If you’re recently retired and enjoying life at home, you might wonder why you’d consider moving into independent living at a Life Plan Community like Edgewood Summit. After all, you’ve earned the comfort of familiar surroundings. But here’s the thing: many retirees don’t realize just how much time their homes demand – and how much of that time they could reclaim for hobbies, travel and connecting with kid, grandkids and friends.
The numbers tell the story. On average, Americans spend about six hours per week cleaning their homes, with more than a quarter devoting over seven hours to tidying up. Add in eight hours a week cooking, another hour and a half on lawn care, plus time spent coordinating maintenance and repairs, and you’re looking at over 60 hours a month dedicated to household upkeep. That’s the equivalent of a week and a half of “work” every single month.
The Hidden Costs of Homeownership
Keeping a home running smoothly costs more than just your time. Homeowners spend an average of $2,000 each year on maintenance and repairs, from servicing appliances to fixing leaky roofs. That doesn’t include seasonal expenses like lawn care, snow removal or emergency fixes that can add hundreds – or even thousands – more. Add those expenses to the hours you already spend on cleaning, yard work and coordinating service calls, and it’s easy to see how homeownership can take a bigger bite out of your retirement than you might expect. And let’s be honest here – as long as you live in that house, the chores never end. They just get more difficult as we age.
How Independent Living Gives You Hours Back
One of the biggest advantages of independent living at a retirement community is that routine upkeep – landscaping, exterior maintenance and repairs – is handled for you. You no longer have to troubleshoot a broken appliance, spend Saturday morning cleaning gutters or book appointments for yard work. This behind-the-scenes support at a community means your home environment stays fresh and comfortable with far less effort on your part.
Everyday Conveniences Add Up
Senior living communities are built to make daily life easier. On-site dining options can save you the time and energy of meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking and cleaning up afterward. Instead, fill your day with fitness classes, hobby groups and social events – they’re just steps from your door, eliminating the drive time you’d normally spend getting to and from activities. Over the course of a week, those small time-savings add up to hours you can dedicate to what you enjoy most.
More Time for What You Love
Instead of organizing your calendar around chores, you can fill your days with purpose: taking a painting workshop, joining a walking club, spending time with grandchildren or finally booking that trip you’ve been dreaming about. Many residents find that moving into a community like Edgewood Summit fosters a more active adult lifestyle, where social opportunities and personal activities take center stage.
Why Wait to Make the Move?
You might think independent living is a “someday” decision, but the reality is, the earlier you make the move, the sooner you can start enjoying the benefits. Why spend your retirement years juggling home repairs and constant cleaning when you could be investing that time in yourself and your interests? By choosing a retirement community designed to support your lifestyle, you’ll gain not only freedom from chores but also the freedom to live each day on your own terms. Ready to dive into the exciting parts of retirement? Schedule a tour of Edgewood Summit today!