If you’re thinking about retirement or you’ve already made it past that milestone, you may be looking for a low-maintenance home to enhance your new lifestyle. New homes in retirement communities are designed to alleviate a lot of stress and responsibility, allowing you to enjoy this new phase. Here are a few things to plan for when searching for a retirement-friendly home:
Consider Location
Greenville is a large city, and some areas are more conducive to your new relaxed lifestyle. New home developments are growing in areas like Duncan, Simpsonville, and Piedmont, along with downtown Greenville.
You may want to be close to major highways or within walking distance of amenities. Fern Hollow is one of the most popular communities in the Greenville area with new townhomes being added. Tanglewood Townes community is another fast-growing area close to popular sections of the city.
Determine the Type of Housing
If you’re looking at new homes for retirement, you’ll want to decide whether you want a single-family home, a townhome, or a condo. In either case, you’ll likely want a single-story property to avoid stairs.
Many single-family homes include a garage along with two or three bedrooms, which will allow you to entertain friends and family and invite the grandkids to hang out. They also often come with a backyard, which is perfect if you like spending time outside or are planning to have a pet. There’s some upkeep with yard work, which you won’t need to worry about with a condo.
Examine the Amenities
You’ll find new homes in Greenville that offer amenities for retired couples. Look for living options that allow you to enjoy the beautiful scenery along with nearby restaurants, shopping, and other activities. Certain communities have pools, walking trails, pickleball courts, and more for people who like to stay active.
Other amenities to take into consideration include the proximity to hospitals, dining, parks, and shopping. Look for home options that are single-story because that may be easier for retirees to move around in. Some community amenities may also have outdoor fire pits for warm summer nights.
Consider a Smart Home
Many of these new communities are designed as smart homes with products to make your life simpler and safer. They are energy efficient with hands-free communication. You can use your smartphone with a single app to control your smart devices.
Everything is connected to a control panel using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, and cell connectivity. With a smart home, you can change the thermostat to warm or cool the house before you arrive. An alarm system will give you peace of mind when you’re away or sleeping.
You can feel even safer with SmartCode locks. Instead of fumbling for a key, you just enter the code of your choice. Skybell is another feature of a smart home with the ability for you to see who is at your door before you answer. You can even talk to them without opening the door.
Check the Warranty
Now that you’ve retired or nearing retirement, you don’t want to spend all your time taking care of your home. A warranty may help give you peace of mind. If something stops working, you don’t have to pay to have it repaired or do the work yourself. Just call an approved technician who will take care of the job for you.
A home warranty can prevent you from being stuck with major out-of-pocket expenses for repairs on furnaces, air conditioning systems, and more. Many of these warranties last for several years, so you don’t worry about replacing an expensive system.
Retirement-friendly New Homes
Not all retirement-friendly homes are found in retirement communities. You may find the perfect house in a mixed community with families, single professionals, and others. Many of these homes are designed for different stages of life with master bedrooms on the first floor, wide hallways and doorways, and other conveniences.
As you search for new homes in the Greenville area, consider many of the new communities being built close to shopping centers, restaurants, and more. Whether you’re looking for peace and quiet or an active lifestyle, you’ll find quality homes with all the right amenities and a fun neighborhood that you can call home for the next phase of your life.
