Is your life’s golden years fast approaching? If you’re in the twilight years of your career, the importance of finding comfort and security during your retirement years cannot be overstated.
While many seniors look to downsize their houses or move into retirement homes, some seniors look into living in over 50 communities to spend the rest of their retirement years.
And, truth be told, living in such a community comes with a lot of benefits. From a vibrant and lively community to proximity to amenities, this living arrangement sets the perfect stage for a relaxed and happy life.
The benefits of living in this community-living style arrangement are vast and varied, but that doesn’t mean that it’s automatically fit for you. Here are some insights on over-50s living that can help you gauge whether you’re suited for it.
Let’s hop into it!
Pros of Over 50s Communities
1. Socialising is easy due to a big community
Living in a hub like an over-50s community or Sydney retirement community is a great way to remain socially active in your older years.
If you’re the type of person to thrive in a welcoming and inclusive community, an over-50s environment offers many opportunities for you to connect with peers who share your interests.
While you can say hello to neighbours in most types of living arrangements, an over-50s living arrangement stands out for seniors in particular since you’re interacting predominantly with people in the same life stage as you.
This makes them much more relatable, making it easier for you to become close friends.
Besides proximity to other senior folks, these communities also have staff like security guards, custodians, and gardeners who can serve as a friendly familiar face to you when you step out of your private space.
2. Access to property maintenance
When you get older, it becomes increasingly more tiring to stay on top of home maintenance. And if you live independently, this can be especially cumbersome.
However, this problem is mitigated when you opt to live in an over-50 living arrangement.
For instance, living in these housing units also means that your electricity and plumbing problems are usually dealt with by property management.
3. Accessible on-site or nearby amenities
Another perk of living this way is the added convenience of proximity to amenities.
A majority of over-50s villages are built with a strategic layout in mind. In other words, there may be grocery stores, laundry facilities, and social venues that you can go to whenever you please.
Unlike living in some suburban homes or a non-retirement-centric community, you don’t have to travel too far to find these places.
Often, these amenities are just a hop and a skip from your doorstep, making it convenient to shop around, do your chores and socialise whenever you deem fit.
That said, not all of these retirement villages are propped with these desired perks—so be sure to research your choices thoroughly before moving in.
4. Secure vicinity and property grounds
Living in an over-50 housing unit can translate to increased safety from external threats.
This is largely because these places employ rigid and thorough security measures, such as hiring around-the-clock security personnel, placing CCTV cameras in public areas, and propping up gates to surround the property vicinity.
Furthermore, there are also regulations set in place within the grounds to prohibit residents from engaging in illegal or harmful activities and punish residents who get caught doing so.
These strict security practices help keep the whole community safe.
5. Plenty of recreational activities
Living in an over-50s community helps keep you active. From swimming pools and golf areas to pilates and gym classes, there are several ways you can stay active when you’re older.
This helps keep you healthy, which can reduce the risk of age-related health complications and lead to a better quality of life overall.
Things to consider before moving into an over 50s community
1. Distance from family
Choosing to live in an over-50s community can be tough for people who have tight-knit bonds with their families.
That said, if quality of life is important to you, and you find yourself staying at home by yourself for far too long every day, then staying in these over 50 communities may be the better choice in the long run.
2. Adjustment period
The transition to an over-50s community demands a major upheaval of one’s daily routine. New residents would need to acclimate to both retirement and the community’s unique way of life.
From learning the rules to engaging with a new set of people, the experience can be a massive lifestyle change than one is accustomed to back home.
Besides the mental adjustment, the physical process of moving can also be a big undertaking for residents who are about to move in. Residents may also have to part with sentimental objects and useful appliances as houses in this living arrangement can be smaller than residential homes.
Mentally getting into this routine can take weeks to months for some folks. But once you’re formally adjusted, you’ll be sure to thank yourself for pushing through with this new chapter of your life.
3. Financial commitments
Another area of concern for prospective retirees is the finances required to fund this new living arrangement.
If you’ve been living at home or your child’s home for the past years, moving into an over-50s community requires significant financial consideration.
Moving into these communities typically requires a considerable initial investment. This can be a lump-sum figure, ongoing rental fees, or a mix of both.
Additionally, there may be ongoing costs such as homeowners’ association (HOA) fees, maintenance charges, and other service fees that can add up over time.
If you’re on a pension plan or have a fixed retirement income, you’ll need to consider its value and weigh that before moving into this type of community.
Conclusion
Moving into an over-50s community presents many opportunities for relaxation, security, and socialisation, making it a great way to retire peacefully. That said, there are things to remember before diving into this arrangement.
Regardless, if you see yourself retiring in this sort of community, then don’t hesitate to move into one. Over 50s communities offer various amenities and features that can vastly improve your quality of life. All you have to do is sign the deal and you could very well be on your way to having the best golden years of your life.
