There was a time when the idea of a “retirement lifestyle” was a uniform experience. A few generations ago, for those lucky enough to reach age 65, the only real option was to live alone or move back in with your family. Retirement communities existed, but, they were expensive, restrictive and designed primarily for people with medical concerns.
The world is changing. Retirement communities are rethinking their services and making an attempt to appeal to a wider demographic. In addition, more people than ever in their 60s are choosing to find roommates or form their own shared living communities.
Personally, I’m a bit torn. On the one hand, I have always seen myself as an independent person. I like my space. On the other hand, I can appreciate the benefits of living in a community where you can meet new people and participate in activities with people who share your interests.
I’m curious what you think about this.
How would you describe your ideal retirement lifestyle? Do you want to prioritize your independence in retirement? Or do you like the idea of finding a roommate, joining a shared living community, or, perhaps even moving to a more structured retirement community?