Retirement Communities

- is the active living lifestyle the right one for you?

In the last few years, there’s been an exciting option for individuals who are looking for a different style of retirement.

Just what do retirement communities offer?

Retirement communities can allow you to fulfil your dreams of lifestyle – without the burdens usually associated with home ownership.

“Retirement living in a dynamic growing community can enable you to enjoy some of the best years of your life”

www.retirementresorts.com

Though more and more individuals are choosing to remain in their homes, rather than move to a retirement property, there are good reasons why people choose to move into the type of community that can help you enjoy some of the best years of your life.

15 Tips For Choosing A Retirement Residence

If you’re seriously considering this as an option, here’s a list of fifteen things you might want to consider:-

1. Amenities – many of the larger communities offer social, sports & other (eg. beauty salon, etc) activities. For example, access to a pool, fitness suite, tennis court, putting green together with numerous hobby clubs.

2. Benefits – do you like the idea of not having to worry about maintenance and yard work? The idea of a community is that you pay a fee which pays for all the lawn mowing, trash collection, home repairs and maintenance of grounds and communal facilities.

3. Charges – ongoing payments vary significantly between different types of communities. Church run facilities tend to be at the bottom end of the financial scale, whereas private run properties are likely to cost more.

4. Cleanliness & maintenance – when you’re visiting a community, take a look at every area, not just the areas that they show you. If all areas are clean and well-maintained, you can feel confident that your own living accommodation will be too.

5. Comparative costs – it may be worth considering the costs of small apartments in the local area. For some people, these may be just a financial viable and yet offer good locations with access to local amenities.

6. Contracts & Paperwork – before you consider signing anything, read carefully through the smallprint. Ask for copies of paperwork when you visit, most communities are happy to be upfront with their requirements. Do have the contract double checked by a lawyer as you’ll want to be clear about your own commitment and security.

7. Existing residents opinions – talk with other residents. This is such an important way to guage whether this is somewhere you feel you could live – just talking to them will help you get a “gut feel” for whether this is for you.

8. Financial Implications – make sure you get a breakdown of all the costs involved. There will usually be an “entrance fee”and then a monthly fee for the apartment itself. Although entrance fees may be partly refundable, do consider the risk if you decide later on that you want to move elsewhere.

9. Local area – don’t just visit the community itself. Find out about and explore the local area – college towns are becoming increasingly popular because of the opportunities they offer. If you need to live beside the sea or the mountains, it’s important to consider this in your decision making process.

10. Loneliness – the idea of these communities is to provide company and ensure that you enjoy your time without feeling bored. Your retirement is the time that you have for yourself, make sure that you spend time with others in the community to find out if you could build friendships and become a true part of their community.

11. LCRC accreditation – find out whether your chosen communities have submitted themselves for accreditation. This helps you to evaluabe the facilities levels of care and financial health. Visit http://www.carf.org/default.aspx?site=ccac for further information.

12. Neighbourhood – if you’re experiencing problems with mobility, you’ll find wider sidewalks with no obstructions. There also tends to be less noise than you’d find in a family neighbourhood, no loud music or dogs running about. Your monthly fee covers security, so you should feel safer going to sleep at night, than you might in a home in a quiet rural area.

13. Restrictions – understandably, there are restrictions that are laid down for the benefit of all residents. Whilst some people might consider these as restrictive, others find they work just fine. Get a list of the restrictions and see what you think. A few common restrictions include a time limit on children and friends staying overnight, parking, but everything should be explained and spelled out before you sign any paperwork.

14. Security – if you’re alone, you may know how it feels to not feel secure alone in your own home. Communities tend to be safer and relatively free of crime, enabling you to feel safe and relaxed.

15. Services available – if you’re a golfer, you’ll naturally look for a good course and facilities nearby. Similarly, whatever your interests, check out the local area and be honest with yourself. If you love the theatre, will you really want to drive for two hours to the local city?

Try it out yourself – stay overnight to see how it feels. Staying somewhere for at least 24 hours can help you to get a feel for a place at all hours and to see or hear what the managers have tried to hide on your initial visit.

“I don’t think it’s not nearly so much a matter of common interests as it is a matter of cost sharing”