As you contemplate retirement, it’s only natural to consider what your plans are for your Golden Years. Getting to retire means finally having the opportunity to do whatever you like without having to worry about working for a living. Many seniors seek to 
support that worry-free existence by selling their existing homes and moving to an independent living community, a retirement community that’s tailor-made for residents to enjoy all the finer things in life.
But what, exactly, makes an independent living community such a popular place for retirees to live? Is there some mysterious power at work? Nothing like that – it’s just a perfect collection of amenities and services that you might not know about. If you’re interested in learning all about these “hidden secrets” of independent living communities, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what these communities offer retirees, and why they’re so popular!
The Ultimate in Convenience
First and foremost, retirees love their free time. Having to do things that take away that free time is a huge drag – and that’s exactly what independent living communities prevent from happening. Unlike when living in your own property, you’re not responsible for any of the upkeep on your home in a retirement community. From lawn care to appliance maintenance, it’s all covered under your monthly fee – and you don’t have to personally do anything.
Not having any worries about upkeep and maintenance means that you don’t have to worry that the grass is getting too long or that you’ve got to pay the repairman to come and fix your washing machine. Instead, you can get on with your life and get down to the business of enjoying your retirement the right way – and in a way that, coincidentally, won’t break your retirement savings piggy bank. That alone is worth its weight in gold!
Amenities At Your Fingertips
Speaking of going out and enjoying your life, the typical independent living community has dozens of ways for you to enjoy your retirement, right on campus. It routinely starts with lovely outdoor spaces for going on long walks, picnic areas for enjoying a lazy afternoon or two, or gardening areas for exercising that green thumb of yours. Many of these communities have outdoor activities such as swimming pools and shuffleboard and bocce ball courts as well.
Inside, things are just as good. Many independent living communities have a full suite of amenities such as fitness and exercise centers complete 
with physical trainers and therapists, art studios where you can take classes in painting, drawing, and pottery, and craft rooms for hobbies like knitting, woodworking, and much more. Rounding these types of amenities out include libraries with reading rooms, computer rooms, performing arts centers, gift shops, salons, and multiple dining options with food prepared by professional chefs.
Amenities are a very important part of the process of choosing the community that is right for you. Click here to read more tips of choosing a retirement community.
But Wait, There’s More!
If it sounds like independent living community life can’t get much better than that, just wait until you see what else you’ve got in store. In fact, one of the biggest advantages of living in one of these retirement communities is one that’s near and dear to any senior’s heart: the affordability factor. It’s no secret that retirees rely on a fixed income to live on once they’ve punched that clock for the last time, so the fact that independent living communities are so affordable is an incredible bonus.
How affordable are we talking? Well, 
we’ve already touched on how you don’t have to worry about upkeep and maintenance. All those amenities we also discussed? Those are also all part of the deal. In fact, it’s almost guaranteed that, once you figure out what you would be paying every month to age in place in your existing home, your total costs will be lower at an independent living community. And need we remind you that more money in your pocket at the end of the day means more that you can spend on doing things you want to do during your retirement? Talk about a great deal!
Click here to read Do I Have Enough to Retire Now?
The Final Piece of the Puzzle – Healthcare
Healthcare is up there with affordability when it comes to important when it comes to seniors. Medicare has never paid for everything, and unless you supplement it with additional coverage you’re bound to have some possibly expensive holes in your 
budget! This is where retirement communities come to the rescue, though. Independent living communities that offer continuity of care, also known as continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), have their residents covered.
How a CCRC works is pretty straightforward. Simply put, it matches your healthcare needs throughout the entirety of your stay. Whether you have no special needs at all, if you need skilled care, assisted living care, or any other type of healthcare, a CCRC will keep up with what you need and provide it to you. The best part? You lock in your medical costs upon moving in. No matter how long you may be a resident, the portion of your monthly fees that go towards your medical care will never change, even when your level of care does!
Click here to learn if a CCRC is the right choice for you!
The Secrets Unveiled At Last
So there you have it: the so-called “secrets” of independent living communities laid bare. As you can plainly see, none of these is particularly earth-shattering. Put together, however, and they all add up to one of the best options for seniors looking for the most affordable place to live during retirement that offers the most benefits. Let’s be honest: would you want to live in your old, drafty, expensive-to-maintain family home when you could be living in an independent living community?
Want to learn more tips about retirement from the experts? Read these articles from Acts Retirement-Life Communities:
