Adult community living options include seniors-only apartments, retirement communities, mobile home or recreational vehicle (RV) communities, ECHO housing, congregate or shared housing or continuing care retirement communities.
When planning about adult community living, cost is always a primary consideration especially in today’s rising cost of living. A retiree’s source of income, which may be his or her pension or social security, should be enough to cover all expenses of adult community living. These expenses include rent or mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, medical expenses, insurance expenses, transportation, groceries, recreation, and other miscellaneous expenses.
There are plenty of senior housing options for those seeking affordable adult community living. Senior communities provide affordable housing with a homeowner’s or membership fee, which covers expenses such as yard care, snow plowing, water supply, and use of amenities such as a swimming pool and tennis court. However, these facilities typically have restrictions on visitors, pets, and parties.
In adult community living, you will still be able to enjoy your right to privacy and have regular opportunities to interact with other residents, even join organized activities and attend community meetings. However, adult communities have age restrictions on residents. Typically, they should be aged 55 and above so if a family member wants to move in with you and they are not within the age limit, they will not be allowed residence.
There are also other restrictions in adult community living. For example, noise must be kept to a minimum out of consideration to other residents in the community. You may also not be able to own a pet. Some retirement communities do not allow young children to visit or if they do, only until a certain hour, so your grandchildren may not be able to stay overnight. When choosing a retirement community, make sure to ask about their rules and policies so you find out if they are acceptable to you. In addition, find out if the fees are refundable should you later find the home not suitable and decide to leave.
Transitioning to adult community living can be emotionally difficult for some. To ease your move, choose a home in a city that is familiar to you or close to your family. Keep in touch with friends, former co-workers, and neighbors. You may want to spend some time first to be familiar with your new home before actually moving in. You can do this by visiting the place a few times and speaking with residents.
Make sure you bring with you keepsakes of your family and friends such as photographs and other treasured pieces. Participate in community affairs and activities. Make the effort to get to know the other residents. Form new friendships. These are the best ways to enjoy adult community living.
