Remember that energizing blend of stress and excitement accompanying your journey to college? Maybe it’s time to revisit that emotional odyssey. When considering a move to a 55-plus community, get ready for that same rush of anticipation.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people ages 55 and older represent more than 20 percent of the country. For many of us — I’m 62 — retirement is not about settling down and living the rest of life in a tired routine. We are eager to explore new things, maintain a social life and enjoy our life savings. With these healthy aging goals in mind, active adult communities have become increasingly appealing.
For me, tackling the emotions of moving began when our youngest child moved out. I loved the idea of condo life, which offered an escape from house and yard upkeep. However, I worried about how our three grown kids, all single and living independently, would feel about losing their "home base."
Shouldn’t we wait until all were settled (read married) before moving on? My husband, four years older than me, felt that was unrealistic.
So our search began with local condo communities. We quickly found these full of young couples with small children. We feared being the neighborhood "older couple," lacking peers with whom to socialize Plus the townhouses we liked best had stairs everywhere — not great for aging knees and mobility.
After a yearlong search, we found just the right active 55-plus community. The New Jersey Shore location is ideal, the condo layout is perfect and we are slowly becoming immersed in our new neighborhood which includes a pool, a gym and a clubhouse for everything from card games to themed parties. I've taken up yoga classes, and water aerobics and even helped launch a community newsletter.
Having made this move and having surveyed many retirees, here are my key findings.
The best reasons to move:
How does your empty nest feel? The early retiree days are just plain fun. The sense of newfound freedom is exciting. No more professional deadlines. You can eat dinner at 10 p.m. (or 4 p.m.!) and watch movies at 3 a.m. (or noon!) — without workplace or children worries. A long-lost feeling of spontaneity was returning — and I was constantly paging through travel brochures. That sense of freedom propelled us to change our lives. If this is you, perhaps it’s time for a life lift and home change, too.
House getting heavy? Does the prospect of new paint or a new deck cause more dread than delight? Does the idea of a new, smaller space spark your imagination? Both were true for me. Suddenly, our happy home where my husband and I raised three awesome children and hosted many parties for neighbors and friends, felt burdensome. So many projects needed tending. It was the right time to focus on tending more on ourselves.