Nashville 55+ Communities

One of the good things about getting older is that you get to focus on the things you love doing. The Nashville area has 18 communities that can take care of housekeeping, maintenance, and other things that you might not want to do. However, before you move in, you should explore your options.

How much do 55+ communities cost in Nashville?

The actual price of living in a 55+ community can vary significantly from place to place. Since most retirement communities provide extra amenities, they usually cost a little more than regular rentals. SeniorAdvisor is a great place to get detailed pricing, descriptions, and independent reviews of all the 55+ communities in Nashville.

The average price for a Nashville apartment rental in December 2015 was $1,246. One-bedroom apartments are noticeably cheaper at $1053. A two-bedroom apartment was $1,350 per month in December 2015.

How to pay for 55+ living

Many people wonder how they will afford to pay for 55+ communities after they retire. Unfortunately, you probably cannot rely on Medicaid or long-term care insurance since they are typically reserved for home health care. Still, you have a few options to consider.

If you have saved enough for retirement, then you can rely on your savings to pay for your new apartment. You may also want to sell your current house. Many retirees choose to downsize since they don’t need room for children. This provides a quick source of money that can potentially pay for several years in a 55+ community.

Some people choose to find roommates to split rent with. Instead of living in a one-bedroom apartment, you could get a two-bedroom apartment and split the rent with another person. Before you do this, however, you will want to check with the retirement community. Not all of them will allow this. You will also want to spend a few weeks living with your prospective roommate to make sure it’s a suitable arrangement.

What to look for in a retirement community

It’s always a good idea to talk to your friends about their experiences with different retirement communities. You can also read online reviews and visit communities to help you decide which ones are right for you.

Before you spend time visiting facilities, though, you should make a list of your priorities. This will help ensure that you choose a community that matches your needs and concerns. It often helps to break your list into the following categories so you can approach each assessment strategically:

The basics

Most of Nashville’s retirement communities include some basic amenities in your rental price. It’s common for communities, for instance, to provide meal plans. A meal plan is a good option because it lets you eat at the on-site restaurant without worrying about the price of each meal. A meal plan, however, may not cover everything, so you should ask for details about what the plans pay for.

Other basics that you may want to think about include:

Group transportation to shopping and medical centers

Pet policies

On-site security

On-site support staff

The extras

Independent living communities may also offer some extra amenities that will make life easier for you and other residents. These options can vary significantly between communities, so you will want to ask about each one. Some extra amenities that you may want to look for include:

Art classes

Fitness classes

On-site exercise facilities

Garden plots

Dog parks

Golf courses

Covered parking

Free Wi-Fi

On-site massage therapy

On-site nutritionist

The neighborhoods

If you plan to drive less during your retirement, then you should choose a neighborhood that is highly walkable. Retirement communities in these neighborhoods will make it easier for you to walk to nearby stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Some of Nashville’s best neighborhoods include East Nashville, Belmont, Sylvan Park, and Wedgewood. You can learn more about Nashville’s neighborhoods here.

The future

Your needs will likely change as you get older. Unless you plan to move again in a few years, you should look for a retirement community that can meet your future needs as well as your present ones. For instance, you may eventually want to live in a community with an on-site nursing staff. If you have a family history of dementia, then you may want to look for a place where you can visit counselors regularly. Your needs will vary depending on your concerns and interests, so think about what you can expect for yourself in the future and try to plan accordingly.