Now that you've retired, you may have decided to give up your home for a simplistic lifestyle living in an independent senior housing community. Before moving to any that sounds good on paper, you should be sure to choose the right one that meets your health and lifestyle requirements. Here are five questions to ask yourself before moving to a senior housing community.
1. Is This the Perfect Climate for Me?
Once you've retired, you may not expect to be in sunny 80-degree weather all the time as most believe seniors do. You want to be in a comfortable setting all year round if you can't afford to travel to an alternative summer or winter home. Before relocating, if you're not familiar with the area, talk to the residents and ask them the pros and cons of each of the seasons there. You don't want to uproot just to find out you'll be unhappy.
2. Do They Have the Medical Services for my Specific Needs Nearby?
Many independent senior housing communities have relationships with nearby doctors and hospitals. Although you may not be sick today, that doesn't mean you won't tomorrow. Consider your history and your family's medical history:
If you need more specialized care, will you have access to the services necessary without traveling a great distance? Living near a hospital with plenty of specialists in these areas are important for your well-being.
3. Is This a Convenient Location for My Family to Visit?
If you have loved ones you frequently see, especially grandchildren, consider if they can visit you as often as you'd like, or vice versa. As seniors age, they want and need to see their family members to keep their spirits up. If you are a distance, consider how close the community is to the train station or airport.
4. Can I Afford To Live Here for the Rest of My Life?
What is your financial situation like? Besides verifying it's an affordable community today, it should be three, four, and ten years down the line. You need to verify that the cost of living is one you can adjust to. Look up the taxes in the area and talk to a financial adviser about how that would affect your financial status and pension payouts. You should ensure you have enough money to cover utilities, personal expenses, medications, and various insurance products.
5. Will I Be Comfortable with the Available Lifestyle Options?
Finally, be sure this community enables you to live the lifestyle you want. You want to have plenty to do in the area, and just normal activities on the site won't do. Are your interests:
Make sure there is somewhere in the area you can explore these opportunities.
Moving to an independent senior housing community is a big step. However, with the proper research you'll find it's an easy transition and one you can look forward to. For more information, contact Carriage Oaks Retirement Community or a similar location.
Share21 January 2015
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