The Benefits of Community in Retirement

Retirement is disappointing for some people.  They’re ripped from their work world and friends. Suddenly, they have nothing to do and nobody to do it with.  They just don’t know what to do with themselves.

They’ve lost their sense of community.

When people change their surroundings like that, it takes a while to find their new bearings. It did for me, and it will for you, too.

What is this retirement life that’s supposedly so good all about, anyway?

When we retired, my wife and I became involved with the new Park Place Active Adult Center in Johns Creek. That’s where I started walking with the Park Place Pacers, playing bocce three times a week, and being in charge of entertainment for the monthly dinner.

It’s also where we met so many of my friends. We knew just about everybody. It was our community. Senior centers really do offer a lot!

In fact, we loved our senior center so much that we started looking at active adult communities that offer that same sense of community and activities. 

Our new friends would be our neighbors.

Friends and amenities. What more do you need?

After living in a Del Webb Community for two years, I can say that the sense of community was almost immediate. People were so friendly, open, and accepting right off the bat.  The rewards were immediate.

While everyone comes from different walks of life, we all have commonalities. We’ve survived working and made it to retirement. Additionally, we’re all active, engaged, and passionate about our hobbies. Yes, we may be different, but we relate to one another on so many levels.

When we visited Village at Deaton Creek for the first time, we were paired with an “ambassador couple.” Like ambassadors for a country, they guided us on a tour of the community and its impressive amenities. At the end of the day, the ambassador couple left us with a bit of wisdom before we departed. They said, “Those amenities are pretty impressive, but we have found that it’s the people who really make this community a desirable place to live. ”

My wife and I agree.

So, if you aren’t getting the most out of your retirement, then you may want to visit your neighborhood senior center. Or, if you can, move to an active adult community. No matter what path you take, get involved in activities. Be open to new opportunities and friendships. Trust me when I say retirement is better when you immerse yourself in a community of like-minded people!