could be advantageous if you decide to eventually sell.
Find the Right Community
If you've lived in Atlanta before, you likely have a good idea of where you'd like to be. If you're new to the area, then the following resources can help you identify the best neighborhood for your specific needs.
- City-Data.com: Features a great forum where you can ask questions about everything in Atlanta. From the best places to live to good entertainment and vintage thrift stores, this forum has it all.
- Atlanta Citysearch: Heavily entertainment-based, so bookmark this site if you love to go out.
- Atlanta neighborhood guide: A great round-up of quick neighborhood info.
Find Condos for Seniors in Atlanta
Once you've found a great neighborhood that fits your needs, you may want to consider working with a realtor. You can also use sites such as Trulia, Zillow, and Redfin and set up automatic searches for condo options in the neighborhoods you like.
Mount Vernon Towers
Mount Vernon Towers is located in Sandy Springs and offers a proximity to grocery stores, restaurants, cultural centers, and shopping. Amenities include a pool, a gym with classes, room service, three meals a day, a garden, a laundry room, social events, and a salon. The property is gated and is patrolled at all times. It is also pet friendly and has a dog park on site, making it a great option for those with pets. They also have an on-site nurse and offer rides to medical appointments at no extra cost. They offer both independent and assisted living options for their residents and prices range from $90,000 to $250,000 to purchase a condo and about $1,500 to $2,200 to rent.
Renaissance on Peachtree
Renaissance on Peachtree offers resort style living for both assisted and independent living, giving their residents the option to stay in their homes long term even if their care needs change. They offer one and two bedroom floor plans for independent living and a one bedroom floor plan option for assisted living. Pricing includes three meals a day, laundry and housekeeping, weekly social events, maintenance, and an on call staff for emergencies. They also have memory care specialists on site, and pets are allowed in independent living housing options. Costs are around $3,000 to $4,000 a month depending on the options that are selected.
Canterbury Court
Canterbury Court, located in Buckhead, is a faith oriented independent living facility that offers on site care if needed down the line. They offer one, two, and three bedroom floor plans with daily meals, maintenance, and housekeeping included in the price. They also have a security staff looking after the 11 acre property at all times. On site there is a garden, chapel, card room, indoor pool, library, business center, art studio, and woodworking shop for residents to use. Prices range from $1,500 to around $5,000 depending on your floor plan and needs.
Finding Your Perfect Home in Atlanta
Although it can take some patience to find a condo that truly feels like your home, take your time searching and make sure that the condo you select has everything you need to feel comfortable and safe. Atlanta is a great place to buy or rent a condo, especially for those in the 55 and older cohort as the cost of living tends to be relatively low and there are tons of cultural centers, museums, parks, and great restaurants nearby.
