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Entering a new chapter of life can come with more free time for new adventures, hobbies, connecting with friends, and making new ones. Does this remind you of another phase in your life? One with other people enjoying the same phase in their life, potentially experiencing more free time while adapting to a new environment? If you were thinking of either a sleep-away camp or a college dorm experience, we are thinking of the same thing! Moving into an active adult community is an uncannily similar experience to an adult dorm experience, and we wanted to share our perspective with you.
Let’s address the elephant in the room, doubt!
At first, you might even doubt that you will enjoy this new environment, there are so many new faces, how will I remember them all? Remember that everyone goes through this phase and it is ok and normal to ask someone their name if you have forgotten.
You might get turned around in your new community because we ALL get turned around in new places, whether 10 years old, 20, or even 57 years old. New is new and getting a bit turned around is normal and a great experience to create new neural-pathways, which the NIH has found is actually healthy for you and your brain!
What do I do with my new found free time?
In an active adult community, residents are truly the captain of their own ship and have the choice to start their own clubs, join some events already planned, and be encouraged to get out and about in their greater community. You always have friends in your community to pregame spend time with and encourage you to show up for that fitness class that you most likely wouldn’t make if they weren’t going. Do you have a passion that you want to share with others? Share it! Plan that event that you always wanted to but maybe needed a larger space or more assistance in organizing it. While you do have your own home to enjoy and entertain in, there is always a friendly face doing something, somewhere in the community as well.
But now, The Why. Why was dorm life so fun? Let’s reflect!
It’s in our DNA to build relationships and connect with others. Relationships and friendships are basic human needs, and communities play an essential role in helping us create those connections.
Sharing experience is valuable, just like Albert Schweitzer once said, “Happiness is the only thing that multiplies when you share it.” We believe in the simple math of more shared experiences equals more happiness!
A study conducted in the UK found that verbalizing happiness increased and sustained participants' well-being well beyond simply having the experience. This is a quick reminder to continue to talk about all of that fun you are having too!
Your Environment Impacts Your Health
Not many people associate health and well-being with housing and community, but they should! Your environment directly affects your personal health and 55+ communities are designed for adults who want to continue to live their best and healthiest life as long as possible. That is also our goal too!
Little did you know how extensive socialization impacts our mental and physical health. Socializing is one of the critical factors in healthy living. In our previous blog, we listed everything you need to know about the health benefits of socializing.
A Common Purpose
Just like college, some people do enjoy taking classes virtually, but most go for the in-person experience. We are social beings that crave face-to-face interaction and the energy that comes from being around others.
Did you know that 55 and older adults are part of the age group that most often feels lonely. When you live in a community more barriers to socialization are removed to mitigate this dilemma. According to research, a greater sense of belonging is associated with better health, longevity, improved psychological well-being, and quicker recovery following disease. All of that sounds good to us.
Lastly, don’t forget the PERKS of dorm life!
Like your college living experience, everything is all set up for your own success! Living in a 55+ Active Adult Community means you will never need to mow the lawn, find a plumber to fix a problem, or even paint the walls. You must keep your own space decently clean, sorry, it is part of the lease, but that is about it! Free yourself from the days of missing out on friends at your fingertips and the daily burdens of being a homeowner. Choose a community designed to make your day-to-day living as fun and maintenance-free as possible.
Thank goodness there are no more “Resident Advisors” in an active adult community, but you do have neighbors that are concerned if you miss out on too many karaoke nights or pep rally happy hours. It is nice to be living in a place where your neighbors do look after you.
Just as your University had extra resources to assist you in your day-to-day life, your Active Adult Living Community should too! At our Arden communities, we are plugged into our maintenance-free communities and full of recommendations and even discounts for restaurants, doctors, and local adventures. The only thing that our community doesn’t have is a meal plan, and that is deliberate because no one liked them in college, and post-college, they are even less popular!
Now that you are excited about your own personal back-to-school move and understand how your move into a 55+ active living community is just like living in the dorm, all you have to worry about is what game to watch on the community’s big screen!