Would you prefer retirement community to owning your own home?? Please advise ??Yahoo Questions?

Question

We are home owners. I am 76, hubby 81.He wants to stay in home forever & that sounds great, but no matter where I sit in the house or yard, I'm looking at something I should be doing. I am not able to do what I once could do.I feel we are neglecting more & more & its sad & depressing. I would appreciate any suggestions you may have. Thank you so much.~~~Jill

We have checked out the places in West Houston and know our choices. We are having lunch at one this week.

Appreciate these wonderful answers.
Just need to know what your choice would be ?? Thanks So Much

I have a 6 lb. toy fox terrior & live in the city of Houston, Texas

Answer 1

Just like anything, there are good and bad things about both. One thing my Mother-in-law hated was that she couldn't plant any flowers or be free to do what she wanted to with the yard.

There are handymen in the phone book, who will repair about anything for a price. Landscape companies will take care of the yard for you.

If you are at the point that you don't feel like you want to or that you can't live at your house, then it is time to move.

I'm not sure about Houston, but I have been fortunate enough to tour a retirement community in S. Jersey. It was great, for retired people. It was totally fenced, but they were hidden and didn't stand out. There were only 2 entrances into the place and they were manned 24 hrs a day. There was also security cameras on every intersection. If any workmen came into the place, they were watched, to be sure that they went where they said they were going. Each duplex, had an emergency button, for help if needed. There were activities at the clubhouse all day, there was also a medical staff on the premises 24/7. It was a condo complex, very clean, well kept, and secure. The residents also had a small patch of land in the back yard that they were free to plant a garden, or flowers, or whatever they wanted to do.

It was an excellent place to live. The lady whose condo we were bidding work on, must have had at least 8 phone calls from neighbors and friends wanting her to attend different functions at the community center at the complex.

Good luck, and I hope you can find something like this for your retirement years.

Answer 2

The fee's associated with the retirement home living can get pretty expensive. If it costs 300 a month in fees.. you have to ask yourself what you could hire someone to do around your own home for the same price. There's no shame in hiring someone to do even the smallest of things.. that's essentially what the retirement housing does.. but you're skipping a middle man by hiring your own guy. Find a trustworthy teen to come by on a regular schedule and pay him a decent 8 or 9 bucks an hour. Keep a list of choirs going and give it to him. You'll find that it's a whole lot more fun sometimes to simply put something on a list than it is to have to do it all yourself! :) This is your retirement, you only get one... enjoy it! The good Lord will be putting us all to work soon enough (not a bad thing). If you've got plenty and really really want the retirement community.. then go for it. Perhaps you could stay in your home until your husband isn't able to be there any longer.. and then make the move. Whatever the decision is, have peace. This whole setup.. no matter where it is.. is very temporary. Keep looking forward.

Answer 3

I always thought I would see my grandkids play in the same yard as their parents did and sleep in their old rooms. I always thought I would be there intil I died. I was a mother at 17 and have lived in that house for 28years. Ive held on to it through divorce, job loss, mental breakdown and bankruptcy. My fiance found a job in Dallas I followed but only lasted for six months. I felt at the time I could not part with that much of my history and memories so I held on to the house. I moved to a different part of Wyoming but I kept the house even though it was empty. After 2 years I moved back but realized it was just a building and I could make my memories any where I was with the people who loved me. Its on the market now and I still have days when I wonder but if I want to visit the kids and grandkids and be with my future husband (he stuck with me and now has a job in Wyo again but in different part) I can be in a place where I dont have to worry about the yard or painting or the plumbing or how Im going to afford that new heater. I can find a place with a yard for my dog and hang the things that make it a home to my kids and grandkids. I know Im not going into a retirement center for a few years but I know the toll it takes making the decision. Maybe you and your hubby will have more times for the little things that are the things that matter the most

Answer 4

How about a condo in an assisted living retirement community? It has the best of all worlds. You own the place and live independently. There is no maintenance or yard work to worry about as someone takes care of that for you.

