As you prepare to take the next step in your life, whether that is downsizing your home or moving to a home you plan to live in as you age, you may find yourself taking a look at 55+ Communities.
55+ Communities are neighborhoods that are designed for those who have reached their 55th year of life and their children have already moved out. These neighborhoods offer benefits, such as senior-friendly activities and facilities like gyms and pools.
But with so many 55+ communities to choose from, how do you pick the right one? Read on to learn our tips for choosing the right active adult retirement community.
5 Tips for Choosing the Right 55+ Community
1. Choose Location
Before you decide anything else, you need to find a 55+ community in a location where you want to live for the next 30+ years. Remember that moving into a 55+ community should be considered your final move before you move into a home, and you should make decisions based on where you know you will be happy for the next portion of your life.
For example, do you want warm weather? Then you should probably look at active communities for those 55+ in Florida and Arizona. Or is family more important? If so, you should find a 55+ community near where your kids and grandkids live.
Once you have an idea of the state you would enjoy living in, narrow it down to the city or the metropolitan area. This should narrow you down to just a few choices, especially if you are in an area that isn’t as common for retirement communities.
Related: The Best (and Worst) States for Retirees
2. Consider Cost
After deciding on location, the next largest factor will likely be cost. While you may still be working now, you are likely less than 10 years from retirement. This means any home you are looking at buying; you will need to be able to afford it on your retirement pension.
It is recommended to only have housing make up 30% of your costs each month, and this is even more important as you age because your medical costs will likely increase. While you want to pick something nice, ensure it is something you will be able to afford for years to come.
Plus, if you have a partner and there is an age gap between you, it might be time to consider that one of you may pass on before the other. Consider whether they will be able to afford the home without you or if they will have to move shortly after your death.
Editor’s Note: Most communities have community or association fees, and these can be quite steep. Ensure you include these with your monthly rent cost to avoid future surprises.
3. Evaluate Amenities
After making a list of the locations you can afford, it’s time to take a closer look at the amenities offered. All 55+ lifestyles are different, and while your friends may want a golf course that they can walk to, you may prefer to live somewhere with a pool.
If you are with a partner, it is important that you ask them about their desires in addition to your own. You’ll want to find a community that has amenities for both of you–both now and as you age. While you may enjoy a game of Tennis now, you may want to exercise in a pool 20 years from now.
4. Envision Yourself Aging in the Home
Likely, looking at amenities helped you to narrow down your options, but if it hasn’t yet, take time to consider how the homes you are looking at will suit you as you age.
For example, while a two-story home isn’t a problem when you are 55, it may be an issue when you are 85. Because you are planning for this move to be your last move, it might be better to look at a ranch-style home without stairs to ensure they won’t be an issue later.
You should additionally look at wheelchair-accessible features. While you aren’t in a wheelchair now, you or your partner might be in 20 years. It will save you lots of time and headaches to ensure you don’t have to move if the unthinkable happens.
5. Look At the Area
Besides just ensuring the community has all the amenities you need, you should also ensure the community is in an area that can suit your needs. Will you be able to walk to the grocery store if you can no longer drive at some point? Is your doctor’s office nearby? What about specialists? Is there public transportation available?
These are the questions you need to ask yourself now. It can also be helpful to choose a 55+ community with a shuttle so that if you do need help getting around in the future, you will have options.
If you have chosen to live away from your family, it is also important to consider how near you are to an airport. They will likely want to come visit for holidays and other occasions, especially if you aren’t working.
Plus, if you have grandkids, it might be helpful to know what amenities are in the area for them. The last thing you want is for your grandkids to come visit you in a small town in the Midwest with nothing for them to do around the holidays. In these cases, you might want to check the location of parks, museums, and other things your grandkids can enjoy.
Overall, we hope this article has helped you narrow down your options for a 55+ community. There is no one community that suits everyone, so take your time finding the one that is perfect for you–after all, the last thing you want to do is move again!
Are you not sure if a 55+ community is for you? Read our Pros and Cons of 55+ Communities to learn more about whether or not these active lifestyle communities are the right choice for you.
