Looking to head to the midwest for retirement? Fort Wayne, Indiana is not to be overlooked. With its low cost of living and quiet neighborhoods, Fort Wayne is an excellent place to settle down. The area counts itself among the top 50 best places to live in the U.S., and it’s easy to see why.
As a midsize metropolitan area in the heart of the Midwest, people who choose Fort Wayne have access to the amenities one would expect to find in a large metropolis, like excellent entertainment options and a thriving arts scene. The city experiences all four seasons – meaning retirees can enjoy different types of activities all year round. Additionally, Indiana is considered to be tax-friendly for retirees, so you can expect to keep a good amount of your retirement income in your pocket.
Ready to get moving? Here’s an introduction to retirement communities and other senior living options in the Fort Wayne area:
What is a Retirement Community?
Retirement communities, also known as “55-plus” or “active adult” living communities, are planned neighborhoods designed specifically to meet the needs and preferences of people 55 years of age or older. Retirement communities strive to be safe, convenient and enjoyable.
You can find all types of different homes in active adult communities, including single-family homes, condominiums, and apartments. To allow retirees to age in place safely, the floor plans of these home types usually reflect “universal design” principles – meaning they have senior-friendly amenities. Features of universal design-style homes ordinarily include no-step entryways, wider hallways to accommodate a wheelchair, and walk-in bathtubs with balancing rails.
Life in a Retirement Community Has Major Upside
Moving into a 55-plus community is a great choice for any retiree who wants to stay active and have fun enjoying their golden years without having to take care of a home and property fully on their own. Some of the common home maintenance tasks that the management of an active adult living community assumes responsibility for include:
- Common area maintenance
- Exterior building maintenance, including snow removal
- Sewer maintenance
- Roof maintenance
- Pest extermination, if needed
- Limited replacement cost coverage insurance
The benefits of living in a retirement community go beyond home maintenance. 55-plus living communities usually offer a slew of amenities intended to make your Golden Years as fun, happy and healthy as possible. Such amenities could include:
- Swimming pools
- Fitness centers
- Recreational activities
- Retiree happy hours in a community clubhouse
- Organized outings
- Gated security for enhanced safety
Spend Time Visiting Your Top Contenders
Choosing where you’ll spend your retirement is no small decision – you need to be willing to put in the research and ask the right questions. In reality, most retirement communities look amazing on a website or in a brochure – so the best way to know if a community is the right fit for you is to go visit. Tour a model home, check out the amenities for yourself, and explore the community as a whole in person. Do the people that live there seem happy and friendly? Are shared community spaces clean and well-kept? How do the lawns look? Investing the time in this research process will ultimately help you choose a community that is truly perfect for you.
Explore Other Senior Living Options in Fort Wayne
Retirement communities can be an amazing choice for older adults, but they might not be the best fit for everyone. If you have – or think you will have – health issues or mobility limitations that could affect your ability to live independently while staying safe, consider choosing an assisted living facility instead. An assisted living facility can provide peace of mind in the form of health monitoring and 24-hour access to specialized staff that can assist you with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, managing your medications, keeping up with general housework, and moving around your living space safely. If this seems like a good fit for you, you’ll be relieved to know that there are many highly-rated communities in the Fort Wayne area from which to choose.
Ready to Get Started?
Researching and selecting the best retirement home for your needs and preferences does not have to be a complicated or drawn-out process. In fact, with a qualified and professional realtor by your side, it can be enjoyable and exciting. Get in touch with Indiana Home Experts today to begin your journey of finding your dream home!