55+ Communities in Maricopa County Offer Best Buy for Active Adults
When planning for retirement, most people immediately think about their savings, Roth IRA, SEP-IRA, 401k, stock portfolios or mutual funds. But housing is an important aspect to consider as we go through the aging process. Compared to the large scope of residential property options available, 55+ communities in Maricopa County could be the best buy for active adults.
Active Adults Have Different Needs and Concerns
As people edge closer to their golden years life perspective shifts. What was important in our younger years may not hold true today. It’s a natural coming of age phenomenon while facing personal mortality.
Addressing mental health challenges remains in the shadows of common conversation amongst older generations. Yet the mindset of older Americans must be talked about and considered when contemplating a change of residence.
Loneliness and isolation aren’t merely possibilities as we age, they are prevalent with the progression of one’s lifetime. Friends pass on. Families move on. And active adults eventually slow down.
There is nothing more depressing than believing you are no longer relevant.
The creation of senior living communities is the perfect panacea to helping active adults generate and maintain a positive and purpose-filled life.
Quality of Life
Men and women approach retirement differently. For some, it may mean the end of working a W-2 job and devoting time to volunteering at a favorite non-profit organization or igniting a passion for a hobby. Others may lessen the time spent managing career by delegating duties to associates, allowing for more moments of socializing with friends who are experiencing a similar shift in lifestyle.
Hours spent at home should be scrutinized, for the ease or inconvenience of property maintenance. Proximity to places of interest and entertainment should be top-of-mind as well.
A preferred goal of active adults is having things to do with their time, just a stone’s throw away.
Peace of Mind
Home buyers of all ages have different ideas about what makes a certain house, townhome or condominium right for them. Part of the definition of real estate is a homeowner’s right to experience what is referred to as quiet enjoyment on and in their property.
As we grow older, quiet enjoyment becomes more precious, coveted, and essential.
The wonder of a tranquil sunrise to start the day, without the annoyance of school buses driving by. Blissful moments of relaxation uninterrupted by uninvited solicitors at the front door. The freedom to come and go without the hassle of worrying about lawn upkeep while you’re away.
Turnkey living in a community where neighbors know you, and care about you. The added assurance of having security entry to the community—it’s all peace of mind, delivered in age-specific residences.
Less Maintenance, More Fun
Reflecting on the home you currently own or those in former years, it likely won’t take long to remember the sweat (and tears) given to the care of the property.
By living in a 55+ community, the hassle of ownership carries a lighter load because they are designed to make life easier. Homeowner Associations are part of these developments, some carry modest annual fees while others are paid on a monthly basis. Usually, the fee corresponds with the kinds of perks connected to the development.
One of the most redeeming factors of living in an adult community is taking advantage of all it has to offer, just around the corner.
Fixed Income
A justifiable concern of would-be retirees is knowing what and how to live on a fixed income. Whether it be social security, dividends from a stock portfolio or a modest yet regular part-time income, for the middle-class, retirement seldom arrives with a large influx of commissions, bonuses, or pay raises. It is what it is.
Configuring how to make the most of the money that is at your disposal will prove to be a wise approach through the aging process.
To compare the cost of a home in a standard resale development to one in an active adult community, the value stacks up for the latter.
Senior Communities Offer Floorplans and Amenities Unlike Others
Ever questioned the steps to reach a home entrance? The way to get into a bathtub? The width of a hallway? The hardware on faucets and kitchen cabinets? The placement of a bedroom?
In younger years, you likely didn’t think twice about the above questions because you didn’t have to. Your dexterity and overall health didn’t necessitate it. But as we age, physical strength and balance can’t be taken for granted.
Builders of senior communities take this into account. Even for those 55+ residents who continue to work full-time, play a scratch round of golf, compete in tennis tournaments, or run an occasional half-marathon, aging will increase vulnerability.
If you were to purchase a home in an active adult community on your 55th birthday, there’s another 20, 30, 40 more years left of living. Why not own a space that conforms to your needs going forward?
