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by: Kyle Thomas Haley
For years you’ve lived in that sprawling house where
you raised your children . . . it’s home. But now you
don’t need all the space and the upkeep is becoming
more difficult every year.
You now have to consider things that weren’t issues
before. When you were younger, you never thought about how
many times a day you went up and down the stairs. You didn’t
mind having the bedroom upstairs and the laundry facilities
in the basement. Now, all those steps are taking their toll.
Washing windows isn’t as easy as it was before either,
is it? Climbing an extension ladder to reach the second story
becomes a bit scarier with each passing year. As you age,
you become more concerned about falling.
You may be thinking it’s finally time to move into
a home that’s a bit more senior-friendly, but what are
your options?
• Smaller, single level houses
• Condominiums
• Apartments
• Retirement communities
• Assisted living facilities
Let’s take a more detailed look at these options:
Smaller homes built on one level with convenient laundry
facilities may be what you need.
Look for a house that requires little outside maintenance.
A brick or vinyl-sided house won’t require painting.
An open floor plan may be helpful if you’re ever confined
to a wheelchair. A smaller yard allows you to garden but still
keeps the yard work to a minimum. An attached garage is a
helpful feature, especially in the winter when icy sidewalks
can cause falls. Of course, finding a location that’s
close to shopping, public transportation and medical facilities
is also important.
Condominiums provide privacy without a lot of maintenance.
Like individual houses, there are many different types of
condominiums from which to choose. The main advantage of a
condo is that outside maintenance of both the structure and
the yard is usually provided. Most condos include a small
area where you can plant flowers but the lawn and other common
areas are maintained by the association. There are additional
fees for this mandatory service so be sure to find out if
they will fit into your budget.
Apartments require no maintenance.
One of the main advantages of apartment living is that you
aren’t responsible for any maintenance. You don’t
have to worry about painting, replacing major appliances or
yard work. Apartments also give you a certain degree of freedom
because you don’t have to worry about them if you travel
a lot. It’s important for laundry facilities to be easily
accessible and that there is an elevator if your apartment
is to be on a higher floor. You won’t have as much privacy
and your only personal outdoor space may be limited to a small
patio or balcony, if that. Rent is likely to increase and
is not tax deductible on your Federal returns.
Retirement communities or assisted living facilities give
you the highest level of security.
Both of these options are specifically designed for seniors
and offer many safety features not found in regular housing.
The amount of privacy you have depends on which community
you choose. Your medical condition will usually dictate whether
a retirement community or assisted living facility is your
best choice. Some retirement communities offer private living
space, much like individual homes, as long as you’re
healthy and then provides assisted living if your health deteriorates.
Giving up the home where you’ve lived for many, many
years may seem a little scary. But, often a new home that
brings less responsibility and greater peace of mind will
make you feel years younger.
About The Author
Kyle Thomas Haley has been helping people relocate on the
Internet since 1999 with Apartment and Relocation Websites:
www.apartment-rental.net
www.relocation-guide.net
Copyright 1999 – 2005 STANZEEKAY Inc. You have permission
to publish this article, free of charge, as long as the bylines
are included and none of the links or content are removed
or changed.
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