This is one older adults opinion on senior housing, the senior featured in the interview, via pod cast is my father. I have helped several older friends, relatives and neighbors transition to a new home because of changes in their lives that occurred through the aging process.
These clients are in their 70'S and 80'S, but that is all they have in common. Their housing wants and needs are dictated by their health, income and the kind of life style they want. There is no one type of housing that works for all seniors just like there isn't a special type of housing for boomer's.
My parents moved because they wanted to live some place where they would not have any yard work, and not have to drive very much. My dad was almost blind at the time and the doctors thought that there was a good chance that he would become totally blind. He later had surgery and can see out of one eye. I hope he was not too surprised to see his new condo for the first time a month or so after he moved in.
Senior housing was not an attractive option for my parents because as my dad likes to say they did not want to live with a bunch of old people. They rejected life in the suburbs because they felt as though they would be isolated and maybe even trapped in their own home. They toured senior housing co-ops, and communities, before selecting a St. Paul condo, three blocks from my own home. They have made friends and do volunteer in the community. They do not need to use their car much and can be seen almost every day taking a walking around the park.
Before finding the condo in Irvine Park we looked at condos and lofts in downtown St. Paul, an appealing option because of the skyway's giving them the option of being out and walking while remaining indoors during the cold winter months. As we toured the lofts the decor in the models was obviously aimed at 20 and 30 somethings, I don't think too many seniors buy lofts.
In the podcast my dad talks about the various housing options they had and why they like living in the
Click here for the senior housing guide for the twin cities
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Teresa,
My parents just went through the same process in Wichita, KS, ending up in a retirement home that I like very much. They moved in about three weeks ago and my father promptly died a week later. As sad as I am about his death, I am also thankful that they got themselves situated just in time.
I am almost 60 and wondering how to get rid of the four bedroom/three bath house that is mostly empty now that the kids have grown. Given the recent slowdown in the housing market, the path of least resistance is to stay put for a few years, at least. The biggest hurdle has been trying to find the place we would like better than Topeka (too hot/humid and too cold). I expect many of us boomers will be thining the same thing.
Thanks for the comment Satchel Topeka. I am sorry to hear about your loss, but just want to add that it is great when parents decide to move and decide where to move to before they get into a situation where their children or someone else has to help them decide. you are too young to worry about this now, maybe you want to start thinking seriously about it in 5 to 10 years.
Here’s a brief update.
My mother agreed to an slightly lower offer after some negotiation (I don’t remember the exact details). She is relieved to be tying up a loose end and thinks that there is no guarantee that she could get a higher offer in the Spring (I heartily agree).
Recently workers at Spirit got a bonus of $60,000+ and this may be helping to keep houses selling. Spirit is a buy-out of the Boeing manufacturing facility in Wichita a year or so back. They got rid of all the troublesome Union leaders (including my sister) by failing to hire them back. Fortunately, she landed on her feet and has moved on.
Thought you might find this of interest.
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Thanks Satchel
Active Adult Communities offer an alternative lifestyle for many individuals especially those who are 55+ and prefer to be independent and have their own place to call home that is affordable and at the same time have less maintenance than buying a traditional home. Some say these senior communities combine the best benefits of owning with the best benefits of renting. You get the tax and equity benefits of owning, yet save the labor of outside maintenance. Some communities offer garages, swimming pool, fitness center, clubhouse etc..
The general rule is at least 80 percent of the units are occupied by at least one person who is aged 55 or older. This means some communities offer that up to 20% of the homeowners may be under age 55, provided they have no school age children. I have found some folks who do not have kids and may not have reached 55 yet, want to live in a community without children. You should ask whether the age-eligibility rule applies to all members of the family or just the head of household. For some developments, a spouse can be younger. Furthermore sometimes an adult child with a disability lives with their parent(s). Before you buy you should ask whether an adult child with a disability is eligible to live in the active adult community if the head of household meets the eligible age.
There are many types of active adult communities available. There is what is known as a condominium apartment and there are those also known as condominium townhouses, and there are single family homes, as well as twins or quads.
Active adult community living is different from owning or renting a single dwelling home or apartment. This is because of the dual nature that comes with ownership. Many of the communities are “condominium”. Condominium owners hold ownership over their respective units but each one sharing responsibility over the operating costs and maintenance of the shared elements in the property such as lobbies, passageways, pools, elevators etc. that are essential parts of some sites.
If you think that living in a senior community might be difficult, be aware there are advantages. First of all, an attached home is less expensive than owning a single detached dwelling. The association takes care of the burden of all outside maintenance including snow removal, lawn cutting, landscaping, roof, and exterior maintenance or replacement, insurance on the building then owning a condo unit might be the best option for you to take. With living in your own condo unit, you might also be able to enjoy the amenities and shared facilities like the pool, clubhouse, and fitness center, and activities room that are usually part of most 55+ complexes. You also get the benefit of living like minded peers whom you can socialize with, and take day trips with, and enjoy your golden years while maintaining your independence.
On the other hand, there are also some things that you should also know about senior community living. Depending on your developer there will be some “rules of the road”. For example restrictions against too many pets, or unregistered cars. A home owner in today’s “retirement community” might not be as free in his own “home” because he/she also has to respect the rights of his/her “neighbors”. That is the challenge that community living carries.
Regarding monthly association fees, there are no free lunches. If you want the pool tennis courts, etc, then the monthly fees will be higher, then in a community where those items are not provided. The same is true of buildings with guards and/or elevators, there monthly fees on average have to be higher. If monthly costs are a critical factor for you pick a community without an elevator or elaborate high maintenance common areas.
My best advice is to shop around. Sometimes if you drive a little you can save a lot of money. One of my favorite builders; Granor Price Homes presently has two active adult Communities in the Delaware Valley.
In Bensalem township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania Granor Price Homes’ is building The Villas at Chancellor’s Glen. This site just north east of Philadelphia (Bensalem Bucks County) and offers unique housing for adults 55 and over, situated in a great location, convenient to major roads and shopping, and featuring an on-site community building with fitness center and indoor pool. This style homes have been built previously in Bucks County , Pennsylvania, by Granor Price homes at the similar communities for active adults (Regent’s Glen and Chancellor’s Glen). Each of these homes start with a popular single-level living layout with great expansion possibilities, having a finished loft space that can be converted into an additional bedroom suite, as well as a guaranteed dry full basement and attached single car garage. The garage is a popular feature as many seniors enjoy the ability to pull directly into their home after shopping, or at night when returning to their home. The Bensalem, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, New Homes website is: http://www.granorprice.com/communities/chancellorsglen/
Granor Price Homes’ as well is building new active adult homes in Gloucester Township, Camden County, New Jersey, using the same layouts as in Bucks County. The community is called the Villas at Broadacres. The community is just one block from Blackwood-Clementon Road and 1.5 miles from the Route 42 Expressway. The website for these new homes is: http://www.granorprice.com/communities/villasatbroadacres/
When comparing communities make a list of what is important to you, for example
Floor Master BR Price per Square Foot Garage New/resale Association Fee
Broad Acres 1st yes New $138
Chancellor’s Glen 1st yes New
Four Seasons by Khov 1st yes Resale
Traditions by Pulte 1st yes Resale
I hope the above is helpful. Of course the above deals with for sale housing only.
It’s true that seniors don’t want to live with bunch of other seniors but if all facilities are available with proper attention one will enjoy it.In order to get more information related to Senior Housing visit at http://www.snapforseniors.com . SNAP stands for Search New Available Places.It is the most current and comprehensive online Senior Housing information source that lists all licensed senior housing providers.