Single-level homes
36” interior hallways
Gentle and gradual paths for entry instead of steps
Touchless faucets
Easy grip cabinet hardware
Live Well Amongst Your Peers
Embracing a sense of community as we get older is crucial to overall wellness. Putting roots in a neighborhood comfortable to you that also provides convenient social outlets can add years to your life.
The longer one lives in a residence, the more familiar our day-to-day moments become. A home’s unique sounds and inconsistencies create perfection to its owner. The way the air gently reverberates across a room when the heater turns on. The slight rise and fall of a floor, a creaking from settling, felt underfoot while walking through the kitchen, dark, in the middle of the night to get a glass of water. The light cast through the windows in the living room that indicate the ending of a day, and the time to start supper.
Every owner comes to know how their home breathes and it is in these expected notes of routine that bring comfort. Change—the older we get, especially a move to another property, is difficult.
Feeling at ease where one lives is a priority.
According to AARP, 87% of seniors 65+ want to remain in their current home as they age.
Longevity in the home you love bears a link to better health. Stress is the leading cause behind the increased risk in developing injury, illness and death.
Multigenerational Solution
Making a move into a 55+ community in Maricopa County provides comfort and increased wellbeing to other members of your family.
For the spouse, partner or adult children of the homeowner, knowing their loved ones live in a community geared specifically to their wants and needs, with enhanced health and safety measures in place for aging Americans, is a welcome relief.
Many children of older parents do not live close by, whether in the same city or abroad. This geographical reality can increase worry for the care of aging parents. Family members of those living in 55+ communities can rest easier knowing their parent(s) have a nearby support system for emotional wellbeing, social interaction, and physical activities.
Here are the many reasons why active adults are leaning towards 55+ communities:
Generationally specific
Promotes socialization
Prioritizes safety and security
Rich in amenities
Less property maintenance
Offers turn-key living
Onsite More Reliable than Online Testimonials
Researching the best communities for yourself or your parents can be an arduous process, especially with a pandemic in our midst and the associated guidelines to limit exposure.
At first glance on the web, looking for 55+ communities in Maricopa County will no doubt reveal an extensive list of residential options. But there are differences.
Neighborhoods that are age-specific will vary, from 55+ to 65+, and in those age requirement differences may also dictate the level of amenities and community focus.
Active adult communities are positioned for those seeking a lifestyle more to what is experienced in younger years, with more enjoyment being readily available within the community.
Marketing of senior housing developments may be misleading, showcasing a younger demographic than the reality of its inhabitants.
Whenever possible, do a drive by through the community to get a visual sense of what life, and its residents, are like. It’ll give you a sense of who your neighbors are and the level of energy there. Ask for a tour of the amenities available: golf course clubhouse, recreation center, pool area, onsite restaurant(s), hobby(s) facilities, and more.
Older Adult Market Brings Less Competition, But Not for Long
Currently, the buyer pool for 55+ communities is smaller compared to the larger market of people actively looking for homes. This brings less competition when making offers to purchase.
But with a tightening of resale home inventory and the influx of home buyers from both local areas and abroad, more active adults may consider communities structured specifically for their wants and needs as a more intelligent choice. Should more baby boomers decide to live in active adult communities, the tide may shift and these homes will sell much faster.
Explore how to live well at a price that’s easy to live with. Search these 55+ communities available in Maricopa County to get better acquainted with this unique market.
Timing Is Everything
Many baby boomers express regret in waiting to do a residential move, one that better supports their changing lifestyle.
Imagine relocating when you are 70, 75, or 80 years of age and in many ways, starting over. Developing new friendships, new activities, and new routines can be disruptive to one’s mental outlook as we age.
Having the conversation about if and when to enter into a 55+ community is wise, sooner than later. To fully experience all the benefits of active adult living, delve into the opportunity when active is still a present part of your existence.