St. Louis 55+ Communities

The best thing about entering retirement is the ability to be able to do what you want when you want. You get to design your life according to your interests and hobbies as well as take the time to truly enjoy them. One of the best ways to live the life you want during these years is to move into a 55+ community. Fortunately, there are dozens of communities in St. Louis, Missouri and the surrounding areas.

If you don’t know much about these retirement communities, it might feel like they are only for people who need help living life and are too disabled to do things on their own, but that isn’t the truth. 55+ communities are places where you can bond with others your age and who share your interests as well as take advantage of the numerous opportunities offered at these facilities. You can also take advantage of their amenities like home repairs, lawn services, chef-prepared meal plans, and various forms of entertainment.

You don’t have to leave St. Louis either to find excellent independent living communities because they are home to a few award winning facilities. Tower Grove Manor and Synergy Homecare are just two of the seven 2016 Best of Senior Living award recipients in the St. Louis area.

The Cost Of A 55+ Community

When you compare the cost of average rent in St. Louis it is going to look significantly higher than the cost of living at an independent living facility. If you look at the average cost of an apartment in December of 2015, rent was between $740 and $934.

You will be paying more per month for all of the services and amenities that an independent living community offers. In the end, it could end up being a less expensive because you won’t have to pay for those costs out of pocket. There are ways to cover the costs of your retirement so that it fits your budget.

SeniorAdvisor can help you do the research required to make an informed choice when it comes time to choose a retirement community. Instead of having to wade through a lot of different sites, you can compare starting rates, amenities, facilities offered, services, and more in just a minute.

How To Pay For A 55+ Community

Understand that you’re probably going to have to pay a good portion of a 55+ community out of your own money. There are certain times that things like Medicaid will cover some of the cost, but eligibility differs from state to state, so you will have to look into your coverage. You can purchase Senior Living Insurance to help afford the cost of living after retirement, just make sure that you read the fine print and go over the coverage carefully.

You can also look into financing programs like AARP and Life Care Funding Group to see if you can get some financial help for your community. Social Security benefits are also a good option when it comes to financing.

Beyond that, you can look into downsizing, sell or rent your house, and use those funds to help cover your cost. A roommate is another option if you’re single, but that might not work for everyone. There are many different options when it comes to a 55+ community, so be hopeful that there will be a community that will fit your budget and needs.

What To Expect From Your 55+ Community

If you like living in your own home but would like to move into a smaller community with more security, find an independent living community that is gated. If you want to have everything centrally located, then you might want to look into apartment buildings or places with a community center. If traveling is the way you want to spend your retirement and just want a place that is low maintenance, you can find that as well.

Look out for rules about pets and guests so that you know you won’t be in violation. Ask about utilities and food and see if they are covered in the overall cost or if you will have to pay extra. Transportation is another thing that you might want to look into as well as proximity to shopping and grocery stores. If you don’t have your own car then you want a place that is close to public transit or offers a shuttle service.

Once you figure out the nitty gritty of basics, you can focus on the perks of living in an independent community. St. Louis as a city has so much to offer and if you’re interested in exploring places like the Gateway Arch or taking in a ball game at Busch Stadium, you can find a facility that regularly schedules outings and day trips.

If you’re a homebody and don’t have an interest in venturing out, 55+ communities are ideal because they can offer so many things right at their facility. You don’t have to leave to go to the salon or do laundry, you can take classes and go to the gym steps away from your home. Entertainment like board games, bingo, and variety shows are offered right there and if you need medical assistance there are many places that can take care of your needs.