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| Retirement and Active Adult Living |
With three military installations in San Antonio, you’ll find many active retirees enjoying life here. It attracts many others as well thanks to a compelling package of amenities. Most importantly is its location, which is part of the beautiful Hill Country. Within easy access to San Antonio, there are many quaint communities including Boerne, New Braunfels and Canyon Lake that offer affordable living options with scenic views and plenty of activities.
In 2008, SmartMoney magazine ranked San Antonio as one of the best places to retire, especially during a down economy. Earlier this year, San Antonio was ranked as the strongest metropolitan area in the country for economic performance, according to the Brookings Institution. Over time, the region has expanded beyond its reliance on tourism and the military to include high-growth industries, such as health care, biotech, education, business and IT services. Companies are moving to the area thanks to the state’s pro-business attitude and the absence of state taxes. In addition, the area’s real estate market did not feel the effects of sub-prime lending defaults as in other U.S. cities. The current median price of an existing single family home is $152,200 and newcomers can also expect to find a wide variety of retirement living options.
Other factors important to seniors include access to quality health care, which is plentiful in San Antonio. The region supports the South Texas Medical Center that is home to San Antonio’s finest medical facilities. Continuing education is readily available throughout the region with a choice of five community colleges and a range of private and public universities from which to choose. If traveling is a priority, you’ll be pleased to know that the San Antonio International Airport handles 260 daily domestic and international departures and arrivals. Its central location also makes it convenient to most neighborhoods.
Staying active is a major priority for retirees and San Antonio, with its moderate year-round temperatures, fits the bill perfectly. For golf lovers, there are more than 40 courses and practice greens, and two Tournament Players Club courses opened on January 22, 2010. San Antonio hosts a PGA tour event and the 50-and-older Champions Tour AT&T championship. Parks and green spaces are plentiful for walking, biking and hiking and for those who enjoy water sports, there are many lakes and rivers.
For newcomers, it doesn’t take long to make friends and share interests. There are many opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of the region, including organized visits to museums, local theater and concert venues. If volunteering is of interest to you, there are plenty of organizations that will welcome your participation, and there are agencies to help you find a job. With so many tourist attractions in the city and nearby, there is always something fun (and oftentimes free) to do in the Alamo City.
To support the needs of an aging population, numerous San Antonio organizations are assisting seniors with delivery of daily meals, transportation, social programs, guardianship services, advocacy for nursing home residents and respite care for Alzheimer’s care-givers. Agencies providing these services include the American Red Cross, Area Agency on Aging, Meals on Wheels, Senior Companion Program, Visiting Nurse Association, Greater Randolph Area Services Program and the Parks and Community Services Department.
Senior Living Communities and Independent Living Communities
Independent and senior living communities are places for seniors to retire where they can continue to live independently, yet don’t have to worry about a home or its upkeep. These places should provide a safe and comfortable setting as well as provide an opportunity in which to make new friends in the same age range who share the same interests.
After making the decision to live in a retirement community, how do you select the right facility that meets your needs? First ask your friends and your doctor for recommendations. In addition, consult this relocation directory and its companion website at www.RelocatingToSanAntonio.org.
Living options may be apartments, townhomes or rooms requiring little or no maintenance. Experts suggest that whichever type of housing is preferred, it’s important to see available apartments and, if they have don’t have an availability or do not have the type of facility requested, find out about getting on the waiting list and also determine the length of the expected wait. When visiting and interviewing at retirement communities, shop around. Make several visits at different times.
Services offered can vary depending on the type and cost of the facility. In independent living communities, seniors are responsible for their own finances, transportation, meals and health care. Recreational activities are usually offered, maid service may be provided, some meals may be provided in a common room, and the facility may offer transportation to physicians or shopping. People interested in this type of facility should be healthy, able to communicate with independent health care professionals without the help of on-site staff and must desire an active community environment.
It’s important that a facility under consideration be close to your services, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, grocery stores and favorite shopping places. Identify what amenities are important to you, such as an onsite beauty shop, a store in which to buy items before you can get to a store, transportation for doctor appointments, shopping, cultural events, church and social outings. Review the facility’s activity calendar to see what it offers and ask the marketing director or the activity director about programs. Don’t hesitate to ask other residents how long they have lived in the community and how they would rate it.
