What You Need to Know Before Moving into Independent Living

Older adults are choosing to move into retirement communities while they’re still healthy and active. It’s a lifestyle choice that allows them to take advantage of life-enriching amenities and services now, with access to a continuum of senior care before they need it. This is one of the best-kept secrets of senior living: You don’t have to wait to start enjoying the lifestyle you want. You can take advantage of maintenance-free living and resort-style amenities early in your retirement years.

Preparing for Your Move into Independent Living

Timing is important when planning your move to an independent living community. If you’re planning to sell your home, your first step is to find a real estate agent to help you sell your home at the best price in today’s market. Once the timing of your home closing is squared away, it’s time to get serious about packing and moving. You can begin coordinating your moving day plans, packing up boxes and hiring moving services for additional help.

Downsizing, Packing and Planning

Moving from a home where you’ve lived for years into a smaller senior living residence can be a big change, but it’s a positive change that can lead to new opportunities and experiences. Downsizing is a wonderful way to reflect on memories as you revisit photos, travel souvenirs, and family heirlooms that have been tucked away in closets for years. Plus, reducing clutter can simplify your life and make more room for what matters most to you. To learn more, check out our guide to rightsizing to a senior apartment. 

Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Create a strategy for downsizing and decluttering, including a plan and timeline for the rooms or closets you’ll tackle first.
• Choose a sorting system to help streamline decisions about items you want to keep, give to family or friends, donate, sell, recycle, or throw away.
• Review floor plans for your new apartment so you can measure furniture and map out how you want to arrange the space.
• Take your time to sort through things at your own pace.
• Invite family members and friends to help lighten the burden of downsizing and share memories along the way.

What to Expect When Moving into Independent Living

Moving day can feel like a whirlwind, but it’s helpful to stay focused on the logistics and avoid getting swept up in the emotions of moving. You can stay grounded by making a list of what to bring to independent living and identify your top priorities to help you get settled in. For example, even if you hire professional movers for larger items, you’ll want to prepare an essentials bag with items you want to have accessible throughout the move.

Keep in mind that it may take some time to arrange everything the way you want in your apartment, and it’s OK to unpack in phases. After you’re moved in, you can relax knowing you’ll have all the amenities of senior living waiting for you, from dining venues and community spaces to a fitness center and wellness programming.

Advantages of Moving to Westminster

Although the process of downsizing and moving to senior living is a major adjustment, choosing a rightsized apartment that matches your lifestyle opens the door to the next exciting stage of your life. There’s so much to gain when you move into independent living, and the experience at Westminster is like no other. 

At Westminster, you can leave behind the burdens of home maintenance and start enjoying more of what you love. Start each day with morning yoga class or a peaceful walk around campus before meeting friends for lunch and attending an afternoon concert in Harris Bell Hall. You set the pace for the lifestyle you want, with a full calendar of activities and social events throughout the day. 

When you choose a Life Plan Community like Westminster, you also choose peace of mind and financial security. You can be sure you’ll have access to the care you need within the community if your health needs ever change. Learn more about the peace of mind you’ll have with Life Care as a resident of Westminster. 

Ready to start planning your move to Westminster in Austin, TX? Contact us today for more information about our independent living community or to schedule a tour.