Retirement Living

Retirement living communities are typically restricted either to people over the age of 55, or over the age of 62. Restrictions in a 55+ community require at least one resident to be of the minimum age; other residents must be over 18. In a 62+ community, all residents must meet the age requirement.

Retirement living communities allow active adults to live in their own home and take part in a wide range of resident activities, from entertainment and exercise rooms to interest groups and cultural offerings in the area. Unlike CCRCs, however, retirement communities do not provide comprehensive care. Should health needs change in a CCRC, other living facilities within the community -- like nursing homes and assisted living -- can accommodate the resident's needs.

Find out if the living experience matches your needs, and see if there are any restrictions and rules to abide by. For example, can you customize your home or apartment; are pets allowed; and what kind of parking will be available near your home? Inquire about available storage space, shuttle services, and even if guest rooms are available for visitors.

Since the tenets of maintaining a good diet, exercising, and staying mentally active are pillars of many retirement living communities, it's no wonder many say that their environment attributes to their feelings of longevity and young at heart persona.