When you hit that age when you're considered a senior, some new housing options will open up for you. If you're still independent and don't need anything like assisted living, then age-restricted communities and independent living are both good options for you. There are some distinct differences, and what you hope to have in your future living situation will help guide you to the right choice.

You Just Need Lower Rents and Maybe Some Group Transportation

If you're just trying to budget using a senior or fixed income, and you'd like a place that might have occasional group transportation, an age-restricted community may be all you have to look for. These are regular apartment complexes where the apartments are built more for seniors (e.g., grab bars already installed in the shower), the rent may be lower and may require an income limit, and management is more aware that tenants could suddenly need help. You can find these complexes all over your city; the age limits start usually at 55 or 62, so you can search for terms like "55+" on your usual online housing sites.

You're Looking at the Long-Term and Your Care Needs

You may be independent now, but if you sense that in the future you may not be so independent or if you're just trying to cover all your bases, independent living could be perfect for you if you find a place that is closely linked to facilities for more advanced forms of care. Note that these facilities may be in separate locations or all on one campus, where you would basically move from one building to another as your care needs change. But being in independent living gives you the options of having closer monitoring (such as, if you're fairly solitary, management may check up on you more if you want) and becoming familiar with the community before you reach a stage where you're dependent on people.

You Do/Don't Need Meals and Other Services Provided

Because independent living is usually associated with additional assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care facilities, those in the independent living section may still have access to community dining rooms and other services that the facility provides for residents. Senior apartments that are just age-restricted communities will function more like traditional apartments, where management maybe has a community barbecue a couple of times a year, but other than that, people are pretty much on their own unless they purposely arrange for someone to come to the complex and help them with something.

As you get older, you may need more help with daily living activities. You have to gauge how independent you can truly be and find housing that meets your needs. 

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