The start of the New Year is a popular time to set new goals and priorities. For older adults, one recurring topic is where to live during retirement. The burdens of home ownership may feel greater during the winter, as can loneliness and isolation. For many, the solution can be an independent living apartment or cottage in a Life Plan Community.
If you're thinking about moving to a Life Plan Community, it's important to determine which features and amenities matter most to you. The process might feel overwhelming, but the result will be an informed decision that will leave you confident in your choice.
Choosing Your Space on a Life Plan Community Campus
Choosing an apartment or a cottage that’s the right size and style requires careful consideration of several factors. It involves evaluating your personal needs, preferences, budget, and more. The idea of moving from a large home to a smaller space can be daunting. However, you’ll likely discover many apartments and cottages are the ideal size for an older adult who is looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle.
Here is what this resident at Ware Presbyterian Village has to say about moving into her apartment.
To help guide you through the process, we’ve listed a few factors to keep in mind:
Budget: For most of us, retirement budgets are a necessity. Financial restrictions can play a role in which life plan community you choose. Before beginning your search, have a good idea of how much you can afford to spend each month. Also, take into account any entrance fees you may incur. In most communities, pricing will vary based on unit size, style, and location. At PSL, each communities' website includes a link to pricing and fees for all home selections. It also lists included amenities and services.
Many residents find living at a Life Plan community is more convenient and less costly than living in their previous home. The Residency Investment Fee is often covered by the sale of a house. The Monthly Maintenance Fee is usually covered by Social Security, pensions and/or money previously used for monthly utility bills, home maintenance and repair, transportation, insurance premiums and property taxes.
In addition, communities offer pricing alternatives on residences to help make your new home a reality. Our experience has taught us some people have strength in their monthly income, however their ability to pay a larger entrance fee is a challenge. For others, the larger entrance fee and lower monthly maintenance fee is a better fit. Please contact your preferred community sales team to learn which option might work best for you.
Type of unit: Home options vary by community. For example, PSL's Cathedral Village offers apartment buildings exclusively for independent residents near Philadelphia. At Westminster Woods in central Pennsylvania, villas are located in natural, wooded surroundings with an all-season sunroom to enjoy the view. Think carefully about how much privacy you’d like and which housing unit best meets your needs.
Size of space: This can be the toughest part of the decision-making process. It’s easy to think you’ll need more space than you do. For example, do you need two or three bedrooms, or is one enough? Communities sometimes have guest suites you can rent for out-of-town visitors. Instead of having a home office, you might designate a corner of your living space for your desk. Will you do as much cooking when your meals are included in your monthly fee? Maybe a smaller kitchen will suffice.
It's best to think of this step as “rightsizing” your life and home. This is your opportunity to create a home suited for the life you want to live: leaving behind the spaces you don’t use and keeping the spaces you do use.
This doesn't have to be an overwhelming process, however. Every home transition should begin with a floor plan and our experienced teams can guide you through room layout and storage options as you select your home. They will help you define functional spaces in a way that makes your new residence spacious and welcoming. In addition, our team can help you customize your surroundings and manage the details from start to finish. Step by step they can work with you through the array of options to help you select styles, colors and finishes that bring warmth and life to your new home.
Staci Warsaw, Executive Director at Kirkland Village notes, "When you decide to live at Kirkland Village you can customize your residence to your decorating preferences, to your color preferences.
"We have a design specialist who will work with you on any options you want in your residence, bringing together a really beautiful finished product."
Outdoor access: You’ll also want to think about outdoor living. Is having a patio or porch important? If yes, then you’ll want a community that offers that option. Think about how you will use the space. For example, Carole Ann T, a resident at Pine Run Village says, "What I first fell in love with at Pine Run was lots of fresh air, sunlight, and the feeling of a real neighborhood. I could bring my dog Pugsley who loves people." Will you plant a container garden? Or maybe sit outside and read each morning? Most communities have grounds with tables, chairs, and other amenities for residents to enjoy. Many even offer raised beds for gardening in a designated spot on campus.
Family involvement: Finally, how often will you invite friends and family over to visit? Think about how many people you’ll likely entertain at one time. While your apartment or cottage might not be big enough to accommodate a large family dinner, the community likely has other options. You can take advantage of them when the need arises. As an added benefit, the community’s culinary team might also be able to assist with menu planning and provide meals.
Schedule a Visit to a PSL Community Near You
Choosing the life plan community that best fits your needs requires balancing personal preferences, current and future health needs, available budget, and the lifestyle you wish to maintain. By carefully considering these factors, you can ensure your new home will be a comfortable and supportive environment for years to come.
The best way to start your search is to schedule an in-person tour of the communities on your list. We hope you will include a visit to a PSL community in a location that interests you. Call today to set up a time!
