3 Living Options Empty Nesters Should Consider

Making a big change is never easy. However, the sooner you commit to change the easier things become. Such is the case with deciding where to live as you get older. The four-bedroom house you may have raised your children in can simply be too big, too difficult and too expensive to maintain. Other than the wonderful memories you made in the house there is no good logical reason to stay there.

If you are 55 and older there are a handful of housing options that make plenty of sense. Knowing that you should move and actually doing it is often the most difficult part but once you make the move you will be glad you did. Here are three housing options every senior should consider.

1. Your big house with tons of square footage and lawn space may not fit your current needs. Having four bedrooms  doesn’t make as much sense now since your kids have moved out and have family of their own. If you have owned your home for some time, there is a good chance you have a small remaining mortgage balance, or paid off your mortgage completely.  Your home is full of equity which can be used to pay for a smaller house which may better suit your situation. Moving into a smaller house doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on quality; it just means you have less area to take care of and pay for. You can still live in the neighborhood you want but you won’t have all that house to worry about.
2. As you age there are several things you don’t have the desire to do any more. Pushing a lawnmower may have been a good way to get some exercise in your thirties but at sixty it is not how you want to spend a Sunday afternoon. A condominium purchase gives you the ability to live in a comfortable house without having to worry about lawn care & snow removal. The right complex can offer resort-style amenities such as a pool, tennis court, weight room and clubhouse. Depending on your lifestyle some of these make more sense than others, but a condo gives you the ability to pick and choose what suits.
3. There is a difference between assisted living and independent living. Independent living offers you the ability to live in a dedicated community of fellow seniors age 55 and up. These communities can be condo complexes, townhouses, apartment buildings and even single-family homes. What makes these areas appealing are the constant activities, trips, and events planned daily. Depending on the community there may be maintenance services offered and other amenities designed at making living there as easy as possible.

If you feel your home is no longer serving your current needs, you need to take some time and evaluate your situation. Talk to your spouse, your children and anyone you need to help with your decision. Moving on from a home with hundreds of memories is never easy, but can impact the quality of your life for decades to come.

If you are a senior and have questions on these and other housing options please contact senior specialist Sherron Lawrence to answer any questions you may have.