What to look for when choosing a retirement community

1. What to look for when choosing a retirement community

2. You work, and you save for your entire life, and now it’s time to enjoy yourself. You’ve been looking forward to retirement for years now—maybe decades—so you want to do it right. • But there are so many questions before you can pack your bags and start living your new post-career life. It all comes down to finding the right fit, whether that’s the best retirement communities for active adults or luxury apartments. • We’re here to make it a little easier. Here is what you should look for when you’re choosing retirement and 55+ communities.

3. Lifestyle • Think about the lifestyle you have now. Do you want anything to change, or would you prefer your lifestyle to stay relatively unchanged? The lifestyle should be your first consideration and can include a variety of aspects. • How independent would you like to live? Are you interested in living on your own, or would you like a caregiver in some capacity? Your independence is an important factor and a great place to start. • Then consider the extras in your life. Do you have a pet, and will the community allow the animal to move in with you?

4. Are you allowed to have family members under 55 live with you, or would you prefer 55 and older communities? Can you plant a garden or a grill on the patio? • Maintenance • Many retirees want to downsize when they move into a retirement community. If that’s your plan, then you should find out what the maintenance is like in the community you’re looking at. • The scope of maintenance varies from one community to the next. While some have entire crews to maintain the grounds, others allow the residents to be independent and handle maintenance on their own.

5. In some communities, maintenance is included in the costs of the monthly fees. While others will charge you depending on what kind of work you need. If the community handles the work, you’ll want to know what kind they cover. • Either way, you’ll want to know who is responsible for handling repairs to your unit. • Amenities • Now comes the fun part of looking at retirement communities: all the amenities. Most often, these are the bonus features that can set communities apart. • But there may be some amenities that you don’t want to live without in your new home. The key is to identify your wants and needs.

6. Amenities can vary depending on the style of the community. High-rise senior apartment communities will probably have different features than a community of homes on a large stretch of land. • Common amenities in 55+ communities include a fitness center, security, on-site dining, housekeeping, a library, and activity spaces or common rooms. • While these are necessary, they make a living in these retirement communities much more fun.

7. Recreation • Hand in hand with amenities is recreation. If you’re someone who likes to get up and get moving, you’ll want to find one of the best retirement communities for active adults. • You’ll want to find a community that promotes socialization between residents, so you will have things to look forward to doing every day. Ask to see the recreation schedule or speak with current residents about the recreation. • The best recreation programs will have a mix of on-site and off-site activities. You may have an ice cream social, movie night, or game night in the building. And shopping trips, museum outings, and nice dinners in the city.

8. Be sure to ask what the transportation to any off-site activities is. Are there buses or shuttles, or will you be responsible for getting to and from the activities? • Location & weather • These communities can’t change the weather, but you’ll want to keep it in mind as that can influence the location of the retirement community you choose. • Are you looking to spend your days somewhere where it’s sunny and above 80-degrees every day? Do you like experiencing every season? Or maybe you love colder weather and the snow.

9. When it comes to location, there are a few more factors than the weather. Are you moving out of state? If so, it would be a good idea to take a trip to the area to get a feel for your new city. • Will you be moving closer to or farther away from family? This may affect what features you look for in the senior apartment communities you choose to tour. • If you live near family, you may choose to live more independently because family members may be able to help with chores whenever they visit. • However, if your senior community will be hours from family, you may choose to live in a community where the staff offers more assistance to the residents.

10. Budget • Of course, you have to consider how much all of this will cost. No matter where you live or what kind of home you choose, the budget is a significant factor. • It would be worth it to sit down with a trusted family member or financial advisor and crunch the numbers. What are your savings, monthly bills, and expenses adding up to? • This will help you determine how much you can afford to pay for a retirement community. Of course, what you want to pay may be a different number. Keep both of these front of mind when touring locations.

11. Find the best retirement communities for active adults, senior apartments, or 55+ communities for you • It’s time to enjoy your retirement in whatever way feels right to you. Are you looking for the best retirement communities for active adults or want a slow and relaxing pace, there is a retirement community waiting for you. • Finding the right retirement communities, senior apartments, or 55+ communities that will assist you or allows you to live as independently as you wish. Find the community that offers the amenities you want to enjoy. • Most importantly, find the community that feels like home. • Ready to get the most out of your retirement? Contact us to schedule a tour of one of our stunning communities.

12. Get in touch with us Luxurious Senior Living in Olathe Senior Living Apartments in Ankeny 1225 SW. 28th Street Ankeny, IA 50023 610 East Scenic Valley Avenue Indianola, IA 50125 13350 S. Greenwood Street Olathe, KS 66062 515-518-5774 515-442-9681 913-839-2184 ankenymanager@connect55.com indianolamanager@connect55.com olathemanager@connect55.com Independent Senior Living in Indianola