As we journey through our lives, our living needs change. The apartment that is perfect when we’re single grows too small as we expand our families, and the spacious family home becomes more than we need when our kids grow up and move. Anticipating these kinds of changes and thinking about how your needs are likely to evolve over time can help you plan when and where to make your next move.
Whether you prefer a small apartment or a roomy townhouse, downsizing from your single-family home allows you to avoid some of the maintenance that a house requires as well as save more for retirement. Many townhouse and apartment communities also incorporate more amenities and social spaces than in the past, giving residents access to many special perks. It is becoming more common for modern communities to now offer amenities such as:
- Access to nature trails or other natural spaces
- Pet friendliness
- High-end appliances
- Clubhouses
- Game rooms
- Swimming pools
- Cafes
- Fitness centers (some offering organized classes)
- Business centers
Downsizing doesn't mean leaving the community or area you've grown to love. There are many townhome and apartment communities in Iowa's smaller towns, suburbs and in the heart of downtown.
55-and-Older Communities
A new concept sweeping the nation is 55-and-older communities. These are a great option for those in that age range who are looking to be on their own, without the maintenance of home upkeep, and are not quite ready to move into an option like assisted living. Hubbell Realty recently added this concept with Aventura, a 55-and-older for-sale condominium concept in West Des Moines. The homes range in square footage from 1,200-1,800 and is located in the popular Greenway Crossing neighborhood. This community will offer many things that you'd find in a multifamily living option:
- Craft rooms
- Carpentry workshop
- Car & dog wash
- Fitness room
- Outdoor terrace
- Library
- Conference rooms
As much as we would all like to hope that we’ll always be self-sufficient, life often has different plans. Making the decision to move to an assisted living community can be difficult. Not only is it hard to let go of one’s sense of independence, but moving can also mean leaving behind a neighborhood that you love. By thinking about assisted living before you need it, you will be able to seek out something in your area and have more power to choose where you may spend the next phase of your life.
Moving to an assisted living community is a positive step for many people. The community frees its residents from the burden of daily tasks such as laundry, housekeeping, and meal preparation, and it can also prevent the isolation that comes with loss of mobility. While it can be very difficult for home-bound seniors to get out and socialize, an assisted living community will facilitate social interaction. Services and amenities may include:
- Restaurant-style dining
- Libraries
- Barber/beauty salons
- Wellness programs and workout rooms
- Social recreational activities
- Private dining for family and guests
- Transportation
Of course, residents have access to medical personnel as well as trained staff who can assist with daily activities as needed. Some communities, like Hubbell's Edencrest communities, also offer memory care for residents suffering from dementia-related illness. Although you probably don’t anticipate this happening to you, research shows that one third of assisted living residents are diagnosed with some form of dementia . Choosing an assisted living community that provides memory care will help ensure that you or your loved one will not have to change homes yet again in the event the service is needed.
There are many options for you to choose, no matter your stage of life and Hubbell is here to help!
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