Planning for Retirement: Considerations for a Retirement-Friendly Home

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are more than 54 million people aged 65 or older – roughly 16 percent of the nation’s population.

While a number of older adults will transition into some form of ‘assisted-living’ situation, some will choose to spend their later years in their own homes for as long as they can. Instead of looking for nursing homes, they will search for new houses for sale in Corpus Christi that offer them the capacity to stay independent.

If you are planning for retirement, you are most likely wondering about important considerations for a retirement-friendly home. Read on.

Location

Location is key to any real estate search. This includes medical providers, proximity to family members, grocery stores, and hospitals. Consider your hobbies and interests. For instance, if you like to cycle or are fond of taking hikes or walks, does the area have a good system of paths and trails? If you are not fond of and cannot tolerate cold temperatures, is the climate mild? If you enjoy watching sporting events, shows, or concerts, does the area provide venues for recreation? Think about the activities that enhance your quality of life and visualize how you plan to spend your time.

Finances

Moving to a place with less expensive housing and cost of living will naturally make a lot of sense. Take into account other important factors too, like association fees, taxes, and insurance. Do your homework and plan ahead. Will you seek part-time or full-time work or will you be fully retired? What will your retirement income be? Do you need to supplement with a job? It’s always a good idea to consult with an estate or financial planner.

Architectural features

Like Hogan Homes, there are some home builders who incorporate features that are ‘retirement-ready’ into the homes that they build. These include one-level living, wider doorways, ‘paddle’ style levers vs. traditional door knobs, and non-slip flooring. If a form of assistance like a home health aide is needed at some point, does the house have an extra room that could be devoted to live-in help?

Opportunities for socialization

A feeling of contribution and usefulness to the community and a sense of connection is important, especially to older adults. It pays to check out avenues for making social contacts like volunteer opportunities.

These considerations for a retirement-friendly home, coupled with a blueprint for the type of life they intend to lead and a plan in mind will help older adults feel more independent and happier with their lifestyle.

Hogan Homes has been building quality homes in Corpus Christi that have lasting value. Discover why there is something special about living in a coastal town in South Texas by checking out our neighborhoods and model homes.

Sources:

“2000 National Population Projections: Summary Tables,” United States Census, https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=s0103
“Retirement Homes: What You Should Prioritize First,” Entrepreneur, https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/retirement-homes-what-you-should-prioritize-first/419414
“11 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Retirement Community,” Arbor Company, https://www.arborcompany.com/blog/11-factors-to-consider-when-choosing-a-retirement-community