Houston 55+ Communities

If you don’t know much about independent or 55+ communities, it might conjure up images of older people shut in their homes or a nursing home-like setting. Nothing could be farther from the truth and there is so much more to these neighborhoods and communities.

Now that you’re thinking about retirement you want to get the most out of your free time and really enjoy life. That is exactly what a 55+ community can offer and Houston, Texas has some of the best places to live. These places and facilities can give you customizable living situations so that you can enjoy your hobbies while not worrying about things like home or yard maintenance.

There are over 50 independent living communities located in the Houston area and many have received top ratings and awards. These places can offer you amenities such as swimming, classes, home repairs, and even meal services.

What To Expect In Terms Of Cost In Houston

This is the big question that most people have when it comes to a retirement community because they appear to be very expensive. In all actuality, it depends on where you decide to live and what type of amenities you choose. On average, a regular 1-bedroom apartment in Houston, Texas is about $1,321 and can go up to $1,541.

Sometimes it can be difficult for seniors and their families to find rates for independent living communities. This is due to the fact that rates vary depending on the services and amenities offered to residents. Some units may cost twice as much as others. SeniorAdvisor has all the information you need to find the right community, including the starting rates for many housing units.

How Can I Pay For These Communities?

Now, the price might still seem a little steep and it might feel like you can’t pay for these places. Unfortunately, Medicaid and other benefits programs might not cover independent living, although there are certain situations where they might, so it is important to check with the facility you’re interested in.

Social Security benefits can be used, and if you have been saving for retirement, then you should be able to easily cover the costs of these communities. You can also choose to have a roommate to help defray the cost of rent, but make sure that you do a trial run to see if you and your potential roommate get along and can live together in the long term.

You can also meet with the facility directors to see if you can negotiate a lower cost or if there are any programs to help cover the cost of rent. They might also allow you to pick and choose the services you receive and that can greatly lower the cost of a 55+ community.

What Can I Do In These Communities?

If you know that you want to move to a 55+ community, you probably want to know what you can expect to do there. Houston, Texas is already a great place to live and entering an independent living community can make it even better. The important thing to do before you make your final choice is to decide what you want out of your experience.

What is your priority during retirement? Do you want to relax and spend time with friends and family? Then you should look into areas in Houston that offer things like golf courses and large community centers where you can gather with loved ones. Do you want to get out and explore all that Houston has to offer? There are plenty of communities that offer field trips or excursions to places like the Space Center or the Houston Zoo. Or, are you looking to travel all over the country and want a home that is taken care of with little upkeep? This type of living is easy to find in the Houston area.

As you’re searching for your new home, decide what price range you are comfortable paying for and look for those within that budget. Make sure to find out if things like cable and electricity are included in the total cost because that could affect how much you actually pay. You might also want to find out if they offer a meal plan and factor that into your food budget and decide if that is something you want.

Once you have the basics covered, think about the extras. 55+ communities often have centers on site where they offer a variety of different programs like:

music lessons

language classes

art projects

guest speakers

fitness classes

sports and board games

cooking classes

performances like stand up or variety shows

Also, decide what type of community you would like. Do you want a neighborhood setting where you can walk around and visit with neighbors or would you prefer to live in an apartment where everything is an all-in-one building? Do you like to drive yourself or is it important that your community has a shuttle service or easy access to public transportation?

Houston retirement communities can give you any kind of lifestyle you would like, so you can customize them to your needs and even change them as your life or health conditions change.