Atlanta 55+ Communities

When you begin to look at your options for retirement, there are a lot of different things that start to come up. Savings funds, Medicaid, benefits programs, and perhaps most of all independent living communities or 55+ communities. You may have heard a little bit about them, but not fully understood what they entailed. Are they like nursing homes or hospitals? Is someone always watching over you? Are they expensive and can you afford them?

Just like Atlanta, 55+ communities have a lot to offer people who are ready to retire and enjoy their much-deserved relaxation time. Atlanta, Georgia is home to many award-winning facilities like Prosper Home Care and Brighton Gardens of Dunwoody. Any independent living community that you choose can offer plenty of amenities such as entertainment, fitness, trips, and even medical assistance if that’s needed. All of these things are customizable, which gives you the best retirement experience.

The Cost Of 55+ Communities

The first thing that you want to know is the cost of an independent living facility because, for the most part, the cost is going to be higher than the average rent in the area. For example, in December of 2015, the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Atlanta was $1,217 and could go as high as $1,659.

Costs for independent living communities will be substantially higher, but you have to take into account that you aren’t just getting an apartment or house when you pay for an independent living facility. You also get all the amenities and services which are included in that cost. For the most part, you can usually find a facility that fits your budget and your needs.

SeniorAdvisor will make your search for the perfect independent living community a lot easier. On SeniorAdvisor, you will be able to easily compare communities based on amenities, costs, and independent reviews.

Ways To Pay For The 55+ Community

Just because retirement communities cost a little extra doesn’t mean that they are totally out of the question for you. Yes, you will have to pay out of pocket for these places because Medicaid and most insurances won’t cover the costs, but there are other ways to cover the cost of your retirement.

If you have a retirement fund that you have been depositing money into over the years, you can use this to pay for rent. Social Security benefits are also a good way to cover some of the cost as well as using the profit from selling your other house or downsizing. You could even get a roommate if you’re single and you don’t mind living with another person.

It’s also a good idea to look into your state’s financing and grant programs. These are ways to get extra money to cover things like rent and utilities after you retire. Some facilities might even offer their own programs to help you pay and you can also talk to the director to see if there is a way you can opt out of certain programs or amenities to lower your total cost.

Things To Look For In A 55+ Community

The best way to find a community that fits your needs and desires is to make a list and ask a lot of questions as you start your search. You need to know what you want from your community before you can make your final decision. Here are a few questions to keep in mind:

What type of house do I want, individual or apartment?

Do I want to be surrounded by friends or other people, or be able to live a private life?

Do I have my own mode of transportation or should I look into shuttles and public transit?

Can I afford utilities and extra bills or do I want that all covered in the cost?

Should I get a meal plan or cook for myself?

Do I want to be able to entertain a lot of people or would minimal upkeep be better?

All of these are things to consider when looking at the basics of a retirement community. Also, look into whether the outside neighborhood is close to shopping areas and grocery stores. Is there a good security system in place? Look into the rules and regulations of each facility as well to make sure they fit in with your life.

After you nail down on all the basics you can think about the perks and extras that are included. If you like to travel around Atlanta, many communities will plan trips and excursions to places like the College Football Hall of Fame, the Georgia Aquarium, or Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Some might even plan trips to other parts of Georgia.

If you’re not big into travel and prefer to stay close to home, a 55+ community is the best place to be. Many of them will have a lot of on-site services like:

classes

fitness

salon and beauty services

laundry services

on call medical teams

swimming and golf

religious services

common rooms for board games and entertainment

All of these are offered right in the comfort of your own neighborhood or even your own building. You can also have things like home repairs and lawn services, it all depends on what you want and need.