It can be both exciting and cause you to be anxious when you transition into a seniors condo living community. Leaving your current home to a new place means leaving memories and comforts you are used to. Yet it can be the start of new friendships, enjoying activities the condo building offers, and reducing maintenance of a home and yard.

transitioning to seniors condo

It is a challenging decision for most couples or singles, but it is worth considering. There are pros and cons, and there is a lot of change involved. The final decision is based on factors including budget, ability to take care of yourself, how much space you need, and where the senior condo is located. Each condo building can have different bylaws and amenities available to residents. It is vital to check on what is offered to determine the best place to move into for a senior living community.

Do your best to settle in by unpacking and decorating your condo. Some familiar pictures you love, or your favourite artwork in your new living space will help you feel good about the change. Check out the various activities and get to know people living in your building. It is time to expand your circle and try something new. It is time to engage in activities you enjoy and spend time relaxing.

Incorporate your hobbies and some of your previous routines; it is just taking place in a new environment. Keep yourself busy and engaged. Don’t settle into your new condo and be alone. While you don’t want to feel overwhelmed or overexert yourself, plan something to do each day that gets you out of your unit and interacting with others.

Living in this community can be good for your physical and mental well-being. Too often, we only focus on the physical elements, but there is more to us as humans than that! A senior condo living community offers fun activities for physical health. You can find a buddy to walk in the park or go to the gym with. If there is a swimming pool, you can enjoy spending time with other residents.

Playing board games, reading books, and participating in other fun activities will keep your mind healthy. Not only does it boost the mood, but it can improve memory. As we get older, we can struggle with brain fog, slower processing, and the onset of memory loss. Taking part in the many activities a senior condo offers is an excellent way to stay physically and mentally strong.

Embrace The Changes

Your mindset is important when you transition into a senior condo living community. Take your time to determine whether this is the best choice for you. If you live alone or it is just you and a partner, it can be time to embrace the changes. Secure a place you can afford and one offering plenty of perks you will enjoy. You don’t want to feel isolated, and that isn’t going to happen in a senior living community.

Tour various condo buildings to see what is offered. This allows you to compare them to each other. While many of them have similar features, there can be differences that grab your attention. There can be certain perks you like more than others, and it makes sense you would be inclined to move to a condo offering those perks.

Ask lots of questions, so you know what to expect. Try to visit during the day and on the weekend so you can find out how much noise you hear from surrounding condos. Most seniors are relatively quiet, but you don’t want to move into a place with thin walls where you worry everyone around you hears your movements. Likewise, you want peace and quiet, not to be bothered by what other residents do in their units.

Start your search early so you have time to get information, compare offers, and think about the next steps. You don’t have to be in a rush to sell your current home or buy the first senior living condo available. Ensure it is a good fit, and if you need help with all of the information, get an excellent real estate agent and family member to go through it with you. Their input can help you make those crucial decisions once you have all the facts.

Let your friends and current neighbours know you will be moving. Make sure you have the phone numbers and other details for those you wish to stay in contact with. You may be used to talking to them in the front yard or going over. Hopefully, you can maintain those friendships in your new place. Once you get settled, invite them to come over and see your condo!

Your friends and family can be a great support system as you make this change in your life. They can help you declutter and downsize, assist with exploring possible condos to move into and look over your budget with you. Their encouragement can help you feel confident in your decision. They can assist with planning, which will reduce stress. Continue to spend time with friends and family once you move to the senior condo building. This routine and familiarity will help you get accustomed to your new living situation.

Want to receive my weekly Winnipeg market update? I give market insight, trends, house sold prices and other import housing information, FREE. Just enter your info below.

* indicates required

Intuit Mailchimp

Emotional Attachments

If you spent decades in a home, your emotional attachment to the place is understood. You may have fond memories of bringing home your babies from the hospital, and they grew up in that home. Now they are adults, but you still smile when you think about those days. Work through those emotions so they don’t discourage you from a fantastic opportunity.

