Adult Communities

by Darrin DeRoches July 29 - August 4, 2010

I had the strange pleasure of showing my aunt a couple of different options for her retirement home purchase. She is about to retire and return home from abroad.   The first home we viewed was a lovely townhouse in an older part of Ancaster.  Before we looked at the property we had our doubts due to curb appeal.  Once we got inside the townhome, everything changed.  It was a lovely two bedroom end unit with a private garden and all the updates.  It looked like we may have found the perfect home right off the bat.  We then went to a freehold townhouse which was priced right, well appointed and in a lovely neighbourhood.      Then, we ventured to a true “adult community.” These communities consist of townhouses, condo apartments or free standing units which share a central community center that has facilities like a pool, tennis courts, putting greens, and social events like line dancing nights and cards. Sounds like a lovely place to live within a community of people in the same age group and and with the same interests.  There are even weekly bus trips to the casino. Sign me up!  We viewed two different communities and they both had their advantages.  Locations, amenities, price – everything lined up perfectly.  Now the decision: adult community or independent living?     As we drove back in the limo we started to talk about the different things the properties had to offer.  The pool was great, but how often would you use it?  Line dancing was appealing (for my aunt, not me), the monthly costs and the price to buy were  almost the same, so which way should she go?      This was not only her challenge, but mine also.  I view my aunt as a young, vibrant retiree.  Her mother lived well into her 80s – she has a good 20 years ahead of her.  She was concerned she would not want to move again. So which way should she go?     My major stumbling blocks with the adult communities is just that: community.  As a widow she can gain new friends and have the support of the community.  But what if you do not like those who live in this adult community? There is the pool and the putting green, but you can always join the local pool.  Line dancing and the casino?  Bus trips are happening every day regardless of where you live.  I had to explain the community may be great, but if she were to buy the townhouse, she can walk to the pool, banks, shopping, trails, and more.  The community is all around her!     So it came down to having to move again.  I cannot tell the future, but when the time comes where one must either go into assisted living or a hospital, that is the final move. So I would lean towards living in the community she has always enjoyed, join groups and go on bus trips.  Walk to the local store and forge new interests and activities.  She has to make the life decision on her real estate purchase and I can only help her through the questions and concerns.  Real estate is more than just a place to call home; it is a community and a lifestyle which fits you best. One must take the time to understand the real decisions in real estate. V Darrin DeRoches is a local real estate and mortgage broker. He can be reached to answer questions, comments or stories about real estate experiences through this weekly column at mail@uniquerealty.ca.