Things to Look for in a Retirement Community
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Choosing the right retirement community is one of the most important decisions you will make. There are some very important things you need to consider that will influence the questions you ask and how you evaluate the answers you receive.
The following are five important things you need to consider when making your decision:
1. WHAT SORT OF ENVIRONMENT DO YOU WANT TO LIVE IN?
Your environment includes your immediate environment as well as the broader
environment. When asking yourself what environment you would prefer to live
in, you need to consider the impact of climate, access to transport and resources,
local culture and the type of home and immediate surroundings you would prefer.
Do you like things to be quiet or do you prefer a hub of activity? Do you want to maintain your own privacy or are you happy to be part of a village atmosphere? You are not likely to get reliable answers just by asking questions over the phone. To really assess environment you need to spend some time in it.
This means you have to visit a retirement community more than once to get a feel for the place. Quietly sit in a garden or walk around it at different times of day so that you can see what goes on, get an idea of the atmosphere and how people relate to one another. Ask people you meet how they like it and if there are any problems.
2. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
As well as the buy in cost for your retirement home you will be charged to use
the community amenities. You need to be clear about what the ongoing fees are
as well as any specific charges for additional services or programs. You should
also ask about planned future development and how this could affect your environment,
property values and ongoing costs.
3. AMENITIES
The best retirement complexes will give residents access to a range
of facilities and services to enhance their retirement. What sort of facilities
would you use regularly: a swimming pool, spa, tennis court, golf course, games
room? Everyone is different, so to ensure that you find the best retirement
community to suit your personal needs carefully consider your own interests
and the sort of activities you would most enjoy.
4. HOUSING
Would you prefer to live in a stand alone house or a small apartment?
Different retirement villages offer different types of retirement homes and
you need to be clear on what sort of housing you would prefer. If you haven’t
lived in an apartment before, choosing to do so in retirement could be a mistake
as you will hear sounds through walls and ceilings that you are unused to.
5. SERVICES
Does the retirement community have on call medical and nursing support
if necessary? Does the facility maintain the grounds around your accommodation
or do you have to do it? If they maintain the lawns and gardens will they allow
you to do as much maintenance personally as you wish? Depending on your current
and expected needs, the answer to these questions will help you decide on the
right retirement complex for you.
If you ask the right questions, you will be able to obtain the necessary information to choose a retirement community you can enjoy for many years to come and avoid the many possible pitfalls unwary retirees can stumble into.
More on Retirement for Baby Boomers
Baby Boomer Retirements and the Insolvency of the United States Government.
Retirement Planning Now Rather Than Later
9 Tips For A Great Retirement Speech