It can be hard to admit you can’t take care of your home like you used to by yourself. The yard work and other maintenance are too much. Transitioning to a senior condo living situation is a way to remain independent but reduce the effort needed to get things done. With a condo setting, you just have to take care of the inside of your unit. The outside maintenance is all done for you and covered by your condo fees.

If you feel anxious or depressed about moving, talking to a friend or a professional can help you work through your emotional conflict. On one hand, you may know logically it is the best move for you. On the other hand, letting go of a place you have called home for many years isn’t always easy.

When you look forward to this new adventure without worry or regret, you can focus on the memories you will make. This doesn’t mean you can’t ever miss the home you once lived in or reflect on those memories. It means you are ready to embark on this new chapter of your life with an open mind and unlimited possibilities.

Location

Select a location you will be happy with! It should be close to places you like to visit and explore. It should offer you easy access to public transportation or a parking garage for your vehicle. Getting to the doctor, the grocery store, restaurants, and other places shouldn’t be difficult or time-consuming. Look for a prime location to enjoy what the building offers and easily reach outside needs and wants as you desire.

What amenities does the condo building offer? Many of them can be perks you are looking forward to. They can save you time and money, too. For example, if you have a gym membership, you can cancel that if your new place will have a gym on-site. Plus, you don’t have to spend time going there; you can conveniently reach it in just a few minutes. You can go to the gym when it is warm outside or cold; you don’t have to skip it due to the weather.

Many of the amenities can help you feel welcome in this new environment. They are convenient, but they also allow you to meet other seniors living in the building. You can engage in different activities with them. Sharing common interests is a great way to develop friendships. Location combined with the amenities you want is a great combination and will help you enjoy living in your condo to the fullest.

Cost Of A Seniors Community In Winnipeg

Living in a condo is less expensive than a large home. If your house is too big for your needs, money is being wasted on utilities, upkeep, and you could have costly repairs due to the age of your home. Transitioning into a senior condo living community can save you money each month. If you cover the condo unit in full with the sale of your home, you will just have condo fees each month.

If you have a mortgage on the place, that is in addition to the condo fees. Evaluating how much it will cost you each month is essential. You don’t want to struggle to cover your expenses. Condo fees depend on the age of the building, square footage, location, and other variables. All of the costs have to be disclosed to a potential buyer.

Be mindful of insurance, too, as you should consider additional insurance beyond what the condo corporation offers. That coverage is only for the building, not any of your contents. It can give you peace of mind to buy additional insurance to cover what you have inside. Ask to see the reserve funds report; it must be within the last five years. This can give insight about any potential high cost repairs or replacements the building will need. If the reserve fund is too low, each condo unit owner has to pay additional costs.

Some condos for seniors have utilities included, and that can help with budgeting for the monthly costs. Others are separate, and the residents of each unit pay for what they use. If that is the case, find out their average so you aren’t surprised when you get those bills. If they are included, what is the cost per month you pay to cover them?

Always read the bylaws for any condo you wish to live in, especially for seniors. You should be happy with your environment and all it entails. Bylaws are designed for safety and harmony among the residents of a senior condo building. The goal is to find a senior living facility you can afford and with plenty of social engagements. At the same time, it should have amenities and perks you enjoy. The bylaws should be policies you can agree to without feeling as if your freedom is too restricted.

Selling or Renting Your Current Property

For many seniors, the transition can only occur once they have a plan for their current property. They may be selling it to use the money to buy a condo in an adult living community. Others keep their home, rent it out, and use that monthly income to cover their expenses. It depends on the real estate market, equity, and other variables. Each situation is different, and the occupants must decide what to do for their best interests.

If moving to a senior living community is contingent on selling the home they are in now, it can be a waiting game. They need a solid offer on the place to make an offer on a condo. In the meantime, they can gather information about potential condos and their bylaws. They can evaluate costs and location, creating a shortlist of places that would be a good match for them to move to.

Before you put your home on the market or rent it out, this can be the ideal time to downsize and declutter. Get rid of items you won’t take to a senior living condo. This can be extra furniture, clothing, household items, collectibles, and anything else you won’t have space for with your new accommodations. Start early so you don’t feel rushed or overwhelmed. You can give items away to people you know, donate them, or sell them.