Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2022 by Jim Miller How to Choose a 55-Plus Active Adult Community Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend for choosing a good active adult housing community? My husband and I, who recently retired, are planning to relocate to an area closer to our grandkids and are interested in buying a house in an age-restricted 55plus housing community. Active Retirees Dear Active, If you’re contemplating moving into an age-restricted community, fi nding one that’s right for you takes some legwork. While active adult communities generally off er the opportunity for a lower-maintenance lifestyle around similar aged people, they vary enormously. Here’s what you should know. Today’s active adult communities come in all shapes, sizes and price ranges, ranging from small city-based apartment complexes, to single-family homes, to sprawling resort-style locations situated on a gated golf course. Most are owned by their occupants, but a growing number are rentals. Typically, at least one occupant of each property must be at least 55. It’s also important to understand that 55-plus active adult communities are not the same as retirement or independent living communities, which are primarily designed for older seniors in their 70s and 80s. Active adult communities do not typically include meals or have a central dining area, but many of them do off er a range of recreational amenities and activities. To help you locate and research active adult communities in the areas you’re interested in, the best resource is 55places.com. This is a comprehensive website that provides ratings, reviews and information on activities and amenities for thousands of communities across the country. Once you fi nd a few you like, here are some questions to ask yourself that can help you choose: What’s our budget? To help you choose the right active adult community you’ll first need to determine what you can aff ord. Consider the home’s purchase price, whether you’ll need a mortgage, how much the property taxes and insurance are, and how much the homeowners’ association or community fees are. These fees, which typically run a few hundred dollars per month, go toward lawn care and possibly snow removal, as well as community areas like a clubhouse or pool. However, some communities may require additional memberships or fees for golf, tennis, classes, or other activities. You also need to consider the area’s cost of living for other things like food, utilities, transportation, health care and taxes. Numbeo.com and BestPlaces.net off er tools to compare the cost from your current location to where you would like to move. And Kiplinger’s has a tax guide for retirees at Kiplinger. com/links/retireetaxmap that lets you fi nd and compare taxes state-by-state. How active is the community? Some communities provide fitness facilities, swimming pools, tennis courts and more, along with dozens of organized activities, classes and social events. Other communities are much simpler and more laid back with very limited amenities and structured activities. You’ll want to choose acommunity that has the types of people, facilities, activities and vibe that appeals to you. Will we like the surrounding area? Will the area around your prospective community serve your needs now and in the future? Ideally, this means having easy access to good doctors and hospitals, and a local airport if you plan to travel much. You’ll also want to research how far you’ll be from essential services like grocery stores, banks and pharmacies, as well as dining, shopping, and recreational attractions. Schedule a Visit Once you’ve narrowed your choices, call to make an appointment and visit them. Be sure to allow plenty of time at each community and, if possible, go back to your favorites more than once. Also be sure to ask questions while you are visiting, particularly about the community rules. Some developments will let you stay overnight in a model home for a few nights to get a feel of what it would be like to live there. While you are there, try the amenities and activities, and speak with as many residents as you can. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Outdoor power equipment helps weather a storm or power outage Be prepared & keep safety in mind, says OPEI LEXANDRIA, Va. — Having the right outdoor power equipment on hand yearround is important, says the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), which advises home and business owners to grow familiar with safe operating procedures and think ahead before foul weather or a power outage disrupts life. OPEI is an international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of outdoor power equipment, small engines, battery power systems, portable generators, utility and personal transport vehicles, and golf cars. “It’s important to be preA pared year-round given any season can be storm season. We see more people investing in portable and whole house generators and having other outdoor power equipment on hand such as chainsaws and water pumps to mitigate any damage from felled trees and water damage and fl oods,” says OPEI President & CEO Kris Kiser. He notes that outdoor power equipment is becoming faster, lighter, more effi cient and more technologically advanced. “There’s a power source for every need including battery/electric, propane, solar and gasoline,” he says, noting that each has different maintenance and care requirements, and “Always read and follow the manufacturer’s manual.” To get ready for inclement weather, identify which equipment is needed. Chainsaws or pole saws can trim limbs and shrubs ahead of a storm and handle clearing. String trimmers, pruners and chainsaws can also remove combustible material from around your home, making it less vulnerable to wildfi res. A portable generator will power key appliances and charge cell phones when utilities go down. A whole house generator can keep the lights and appliances on and running. Before an outage, plan where the generator will be set up (never in a home or garage, and always away from your home and any air intake) and determine how to secure it if needed. Buy and install a carbon monoxide detector, too. Get outdoor-rated extension cords for portable generators and consider adding an approved cover to your generator for rainy weather. Water pumps can help get water and muck out of basements and homes. Be sure you know how to operate the pump. Never pump substances that your equipment is not designed to cope with. Pay attention to avoid overheating and follow all safety precautions. A utility type vehicle can transport people and supplies quickly in an emergency. Keep the vehicle stable and drive slowly. Do not turn midslope or while on a hill. Consider taking a safety course. Always read the directions provided by outdoor power equipment manufacturers and be sure to follow all manufacturer’s safety and usage recommendations before you need it — not waiting until an emergency. Practice how to operate equipment. Save a digital copy of the owner’s manual on your computer if possible, so it can easily be consulted in the future. Make sure to have the right fuel on hand and charge batteries ahead of an outage. Gasoline-powered equipment uses E10 or less fuel, and most manufacturers recommend adding a fuel stabilizer. Fuel that is more than 30 days old might cause running problems, so it’s important to purchase fuel just ahead of a storm. Store fuel safely and only use an approved fuel container. One of the most important things operators can do for safety is to pay attention to energy levels and health. Preparation for bad weather, a power outage and storm cleanup can be taxing. Do not operate power equipment when tired or overly fatigued. Drink plenty of water and take regular breaks. Always use safety equipment like chaps, gloves, eye protection or hearing protection. About the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute OPEI is the advocacy voice of the industry and a recognized Standards Development Organization for the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and active internationally through the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in the development of safety and performance standards. OPEI owns Equip Exposition, the international landscape, outdoor living, and equipment exposition, and administers the TurfMutt Foundation, which directs the environmental education program TurfMutt. OPEI-Canada represents members on a host of issues, including recycling, emissions and other regulatory developments across the Canadian provinces. Storm cleanup(Photo courtesy: Outdoor Power Equipment Institute)
15 Publizr Home