We have all heard of people who retire to 55+ communities, about all the fun they have playing tennis and lazing around the pool and how much they enjoy their independent lives of relaxation. But, what exactly are 55+ communities, and how do active adults select the right community?
Requirements for 55+ Communities
Selecting the right 55+ community is no easy feat as no two communities are the same. These communities differ in the neighborhood, price, type of house, amenities, and services, etc. For example, many communities are “age-restricted”. What does this mean? Age-restricted means at least one home-owner should be over the age of 55. The rest of the residents in the home could be younger but should be over the age of 18. Furthermore, most 55+ communities require independent residents. This is because 55+ communities do not offer medical or personal care assistance. Many seniors mistake these communities for senior homes. They are not. However, most communities are located in proximity to medical facilities. Furthermore, most 55+ communities are also located in proximity to shopping and other facilities, so that seniors can live as independently as possible.
Types of 55+ Communities
If you are interested in moving to a 55+ community, you should be aware that there are many types to choose from. Firstly, there are active adult communities that enable seniors to live a resort lifestyle in a leisurely manner. These communities feature various amenities, which cater to a life of leisure, such as, golf, swimming, tennis, and exercise. Every community features a clubhouse where residents gather to enjoy life by joining clubs, playing cards or billiards and take classes in pottery or art or anything that catches their fancy. For example, communities such as The Peninsula by Schell Brothers in Millsboro, DE and Cypress Pointe – Meadows by Freedom Homes in Lake Wylie, SC are communities that offer residents resort-style living.
The second type of 55+ communities is the one that enables its residents with a stress-free, independent lifestyle by providing secure, convenient, maintenance-free homes. These communities are gated and include a 24-hour guard and may levy its residents a fee for the services and amenities provided. These communities enable 55+ seniors to enjoy retirement without worrying about yard work and home maintenance. Communities, such as, Chelsea at Arcona in Mechanicsburg, PA, and Red Mill Village in Norton, MA are communities that fall into this category.
Then there are the senior apartments for those who do not wish to take on the responsibility of owning a home. These apartments offer seniors facilities (which may be charged), such as, free meals (usually one meal), housekeeping and laundry. Meals can be taken in a common dining room and facilities may include a common pool, meeting rooms, library and exercise room, etc. These apartments are geared towards encouraging socializing and continuing education.
Because there are many options to choose from, you need to research your choices closely. Why not go through our website for your 55+ community requirements? We provide a variety of choices and you can find out more on our communities by going through the photos, floor plans, amenities and services and – in some cases – a virtual tour. You can also consider an on-site visit if you have to see the real thing. All this is possible when you visit ActiveAdultLiving.com, a comprehensive website featuring more than 8,500 active adult communities.
