Karen’s Korner
In our senior years, we may decide that we may not want to maintain a home any longer. The responsibility of taking care of a home and all that goes along with it becomes difficult for some people, and a retirement community sounds like a great choice.
After a bit of research, and information from Kiplinger Finance, I have found some very interesting information on choosing a retirement community that best suits your interests and needs.
First, the location is the most important factor to consider. Where you choose to live may be determined by proximity to family, your community, the climate, and even the resources surrounding the retirement community.
The second thing to consider is setting a budget… Establishing how much you’d like to spend on housing is crucial. Your budget should include not only your monthly housing costs but also entrance fees — many retirement communities charge fees, and they can be costly.
Decide on whether to Rent or buy … “Some retirement communities offer only rental properties, some offer only homes for sale, and some offer both. Consider whether you want to put down roots or have the flexibility of renting, keeping in mind that it may make sense to rent in retirement for both financial reasons and convenience.” Kiplinger
Consider what level of care you’re looking for…’If you are uncertain how much care you may need, then a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) may be for you. These settings aim to enable retirees to shift from independent living to higher levels of care as they age.” Kiplinger
Look at a community’s amenities and services …
You want to choose those things you enjoy doing. You don’t move there to quit living your life, you go there to enjoy the rest of your life.
“On-site amenities and services, such as beauty salons and barbershops, libraries, gyms and exercise classes, yoga studios, swimming pools, clubhouses, housekeeping, dog parks, spas, art studios, lakes, pickleball and tennis courts, restaurants, continuing education, laundry, game rooms, movie theaters, live entertainment, and transportation to nearby shopping centers and grocery stores, are many of the choices you can choose from.” Kiplinger
Last but not least, research the community’s reputation and visit it – all will offer a tour if you are interested.
After all, it is your choice and choosing wisely will enable you to live your life to the fullest.