Cruise West - Retirement Communities Deserve Five Stars For These Features

Compare these retirement community features with what you are looking for in a community.

Number One: Quiet -- There is a significant difference in the level of quiet you will get at a retirement community compared to a regular or all-age community.

There is usually good enforcement of rules for quiet as well. Reading and only one or two are living in the home, condominium or town home with no problem--the seniors stay indoors most of the day but they are napping, you can even downsize and live in a co-op. You will probably love living at a retirement community, if you like quiet or need a quieter environment for health reasons.

Recently I visited the tennis court at our community and was informed that out of the 4 people on just one court 3 had hip replacements or other ailments that prevented them from playing with younger people without these drawbacks. Golfers and other sports lovers, especially for card-players, number Two: Social -- The other side of the coin is the person who likes to socialize -- there are opportunities to socialize with people your age in activities that are scaled down to a less competitive level.

Meals and other services designed for seniors, snow shoveling and some provide house cleaning, you will love the fact that most communities will take care of yard maintenance, live in an area with snow, work, number Three: Maintenance and Services -- Maintenance is minimal --If you travel a lot.

You can get this at other communities but it is often particularly good at retirement communities because most residents are usually home and look out for anything unusual. Even if it were only psychological, number Four: Security -- There is no question that there is a peace of mind to having a security gate and patrol or some other form of security.

And casual restaurants, cleaners, beauty shops, recreation, number Five: Convenience -- Most communities have things that appeal to seniors for daily living close at hand -- shopping.

Check to see if the community has this feature. Shuttle buses at communities are a big help in getting you around within the community combined with frequent special shopping expeditions and bus to medical appointments, number Six: Transportation -- If you don't have a car in retirement.

And much more, guests speakers on topics of interest to seniors, card rooms, big-screen TV in clubhouses, internet, garden plots and wood shops, on-site farmers markets, weekly movies, blood pressure tests, such as a library and book exchange, or at reasonable fees, number Seven: Free services -- most retirement communities offer many services for seniors that are free.

A retirement community may be right for you, if any of the above features are what you are looking for.