Most seniors would choose to travel the world once they retire, but some prefer to live in a place they can call their own. If that goal makes sense to you as you enter retirement age, then you might as well consider living independently in a healthy senior community. Longevity LIVE Paid Content.
As one of the many lifestyle options you can pursue as a retiree, independent living provides you with the opportunity to live on your own terms. In this case, you get to pick the home you want to settle in and live in among other seniors in an all-inclusive community. Independent living offers the following advantages:
1. Comfort and Leisure
Independent living communities may provide amenities that match your lifestyle. From tennis courts to libraries, there is always room for the things you love if you choose this retirement option.
2. Company and Friendships
Despite the name, an independent living community gives you the opportunity to connect with other seniors who may share the same interests as you. You can even do the activities you love with other people. That way, you will be able to make new friends and feel less lonely as you age.
3. Flexibility and Convenience
Living independently means you don’t have to do any cleaning and maintenance on your living space. It’s the community that does many of these activities through a team of housekeepers.
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In addition, the house you are living in is designed to require fewer modifications as you age. That way, you don’t have to spend time and money adjusting your home to your growing needs.
4. Newfound Freedom
You have worked hard in your career, so you deserve to slow down and relax. With independent living, you get to enjoy the things you love without worrying too much about the money you’ll be spending and the time that you’ll be wasting.
If you are looking to live your best life during retirement, then you might as well pursue an independent lifestyle. To make the transition easier for yourself, consider these essential tips:
Check your finances
Before you even think about living independently, you have to know if you can afford the kind of lifestyle it entails. Retirement communities often charge a monthly fee that covers housing maintenance, laundry, food, and transportation. Independent living is less costly than aging in your current home. As you wait for retirement, try to see if you have enough savings and social security funds to afford the community you like.
Look around for the perfect neighborhood
After you have determined your monthly expenses, you will need to choose a community that matches your budget and your lifestyle needs. If you want to be near loved ones and friends, start searching locally for retirement communities close to where you currently live. For instance, if you are in Spokane, you can look towards Riverview Retirement Community, which offers maintenance-free and pet-friendly houses and apartments.
Pay the community a visit
If you find a retirement community you like, look past the brochures and check the area yourself. Ads and marketing materials can sometimes be misleading, so dig deeper and find out for yourself if the overall environment matches your preferences.
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Consider requesting a tour and scouting for the perfect place to settle in. You can also talk to the residents and ask them about their experiences, the activities they do, and the quality of the food served to them.
Choose the right living space
If you are satisfied with a certain community, you can get started looking for a living space that’s right for you. In this case, you have options for a house or an apartment, but some communities offer luxury living spaces. Apart from the type of home you want to live in, it’s important to pick the right size.
The community manager may give you a brochure that includes the types of accommodations that are available. Before you settle into a cheaper home or apartment, consider looking at the property yourself and getting a good feel of what it’s like living there for good.
Know what to bring along
As you prepare to transition to an independent living community, you need to be clear with the items you will need to bring along. You can bring smaller items like photo frames and coffee tables to your new home, but give a second thought about transferring large fixtures such as cabinets, dining tables, and chairs.
Unless these carry sentimental value, it would be best to sell them off before moving out. This gives you less to unpack as you start the next chapter of your life.
Give yourself time
You may find it difficult to adjust to this new environment, but that’s understandable. Eventually, you will come to love your new lifestyle over time, so be patient. Focus on the exciting things you can do and the interesting people you will meet along the way.
If you are going to retire anytime soon, you might want to consider living independently as part of your game plan. Even if you don’t feel any urgency to live in a senior community, at least you know where to go if you are ready to take things slow.