In 2008, SmartMoney magazine ranked San Antonio as one of the best places to retire, especially during a down economy. Earlier this year, San Antonio was ranked as the strongest metropolitan area in the country for economic performance, according to the Brookings Institution. Over time, the region has expanded beyond its reliance on tourism and the military to include high-growth industries, such as health care, biotech, education, business and IT services. Companies are moving to the area thanks to the state’s pro-business attitude and the absence of state taxes. In addition, the area’s real estate market did not feel the effects of sub-prime lending defaults as in other U.S. cities. The current median price of an existing single family home is $152,200 and newcomers can also expect to find a wide variety of retirement living options.
Other factors important to seniors include access to quality health care, which is plentiful in San Antonio. The region supports the South Texas Medical Center that is home to San Antonio’s finest medical facilities. Continuing education is readily available throughout the region with a choice of five community colleges and a range of private and public universities from which to choose. If traveling is a priority, you’ll be pleased to know that the San Antonio International Airport handles 260 daily domestic and international departures and arrivals. Its central location also makes it convenient to most neighborhoods.
Staying active is a major priority for retirees and San Antonio, with its moderate year-round temperatures, fits the bill perfectly. For golf lovers, there are more than 40 courses and practice greens, and two Tournament Players Club courses opened on January 22, 2010. San Antonio hosts a PGA tour event and the 50-and-older Champions Tour AT&T championship. Parks and green spaces are plentiful for walking, biking and hiking and for those who enjoy water sports, there are many lakes and rivers.
For newcomers, it doesn’t take long to make friends and share interests. There are many opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds of the region, including organized visits to museums, local theater and concert venues. If volunteering is of interest to you, there are plenty of organizations that will welcome your participation, and there are agencies to help you find a job. With so many tourist attractions in the city and nearby, there is always something fun (and oftentimes free) to do in the Alamo City.
To support the needs of an aging population, numerous San Antonio organizations are assisting seniors with delivery of daily meals, transportation, social programs, guardianship services, advocacy for nursing home residents and respite care for Alzheimer’s care-givers. Agencies providing these services include the American Red Cross, Area Agency on Aging, Meals on Wheels, Senior Companion Program, Visiting Nurse Association, Greater Randolph Area Services Program and the Parks and Community Services Department.
Senior Living Communities and Independent Living Communities
Independent and senior living communities are places for seniors to retire where they can continue to live independently, yet don’t have to worry about a home or its upkeep. These places should provide a safe and comfortable setting as well as provide an opportunity in which to make new friends in the same age range who share the same interests.
After making the decision to live in a retirement community, how do you select the right facility that meets your needs? First ask your friends and your doctor for recommendations. In addition, consult this relocation directory and its companion website at www.RelocatingToSanAntonio.org.
Living options may be apartments, townhomes or rooms requiring little or no maintenance. Experts suggest that whichever type of housing is preferred, it’s important to see available apartments and, if they have don’t have an availability or do not have the type of facility requested, find out about getting on the waiting list and also determine the length of the expected wait. When visiting and interviewing at retirement communities, shop around. Make several visits at different times.
Services offered can vary depending on the type and cost of the facility. In independent living communities, seniors are responsible for their own finances, transportation, meals and health care. Recreational activities are usually offered, maid service may be provided, some meals may be provided in a common room, and the facility may offer transportation to physicians or shopping. People interested in this type of facility should be healthy, able to communicate with independent health care professionals without the help of on-site staff and must desire an active community environment.
It’s important that a facility under consideration be close to your services, such as doctor’s offices, hospitals, grocery stores and favorite shopping places. Identify what amenities are important to you, such as an onsite beauty shop, a store in which to buy items before you can get to a store, transportation for doctor appointments, shopping, cultural events, church and social outings. Review the facility’s activity calendar to see what it offers and ask the marketing director or the activity director about programs. Don’t hesitate to ask other residents how long they have lived in the community and how they would rate it.
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With three military installations in San Antonio, you’ll ...
