Portland 55+ Communities

One of the best things about growing older is that you have more time available in your day. Better yet, you get to spend it in ways that make you the happiest. More and more, seniors are willing to trade the time that it takes to do home maintenance and repairs for the carefree lifestyle of living in a 55+ community. Such amenities as a swimming pool, on-site golf course, chef-prepared meals, and on-site fitness facilities may have previously been unattainable. Exploring the possibilities within a senior living community puts those amenities within reach.

If you could imagine a place that embraces culture and cuisine, that also has mild summers and winters, and the piéce de resistance is the spectacular views of oceans and mountains—you will find retirement paradise in Portland, Oregon. Those are the reasons many seniors make Portland home.

Pricing the 55+ Senior Market in Portland

Average rents for a standard Portland apartment as of December, 2015, were $1,266 a month for one bedroom and $1,466 for a two-bedroom.

Portland is as happy to have seniors as seniors want to live there, as evidenced by the over 150 senior residential communities in Portland. The cost of independent living communities will be higher than the average rent due to the amenities offered

SeniorAdvisor can ensure that you have the information you need to narrow down your choices of independent living communities. Pricing information and reviews on SeniorAdvisor offer invaluable information from a site that has no affiliation with any of the communities. This way you get truly unbiased and honest information.

Seniors will find the highest rents in the King neighborhood, and the lowest rents in Parkrose and Centennial neighborhoods.

Funding Senior Housing in Portland

As long as you are able-bodied, paying to live in a senior living community will look very much like it does now. Your primary resources for paying for your living expenses will come from continued full-time or part-time employment, Social Security benefits, or retirement funds.

It may make sense to downsize by selling your existing home and using the proceeds towards your retirement living. You could also rent your home out and use it as a source of rental income. You may have enough equity in your home to tap into it or to obtain a reverse mortgage to cash out the equity. There are pros and cons to getting a reverse mortgage, so talk with a trusted financial advisor to see if it makes sense for your situation.

Benefits of Retirement Community Living

Living in a retirement community will open up new opportunities for seniors who wish to stay physically and mentally alert. Here is a partial list of common amenities:

Fitness classes

Game rooms

Free WiFi in common areas

Dog parks

Outdoor grilling and dining areas

Swimming pool

Golf course

Lectures and workshops

While you may not find everything that you are looking for in your preferred location, it helps prioritized the amenities that are most important to you. Narrow your choices down by zeroing in on the communities that offer most of what you are looking for.

The Basics of Community Living for 55+ Seniors

Senior communities will consist of some combination of single family homes, condos, or apartments. Each community decides if their properties are available for lease or purchase. Many senior complexes will take care of the outside of the building and the common areas. The association may take care of the interior of the property, or pass that responsibility on to you.

Some of the utilities may be included. It’s wise to ask which services and utilities you will be responsible for, so that you can budget for them. Inquire about site security and safety protocols. You may also be interested to know if they allow pets and if there is a security deposit for them. Note that they may also have restrictions on the number, size, and breed of pets.

Extra Amenities in Senior Communities

In addition to on-site amenities, many senior communities offer group transportation. You’ll want to ask when it runs and find out if the routes match the places you need to go, such as doctor appointments, visiting relatives, or linkage to public transportation. If you love gardening, some communities offer a community garden where you can weed to your heart’s content.

Choosing a 55+ Community Location

Choosing your favorite location is just as important in selecting a senior community as it is when choosing to live elsewhere. Think about how you will enjoy country living as opposed to city living, where you can walk most places that need to go.

With so many senior communities in Portland, those who prefer rural living may need transportation. Portland offers TriMet, a public ride system for seniors and people with disabilities. It’s not free, but seniors get a reduced fare. TriMet offers special services for seniors who are unable to use buses or trains.

Preparing for Future Senior Needs

One of the things that may be important to you is whether the community offers alternative care services such as in-home independent living services, assisted living, or nursing care. While you may be healthy at the time you move to the senior community, your health may deteriorate to where you need additional services. You may want the option of adding them without having to relocate to another facility that you are unfamiliar with.