Should you need nursing care or anything like that, people are right there whenever you need them. It could be full-time care or just a daily visit. There are many options here.

There are many of these in warmer areas, too.

Not to mention many other retirement-age folks nearby, too. You can make friends or keep to yourselves. There are also shops, activities, clubs and hobby outlets as well.

Whatever you do, I wish you the very best in everything.

Answer 5

I've got my spot staked out in the old soldiers home when I'm not able to do the things I want to do anymore. I've been there and it's a beautiful place. I think retirement communities have a lot to offer. But it's all a personal choice love and nobody but you and hubby can decide. have a little chat with hubby and God. Together. He'll help you make the right decision.

Answer 6

Considering the price of a retirement community, you would save money to stay in your home and hire someone to do necessary maintenance.

Things like yard mowing can be done by a local teenager who needs to earn a little money. (He/she probably won't do quite as good a job as you would have done yourself, but be patient with them. Also be sure you are paying the prevailing wage.)

If you move to a retirement community you will have less space so you will have to part with a lot of your possessions.

Also you will be living in close proximity to a lot of new neighbors-- which could be good but could also be bad.

Once you move into a retirement community, it isn't likely you will move back into a home of your own. So check out the retirement community carefully before you commit to moving there.

Answer 7

You didn't say if you live in town or in country. Do you have a dog or cat? What age are your grand children? Do you have near by neighbors? Are you close to medical facility? Is public transportation available or somone to drive you to run errands All these things you must consider. My husband and I are going to be facing the same situation not too far down the road. We both want to be indpendent for as long as possible. He wants to stay here for ever. So we will hire somone to keep the property up and to help us manage. We are rather private and both enjoy are privacy. No rules to obey, free to make our own choices. Just being independent.
My Mother inlaw has been in a nursing home for three years and she hates it. She was in assisted living for one year and that wasn't so bad but nursing homes are the pitts. They treat her well but it's so depressing there. My husband really hates to visit and swears no one will ever put him there. Says he will shoot himself before he would let that happen. Not to mention the cost! We had no choice but to place her in the home as she is bed ridden and virtually helpless, she is 96 years old. My Dad died 3 months ago and my siblings put my Mother in assisted living. She and Dad were living independly in a apartment up until he fell and broke his hip and complications killed him. Mom really resents being put where she is. She was managing quite well where she was but they wisked her into the home before she knew what happened. We live over 700 miles away so I couldn't be of much help. By the time I found out what they did she was already in the home. They had my Dad creamated, services held with out telling me. When I called and asked when the services were I was told it was to be 7:00 that night. I was shocked to say the least. I could not imagine why they did this? It was because they wanted to put Mom in this place and they were afraid I would put a stop to it. So I really feel being independent is the way to go as long as you can. I guess some retirement communties are ok as long as you have lots of money, but not for me.
Good luck on what ever you decide and God Bless.~~~Liz

Answer 8

Do you have children/grandchildren etc. that visit frequently? Is your current home the home where your children were raised? If so, maybe you better get thier input.
My parents are in thier mid 60s and still live in the same house I was raised in. They have considered moving but feel very attached to the house and I have to admit I would feel a sense of loss if they moved. I know my sibs feel the same. When I visit, it is still home to me! Personally I don't like the atmosphere in a retirement community. Everyone seems so uptight and they certainly don't enjoy visiting children.

Answer 9

There are many communities that are AWESOME for elderly people. It doens't have to be viewed like a " nursing home." Many of them are like resorts! They do your yard work for you, house/ room repairs, depending on the community you live in. There is one near me that is condos and patio homes. They have onsite hair salon, golf course, mini-mart! Some of them are like mini cities and have all sorts of community get togethers and functions that can bring like aged people together! Good luck... and remember, you still got a lot of life in you! Don't give up!

Answer 10

I would prefer a much larger metro retirement community over a small one. I'll tell you why: more to do. I wouldn;'t own a house but a small apartment. Becouse I would want to have something for my grandkids to do. Small retirement communitiies like say Vicksburg Ms don';t offer much to retirees nor kids to do.