Active adult communities are a great option when you're looking to upgrade your living situation to match your lifestyle. Most people transition through many living situations throughout their lives, choosing communities and homes that most closely fit their current lifestyle and needs. If you're approaching that "empty nest" stage, it may be time to consider an age-restricted adult community.
Of course, these communities are far from one-size-fits-all! Choosing one that fits your needs is no different from choosing any other home, and it means asking the same questions and looking carefully at what you want from your move. While no one can decide what's best for your unique situation, these three tips will help you decide the type of community best for your lifestyle.
1. Know Your Long-Term Plans
One of the most important things you can do when moving into any new community or home is to decide on your long-term plans. Are you planning on sticking around for decades, or do you foresee your living situation changing again in a few years? This question can be particularly important if you or your partner already have existing health issues.
If you think you might be looking at a forever home, consider communities with high accessibility. Not all communities feature homes with identical floorplans, so you may consider looking at houses with few steps or a single-floor layout. These considerations won't be important for everyone, but it's a good idea to think about your future needs if you want to avoid moving again if your situation changes.
2. Think About Your Social Requirements
Active communities provide a place to spend time and enjoy life with other adults in a similar stage of their lives. However, not all communities will provide the same amenities or foster the same degree of social activities. This variation is important since some people may be looking for a quiet place to live with other like-minded individuals, while others will want close-knit communities or active social circles.
Think about exactly what you want out of your community and neighborhood, and speak with existing residents to get a feel for what they think about the available activities and amenities. The structure is another important consideration. If it takes a little extra effort for you to get out and be social, you may want to consider communities with structured activities that remove the need for too much planning.
3. Plan for Travel
No one person is an island, and no community is wholly self-contained. No matter how much fun you're having in your new community, you'll occasionally want to get out and see the world. Spend some time thinking about what's nearby, how quickly you can reach attractions outside the community, and proximity to services such as airports or train stations that can facilitate long-distance travel.
These considerations may not seem important initially, but they can go a long toward ensuring that you're satisfied with your move over the long run. Having easy access to travel and nearby adventures ensures you'll have options whenever you're looking for a change of pace.
For more information, reach out to an active adult community near you to learn more.
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