Things You'll Need:
- Time to research and ask questions
- Computer to check the BBB
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Step 1
Make charts. I like to use Excel spreadsheets since the information can be sorted easily.
List the names of the retirement communities you are researching along the left side column. Then make as many columns as you need in order to have all the information at your fingertips.
Suggested column titles - address, phone, type of accomodation (i.e. house, villa, condo, apartment) Upfront costs, monthly costs, meal plan, health club fees, Rooms available for visitors, etc -
Step 2
Call or go online to research as much as you can about each retirement community. After you have done this schedule a site inspection visit to the retirement center. Arrive early so you can watch what is going on around you. Try to speak to some of the residents too. They can give you a true picture. Ask about activities, clubs and committee's too. You want to be sure they have things going on that are of interest to you. If you love to golf then you will want to be in a community with a golf course or close to one.
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Step 3
Check with the Better Business Bureau to see what the rating is and if any major complaints are present. This is very important.
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Step 4
Make a second site visit when you narrow down your list. This time take along some other family members like a sibling or your children. Let them help you make your decision. This is a major step for you so you need to be sure you make the right one.
Comments
kluke82 said
on 10/9/2009 Checking with the BBB is a great tip! 5*s