When you’re in a senior living community you really like, scaling back your living space is achievable because so many services and amenities are already provided. The maintenance-free lifestyle of a senior apartment home can be tremendously liberating. You get to choose a new future that includes:
At Aberdeen Ridge, these perks of independent living are just across your threshold in a neighborhood setting.
You’re probably asking yourself, “How many square feet do I need?” When you’re used to a bigger home or have lived in one place for a while, it can be hard to estimate how much square footage you may need for a phase of life that’s yet unknown to you. A good way to start is to establish an approximate budget, and how much time you’ll be spending inside your new senior apartment home. You should also consider the kind of floor plan you’re used to or one you think you’d prefer, and how you intend to use the overall space.
National averages state that a small home is anything less than 1,000 square feet. A medium-sized home falls within the range of 2,500 square feet. You may have a certain square footage in mind when you start looking at senior apartments, but you’ll probably revise this number depending on how the floor plan is laid out. This is because different layouts greatly affect how square footage is divided. For example, when you compare two floor plans of equal sizes, one floor plan may have more square footage allocated to the kitchen than the master bedroom, and the other may have more square footage allocated to the master bedroom than the kitchen.
Open plan designs also change the functionality of your rooms. For example, a kitchen and dining space merged into one large area may measure less in square footage than the master bedroom but provide more flexibility for how you want to live.
This is where self-evaluation is key. Do you intend to cook at home or entertain regularly? A larger kitchen and dining area would be more practical, and you may favor an open plan design so you can better communicate with people in the apartment. If you intend to spend most of your time traveling, then you might not need a full kitchen or an overly large living space.
A good rule of thumb for storage is that your total storage space should be around 10% of the total square footage. As a rough guide, if you’re choosing a 1,000-square-foot senior apartment, there should be about 100 square feet of space allocated for storage.
Do you have a hobby with supplies, equipment or other items that will take up space? Whether you’re into quilting, golf, wine collecting or another pastime, consider how you’ll integrate it into your home. It might be more cost-efficient to rent a small storage unit off-site than pay for a senior apartment too large for your daily needs.
Even the most devoted couples need their own personal space from time to time. It can make sense to share a bedroom but have an additional room for a home office, craft or hobby area, or to host a sleepover for the grandkids. Whether you’ll be sharing the senior apartment with a loved one, or living on your own, this is the time to decide whether a bonus room is a “nice to have” or a “need to have.” Bear in mind that most senior living communities offer guest suites, so there’s usually an on-site option for your occasional visitors.
Senior living communities such as Aberdeen Ridge are pet-friendly and welcome residents who bring their animal companions with them. When you’re evaluating the space in a senior apartment floor plan, think about the space your pet will need too. You’ll need to accommodate pet food, toys, a pet crate, and a place for a litter tray if you own a cat. Look at the laundry or kitchen area to make sure there’s space for your pet’s food and water bowl too.
Discover the perfect floor plan for all the best parts of retirement without any of the drawbacks. Enjoy maintenance-free living and a dynamic senior living community where you’ll meet other active older adults. Our independent living community includes services and amenities such as chef-prepared meals, a fully equipped fitness center and heated indoor pool, and other conveniences for your life on the go. Contact us today to learn more about our versatile one- and two-bedroom senior apartment homes or to view floor plans, and find your fit at Aberdeen Ridge.
