Pros & Cons of Moving to an Over 55 Lifestyle Community

Living in a serene and comfortable environment after a lifetime of service at various industries is essential for most seniors. According to industry experts, there has been a continuous rise in the development of retirement villages (also known as ‘lifestyle communities) in the last few years.

Some of the factors influencing the trend of retirement villages are the secured environment and social amenities available in these retirement homes. While moving to a retirement village is a fantastic idea, it is also essential to consider the pros and cons of living in this kind of environment before moving. This is especially if you are new to the concept of such environments.

So, if you are a senior, or you are considering moving your loved ones to a retirement village, here are some of the pros and cons you should consider before activating the plan.

1) Expenses

 Pros

Unlike living in big cities where you have to pay high rents to live in a serene environment and access social amenities, living in a retirement village is costless and is affordable. Once you have paid for the rent or outright payment for the building, you will have unlimited access to any social amenities in the community at a reasonable and affordable price.

Cons

Because of the peculiarities of the environment, not everyone can afford to live in such an environment. Is the price affordable? Yes. However, individuals have a different level of income. So, while some people may find it easy to pay for rent or outright payment, some people may not afford the price.

2) Convenience

Pros

Seniors looking forward to living the rest of their years in peace of mind should consider moving to a retirement village. Why? Everything you will ever need is made available at ease. The homes are built within choice areas, and social amenities are readily available compared to living in outside retirement homes.

Cons

Unlike the general resident, where you can live with your grown-up children, grandchildren, and cousins, a lifestyle community is designed exclusively for seniors and aged individuals. In this case, for you to meet up with your loved ones, you may have to drive miles to visit them.

3) Availability of facilities

Pros

Practically everything you need to keep your life on the move is available in a retirement village. To ensure the safety of all the residents living within the community, developers provide facilities such as health care, fire service, and security units available 24/7. Also, you get to enjoy facilities such as gym centers, swimming pool, craft room, and library.

Cons

Unlike the traditional home where you can lay claim to the facilities within your premises, everything belongs to the community in a retirement village. So, if you are the type that does not like sharing or having contact with neighbors, living in an environment like a retirement village can be a bit complex.

Final thoughts

Living in an over 55 retirement community has its advantages and disadvantages. So, before moving in there, examine some of the pros and cons to make an informed decision. If you don’t really like living a communal life, or you don’t like the idea of sharing facilities, then moving to a retirement village should be ruled out of your plans.

On the other hand, if you are seeking a quiet life without much of the bustles that go on in the city, then this is the best place for you. This article has discussed some other advantages and disadvantages of living in a retirement village.