As the Baby Boomer generation ages, senior living options are seeing demand unlike ever before. With SeniorLiving.org¹ reporting 10,000 more Baby Boomers will reach retirement every day until 2030, there’s never been more seniors looking for housing.
And an active senior living community could be the perfect solution. Active senior living communities are designed with seniors in mind – seniors who want to enjoy all the comforts of their everyday lives.
What Are Active Senior Living Communities?
Retirement can be a lonely time in life. Many seniors feel like they’re alone, removed from the social interactions of a traditional job. And typically, retiring means you’re spending far more time on your own.
That’s exactly why active senior living communities exist. If you’re craving some much-needed social interaction, want to fill your free time with activities that keep you healthy and thriving, and wish you could meet new friends close to your age with shared interests, an active senior living community puts you at the heart of the action.
Active living communities are nothing like assisted living facilities or nursing homes. They’re designed to bring healthy seniors who live active lives together – and you won’t lose any of your independence. In an active senior community, you’ll live independently in your own space. You’ll no longer need to care for a huge house and you’ll get to take advantage of amenities, services, and shared resources that can make your life easier and more enjoyable.
The Best Senior Living Designed for Active Adults
Active senior living communities come in many different forms. From apartments to communal living spaces, townhouses to facilities offering medical care, there’s a senior living community that offers exactly what you’re looking for. And because these communities are only open to adults ages 55 or older, you’ll get the added bonus of being surrounded by people and activities you can easily connect with.
The best senior living options include the following, which are some of the most popular types of active senior living communities.
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments have all the features and amenities of regular apartments but are designed for older adults. When you live in a senior apartment complex, your neighbors will all be seniors too, so you’ll feel a strong sense of community.
Senior apartment buildings have an added bonus: they’re built to meet seniors’ specific needs. For example, most buildings have elevators, in-unit laundry machines, step-in showers, and emergency call systems. You can also enjoy amenities like fitness centers or classes, on-site salons, planned group trips or activities, and more.
Active Living Communities
Need more space than a one- or two-bedroom apartment? Active living communities are like neighborhoods built just for seniors, offering a selection of single-family homes, condos, or townhouses in a gated neighborhood of just a few blocks.
Outside your front door, these communities offer a wide variety of activities and amenities. Many include fitness centers, swimming pools, walking paths, and golf courses. Some even host arts and crafts classes, cookouts, and movie nights to keep you engaged in your new neighborhood.
Age-Restricted Communities
Age-restricted communities are only open to those above a certain age. The most common age minimum is 55 years, but some have older or younger minimums. In most cases, at least one resident must meet the minimum age, but their partner can be younger.
Like other senior living options, age-restricted communities offer amenities specifically for older adults. Many communities have shared recreational areas, fitness centers, and swimming pools. Your neighbors will be in your age group, so you’ll likely share some common interests. Age-restricted communities can include apartments, single-family homes, or condos, but all of them are designed to create a social community for seniors.
Senior Co-Housing
Senior co-housing is almost like dorm life for adults: you’ll enjoy a private living area for you and you alone, but you’ll share communal spaces like living rooms and kitchens. Co-housing is a popular choice for seniors looking to maintain independence while having access to a community of active seniors without worrying about a huge space like a house or condo. Each home has all of the traditional amenities, but there’s usually a common house with a shared dining area, laundry room, and recreational spaces.
Co-housing community members come together regularly for shared meals, movies, games, and outings. You’ll enjoy the privacy of living alone, but will also have plenty of opportunities for social interaction with your neighbors. And this option can lower your cost of living, too.
Where to Find Active Senior Living Options
Moving into an active senior living community may be a great choice, but it’s also a big change. Before deciding which type of community to move into, you should do careful research on the advantages and disadvantages of each option. Everyone has different needs and priorities, so your decision should be based on your lifestyle.
Additionally, you’ll want to make a decision before senior housing costs rise and availability decreases. Remember, as more and more seniors retire, there will be even higher demand for active senior living options – and right now, there’s still plenty of space. In order to make your decision and find an active community for seniors that you can afford, research active senior living in your local area. An online search can show you all of the options available where you currently live, letting you get quotes, compare homes and communities, and find the perfect fit.