Bernie Stephan, Eco Realty - Downsizing Your Home for Retirement

If this is you, condo or apartment living would make a fantastic choice—especially if you’re looking for a sense of community without moving into senior housing or an official retirement community. Living in close proximity to your neighbors means there is ample opportunity to meet new people—and even try new activities. You can easily walk down the hall to drop by and say hello, catch up over a cup of tea, ask for an ingredient you’re missing for dinner, play a game of cards, go out for a nice stroll, or take up a new leisurely activity together. Nearby neighbors are also handy for things like feeding your cat or watering your plants when you’re away, or keeping on hand a set of spare keys. These are all much easier and more convenient to do in a condo or apartment than if you lived in a house.

5. You can take advantage of amenities.

Many condo complexes and apartment buildings include access to fantastic amenities, akin to what you might find in some hotels. Think game rooms, party rooms, swimming pools, fully equipped gyms and wellness centers, tennis or basketball courts, and club houses. Some more upscale options include libraries, rooftop pools and hot tubs, rooftop terraces, outdoor kitchen facilities, and concierge services. Upscale amenities alone can attract downsizers who want to live a relaxed, leisurely lifestyle. These extra amenities can be included in the price of purchasing or renting the unit—or will be included in a monthly HOA fee. It’s important to find out if there are any additional costs before you buy or sign a lease, and also to check whether those amenities are regularly maintained. Also, if these types of amenities are important to you, make sure you do your research to find out which condos and/or apartments within your budget offer the ones that are most appropriate and realistic for your

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