The article posted the question, “What do we want most in our retirement years?”.
The article was one that caught my eye since I read just about everything I see about retirement. It turned out to be a sales promotion by a financial advisor. You know the type that says us Boomers are doomed because they don’t think we saved enough and we need their help. The caption under the large photo with the retired couple with the man’s hands around his head in despair was: Have we saved enough for retirement?
I find these type articles distasteful and probably unhelpful to those who actually need help, but like most things, there was a bit of truth in it. The question they raised “What do we want most in our retirement years?, was answered with three words: Financial Security, Health, and Companionship.
I thought since we are writing about 55+ Active Adult Communities, it would be fun to see how those relate.
Financial Security: To live in a 55+ Active Adult Community, at least the large ones like those of Del Webb, Cresswind (Kolter), Robson Resort, Lennar or any of the other Top Active Adult Community Builders, you need to have at least the average amount of financial resources. You don’t have to be wealthy by any means, but you need some means. Most people that live in these communities have successfully accumulated funds for a good retirement.
Having said that, I think living in an Active Adult Community is a wise step that does help to protect your financial security by letting you know your housing costs, having some expenses like landscaping included in the HOA fees, providing entertainment and activities.
Health: Active Adult Communities are excellent in providing all sorts of physical and mental activities to keep you healthy. Physical activities including walking, swimming, pickleball, softball and many more. Mental activities are important also and these communities provide forums and learning opportunities, games and activities to keep your mind working. Plus most of these communities are located near a hospital and medical buildings full of doctors. Floor plans are of the Universal Design that includes one level living with no steps, higher counter tops and commodes and many other features that promote safer and easier living.
Companionship: There is a calendar full of socialization opportunities for just about every day of the week. You can just walk out your door and pretty soon you will be talking with someone. Some activities recur several times a week, weekly and monthly. You get to know those who share the same interests as you do.
I think at least a third or more of my community are single. There are active single clubs and informal single groups that do things together. Plus singles are better assimilated into activities here because of so many group activities.
So if the article is correct and what we most want in retirement is Financial Security, Health, and Companionship, living in an Active Retirement Community can help.
Now, let me see if I can find a happy photo of retirement for the top of this post (me with a friend last week at the Gainesville Botanical Garden), not this one with the distraught couple worrying about retirement (below).
