Could 55+ Be Right for You?

If you’re considering downsizing you may be thinking about 55+ communities and wondering if they’d be a good fit . We moved to a 55+ community two years ago when we decided to make a change to a space that made more sense for just the two of us.

So, here’s some information that could help you make your decision.

What Is a 55+ Community?

It’s important to understand that these communities are made up of people with active lives. Many of us work, entertain, and travel. Some places may also provide services for residents who need a little extra support.

As U.S. News explains: “The terms ‘55-plus community,’ ‘active adult community,’ ‘lifestyle communities’ and ‘planned communities’ refer to a setting that caters to the needs and preferences of adults over the age of 55. These communities are designed for those who are able to care for themselves but may be looking to downsize to a community with others their same age and with similar interests.”

Why It’s Worth Considering This Type of Home

If that sounds like something that may interest you, you may find you’ve got a growing list of options. According to 55places.com, the number of listings tailored for homebuyers in this age group has increased by over 50% compared to last year.

A bigger pool of options could make your move much less stressful because it’s easier to find something that’s specifically designed to meet your needs.

Benefits of 55+ Communities

Here are some reasons to consider this type of living environment from an article on 55places.com.

Lower-Maintenance Living: Tired of mowing the lawn or pulling weeds? Many of these communities take care of this for you. So, you can spend more time doing fun things, and less time on maintenance. There’s nothing better than the sound of someone else plowing your driveway and shoveling the stairs after a winter storm. (A bit of an exaggeration, but no much…)

On-Site Amenities: Some communities feature lifestyle amenities like a clubhouse, fitness center, pools, a golf course, and more, so it’s easy to stay active. There may also be media rooms, libraries, spas, arts and craft studios, and more.

Like-Minded Neighbors: These types of homes usually offer clubs, outings, meet-ups, and more to foster a close-knit community.

Accessible Floor Plans: Many 55+ communities have first-floor living options, ample storage spaces, and modern floor plans so you can live in a home tailored to what you need now.

Our home is one level and about 1300 sq. ft. with two bedrooms and two baths. (One bedroom and bath is the primary suite.) The basement is just about the same size as the first level. It’s unfinished; but other homes are.

Next door are two townhouse with primary suites on the first and second floors. Directly across from us is another one floor home. We have a three season room. (Not included in the square footage) Our neighbors all have decks. We have an ample side yard. The sixth green of our nine hole golf course is nearby in the back. The golf course is challenging, not just a pitch and putt set up.

Bottom Line

Right now we don’t take advantage of most of the opportunities that are offered where we live. We still work full time, as do many of our neighbors and friends. We mostly use the pools and play golf. But, we also know that when we finally decide to kick back a little, we won’t lack for activities and opportunities to keep us busy

Remember: if you’re goal is to downsize, there’s nothing stopping you from moving to a 55+ community if you’re healthy and have a full and active life.

We’d be happy to talk with you about the benefits of living in a “senior’ community. We’ll can tell you about where we live — Southport on Cape Cod in Mashpee — as well as what’s available elsewhere on Cape Cod.

Mari and Hank

The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in this article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision.