Your home should support the life you want to live. And with the right independent living community, you can have more time to enjoy the things you love, whether that’s exploring Seattle, pursuing hobbies, volunteering, learning new skills, or simply enjoying more freedom in your daily routine. But with so much to consider, where do you even begin?
We’ve put together a list of questions to help you really think about what you want or need. From location and lifestyle to care options and community culture, these questions can help you compare senior living communities. Use them as you tour and research your options to find a community that feels like the right fit for the life you envision.
Think about the lifestyle you want today
Before looking at senior living communities, ask yourself: What do I want my everyday life to look like? Depending on your answer, the following options may or may not be the right fit:
- Independent Living: A lifestyle-focused senior living option with less home maintenance and more access to amenities, dining, activities, and on-site entertainment. Many independent living communities are part of a Life Plan Community, which means added care is available on the same campus if you ever need it.
- Senior Apartments: Age-friendly housing for older adults who want to live independently while managing most of their daily needs themselves.
- Retirement Communities: Often a 55+ neighborhood that may offer community recreational amenities.
The right choice ultimately depends on what you value and how you want to spend your time. To truly establish what that could look like, try to imagine your picture-perfect Saturday. What would you be doing? As you explore communities, ask yourself:
- How much maintenance do I want to handle?
- Are dining and social activities important to me?
- What fitness, classes, or activities would I enjoy?
- What makes a living space feel comfortable or personal to me?
- Does the community make it easy to do the things I love?
Consider what you could need in the future
It can also be helpful to think a little further ahead when it comes to choosing your next home. Your wants and preferences may change over time, so consider whether the community can support you as your health or care needs evolve, and ask yourself:
- What support or services might I need in the future?
- Does the community offer additional levels of care if my needs change?
- How easily could I access that care while remaining in the same community?
Life Plan Communities, such as Horizon House, can be a great option for those who want to enjoy independent living today while having access to additional levels of care if their needs change. With multiple levels of care available, such as assisted living and memory support on the same campus, residents can enjoy the lifestyle they want today while having a plan in place for the future.
Don’t overlook the community’s culture
Beautiful spaces and amenities are important, but what makes a community feel like home is often the atmosphere and the people. Culture is hard to read from a website, so use your visit to get a feel for it. Notice how people interact and whether you feel welcome.
Be sure to pay attention to the people who shape daily life. At Horizon House, for example, residents’ voices carry real weight. They create clubs, lead discussion groups, and follow their curiosity wherever it goes, from science and history to philosophy and world affairs. The result is a calendar that stays creative enough to have something for everyone.
As you tour or look around, keep these questions in mind:
- What do residents typically do during the week?
- Are residents’ voices heard in the community?
- How do new residents meet people?
- Can I participate as much or as little as I want?
- Are there opportunities to build friendships and connections?
- What do current residents enjoy most about community life?
Evaluate the location alongside your lifestyle
Location and transportation can play a big role in how well a community matches what you’re looking for. What works well for one resident might not work for another, so think about the places you want to go, how you like to get around, and what kind of neighborhood you prefer.
It’s helpful to consider the convenience and range of opportunities that come with urban living alongside the quieter atmosphere of a suburban setting.
For example, Horizon House residents Bill and John enjoy walking from First Hill to nearby shops and downtown. Their route through the Convention Center offers city views, people-watching, and a convenient way to get around. But just like them, you’ll have to decide what fits your day-to-day preferences the best. As you tour communities, pay attention to:
- Is the community convenient for family and friends to visit?
- Can I easily get to the places I enjoy?
- Do I prefer the energy of downtown or a quieter neighborhood?
- Are public transportation and other transportation options accessible?
- Does the surrounding neighborhood support the lifestyle I want?
Explore Life at Horizon House
If you’re curious to see what your life could really look like here, we’d love to tell you more and answer all of your questions. We encourage you to come see Horizon House for yourself, meet the wonderful people who live here, and find out how it feels in person. Call 206-382-3100 or schedule a visit and feel free to bring our detailed list along with you.
