When you’re retired, the world opens up to you. You have more time to travel and explore your surroundings, yet sometimes that can feel like more of a challenge than it’s worth. After all, retirement communities are often located where few people live – but many local attractions or amenities are available nearby. If you’re feeling lonely or disconnected from the community around you, here are some ideas for making a retirement community feels like home:
Remain Active
There’s no better way to stay active than by participating in activities that keep your mind and body engaged. Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, joining a book club, or playing bingo with friends, there are countless ways for you to get involved. Furthermore, maintaining an active lifestyle has been well-documented: it can help ward off disease and cognitive decline while boosting mental health overall.
While it might seem like a daunting task at first glance—where do you even begin? —there are several ways to take advantage of these opportunities depending on what you’re looking for and what fits into your budget or schedule.
Take A Drive Around Town
You can also explore your new home by taking a drive around town. This is an easy and fun way to get acquainted with the area and find out where you might want to go on future visits. You might also want to include some other activities on this list:
- Going for a walk.
- Visiting the library or museum.
- Visiting the park or local shops.
- Eating at restaurants in your area and socializing at bars or clubs.
Decorate Your Room/Apartment
When you want to make your room or apartment feel like home, don’t be afraid to decorate! Your favorite colors and pictures of your family will do wonders in making your new living space more comfortable.
While decorating is often thought of as something that happens when you move into a new place, it’s never too late to start. Bring some of your favorite furniture pieces with you from home, whether they’re chairs, lamps, or couches—anything that gives off a comforting vibe can help make this unfamiliar place feel like a cozy retreat. If it makes sense for where you’re living now (and if there’s room), consider bringing art pieces and other decorations; even just adding one small thing can make all the difference. Also, consider bringing along books for reading material or knick-knacks that make your heart sing—the more personal touches there are around you, the easier it will be for new places to feel welcoming!
Take Advantage Of Amenities
You may be wondering what retirement apartment amenities are and why they’re so important. An amenity is anything that makes a place feel like home to you. It could be a pool, a gym, a library, a restaurant, or a beauty parlor. A movie theater or game room can also be considered an amenity. Even if your community doesn’t have any of these things listed above (or any other type of “amenity,” for that matter), there’s still plenty you can do to make it feel more like home!
Get Involved In Community Events
You’ll be able to meet people you might otherwise never have the chance to meet, and it will help you feel more connected with your community. You could volunteer for things like fundraising or organizing events, giving you a sense of purpose and meaning.
Conclusion
We hope this article has given you some good ideas for how you can make your retirement community feel like home. While there are many things to consider when transitioning into a new place, it’s important not to lose sight of what makes your current home special. By taking advantage of the opportunity to make small changes at every turn, you’ll find yourself surrounded by familiar items and feelings—and happier than ever!
