Sounds fo Nature at Retirement Communities

This autumn morning I woke up at my usual 6:30am -- it's still dark out and I am hearing a soothing sound.   It sounds like rain but I look out and I realize it is the rustling of leaves on the tall old oak tree outside my window.  At this time of year the leaves start to turn brown and when there is a breeze the edges are knocking together and making this wonderful rustling sound.  Quiet, mysterious and pleasant to the ear.

I begin to think of other sounds of nature I have enjoyed.  Some of my favorite ones are:

..raindrops and wind howling against the window
..roaring ocean surf 
..rippling streams in the mountains as the snow melts in spring
..seagulls wings flapping in flight overhead
..pockets of silence from canyons, oceans, deserts
..wind chimes in a breeze

The cool autumn air inspired me to take a walk before sunrise to discover that all the majestic trees were making the same rustling sound as I walked on the trail through my retirement community.

 I saw a family of deer feeding on the dewy grasses--silent and serene. 

I'm sure you have your favorite sounds of nature too.  I think retirees look for sounds like these in retirement.  Next time you visit a retirement community you have been thinking about, listen as well as look.  Listen for the sounds of nature at retirement communities.

You May Want a Large Shower in Your Retirement Home: 5 Reasons!

Seat in large separate shower

If you had your choice in your retirement home, would you choose a large shower or a small shower stall. Most people might say a smaller one not really giving it much consideration. When reviewing retirement communities, I see many very large separate showers, some with 2 seats. Liking smaller, cozier things in general I would wonder if I needed such a large shower (and more to clean). Some even had 2 seats in them--why would I need that.

Large separate shower

Well, now I know.   As you age, as I have said many times, things change.  Your preferences change, too.   Sitting around too much?  Have high blood pressure? Circulation impaired?  Need to help your spouse shower?   Wanting your shower to be your spa?   All of these things may influence your choice of shower. 

Here are some reasons you may not have thought of for choosing a large shower in your retirement home (and maybe a separate one with 2 seats, too).

1) Spending time in the shower --  you may be needing more than one shower for your active retirement lifestyle swimming, sunbathing, playing golf or tennis and you are finding the shower is more important. 

2) Helping spouse in the shower -- sometimes one person in a couple requires assistance in the shower -- a larger separate shower makes it easier to get into and maybe one with one or two seats.

3) Have additional spa-like gadgets in the shower -- a hand-held shower preferably with a massage feature can be enjoyed better in a large shower.

4) Improving circulation with hand-held shower head -- As we age, circulation becomes more important -- and a hand-held shower head is an inexpensive way to improve circulation -- a seat in the shower is helpful too when massaging the legs and feet.

5) Therapeutic uses such as cooling off in the shower or frequent showers may require a larger shower -- using the shower to cool down on a hot day is a pleasant way to relax or a hot shower to soothe aching muscles.

Yes, a large shower could be desirable for more reasons than pure aesthetic enjoyment--it may be a practical consideration.  Take this into consideration when you are looking for your retirement home.

Check out Best Guide Retirement Communities listings to find your perfect new home!

Pro's and Con's of Landscaped Retirement Communities

Landscaped retirement communities are beautiful but can require upkeep.  Just like your home needs grass cutting, tree pruning, flower beds watered and much more, so does the property of a retirement community. 

It's a nice rainy morning on the East Coast; one of those mornings perfect for napping, sleeping in and half dozing.  Unfortunately, the landscapers chose this morning to do a complete renovation of the lawns.   Not really, but it feels like it.  All morning I have been listening to trimmers, lawnmowers and edgers and not the soft sprinkling of the rain.     But when it's finished, it will be beautiful.  They sure do keep up the landscaping here.  But there are pros and cons.

The location of my home looks over a park--another thing to consider--location of your home.  Golf courses, for instance, while providing beautiful views, require a lot of upkeep so you may have to put up with sprinkling and fertilizing more often.  Along walk pathways also require more upkeep.  Generally anywhere that shows off to the public appearance may get more attention from gardeners and a chance of showering you with dust and noise on a regular basis.

The trees on the property can tell you a lot about the community.  Are the trees tended to.  If not, maybe they don't have much money.    Are they cutting down too many mature trees or just enough to keep the property safe.   What is the philosophy of the landscaping department.  Are they considerate of the property owner who has a gorgeous cherry tree blooming outside their window and would be upset if it were suddenly cut down. 

There may be people who would like to see that happen so you can't depend on that tree being there forever.  If it's important to you when you are choosing your retirement home, ask the head landscaper about it.

It's interesting about landscaping, there are so many varied opinions.  Some people love when the grass is kept low for that nice clean look.  Some people want a more natural look.  So this is something to consider when you are looking at retirement communities--the kind of appearance and how much upkeep you can tolerate. 

I think overall, since my community chose wisely, the landscapers here don't overdo it.  They don't spray with toxins that might hurt wildlife or people, they don't stay so busy that they are in your way, they stop their work if you walk by and they are courteous about it.  This is the way it should be at a retirement community.  The result is harmony.

But please investigate this aspect of the community to make sure there aren't more cons than pros.

Interested in seeing some great retirement communities? Check out my list of the Top Retirement Communities!