Long before she retired, Shirley often visited family at a nearby Holiday independent living community.
“It was so beautiful,” she recalled. “At the time I thought, ‘I could never afford to live here.’”
Years later when Shirley wanted to downsize after retirement, she remembered that community. This time, she put aside all assumptions.
“I did what a financial controller does – I ran the numbers,” she said.
It all adds up
As a financial controller, Shirley was responsible for tracking money in and money out, as well as interpreting the numbers for top management. She also managed annual budgets, which involved long-term planning.
“I liked understanding how everything fit together,” she said. “It’s about clarity and planning.”
Thanks to her background, Shirley was able to look beyond her first impressions and evaluate Holiday objectively. She compared the true cost of living at home with Holiday’s all-inclusive monthly rate. Her monthly mortgage bill was only part of the equation. She tallied utilities, maintenance, repairs, insurance, property taxes, yard work – all of it.
“The difference was slightly less for Holiday,” Shirley explained. “But the difference in the responsibility and stress of owning and maintaining a home versus living in a worry-free environment was extremely impressive.”
She also loved the idea of one easy, predictable monthly payment.
Quality of life: priceless
Beyond the price tag, Shirley recognized the immense added value of living at Holiday: the safety and security of a community environment, optional care services if needed and daily opportunities for social engagement.
Living alone in her home, Shirley always wore an emergency alert button, just in case. She was healthy and mobile but feared falling and hitting her head with no one around to help.
At Holiday, she knew neighbors would always be nearby. And if she needs support services like physical therapy, à la carte care is available on-site through third-party providers.
“The security, peace of mind and social opportunities were huge incentives.”
Add to that a full calendar of engaging events every month – classes, clubs, parties and outings – and the advantages of a Holiday lifestyle really stacked up.
Advice worth taking
Two weeks after comparing costs, Shirley moved in.
Today, she and her pooch, Gigi, are loving life at the warm, welcoming community. Shirley enjoys it so much she volunteers as a Resident Ambassador, touting the benefits of Holiday to prospective residents and helping newcomers feel at home.
“Change is difficult,” Shirley acknowledged. “But most people find they’re happier here once they settle in.”
Shirley suggests taking the time to compare your monthly costs with Holiday. Be sure to factor in the responsibility, upkeep and stress of home ownership. Then, weigh all of that against a maintenance-free lifestyle, built-in social opportunities and a secure, supportive environment.
“I found Holiday to be more than affordable; it affords you a better life.”
Can you afford retirement living at Holiday?
Locate a community near you and request a personalized consultation. There’s no obligation, and, chances are, you’ll walk away with a smile, knowing you’ve taken the first step toward a carefree – and affordable – retirement.
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