Should You Choose a Cottage or a One-Bedroom Apartment in a Retirement Community?

The time has come to decide on what living arrangements best suit you and your retirement. You may have spent some time weighing the pros and cons. Plus, you may have also discussed certain options with your family. At the end of the day, it comes down to many factors that pertain to you. These include your overall daily experience, comfort level, and more. 

Does a one-bedroom apartment suit your needs? Or are you more comfortable with living in a senior living cottage? Each of these are different and one such arrangement may be the best fit for your personal needs, social preferences, and even the way you want to live your retirement.

Space and Layout Considerations

First and foremost, it’s always a good idea to consider one of the most important aspects of a senior living arrangement. The space and layout for both one-bedroom apartments and cottages are different from each other. Cottages will have more square footage ranging from 1400 to 1600 square feet while one-bedroom apartments may be slightly more than half of that size.

Cottages will obviously give you more flexibility in terms of how you use your space. This may be a home office, a hobby room, or even a guest room. Meanwhile, one-bedroom apartments can be good for those who want to live with comfort and efficiency, despite some limitations it may have. In independent living communities, the layouts should also be enough to ensure that you can easily navigate from one part of the space to another without the worry of safety issues like falls.

Privacy and Tranquility Factors

Privacy is obviously something you might prioritize. Plus, it can be one of the major factors that help you decide which living option is best suited for you. Cottages are often the better option for privacy and tranquility because of numerous factors. These include having your own entryway and outdoor space. Plus, they are quieter in terms of environment meaning you won’t have to deal with noise.

Despite the fact that apartments may offer community amenities and social spaces, you may be prioritizing convenience at the expense of peace and quiet. This is something you’ll want to consider before you decide whether a cottage or a one-bedroom apartment is best suited.

Social Interaction and Community Connection

If you value social interaction and the sense of belonging to a community, this could play a vital role in choosing your next independent living arrangement. One of the major conveniences with one-bedroom apartments is that you are closer to common areas like game rooms, cafes, or other spaces where a lot of activities take place. They are the best places to connect with like-minded individuals who have similar interests. Best of all, you have the freedom to participate in such activities no matter what day they might be on.

In an apartment, you’ll more than likely encounter your neighbors who could become your friends. Spontaneous conversations can lead to meaningful connections. Before you know it, you’ll have a walking buddy or someone to have coffee with every morning. Now, what about cottages?

One thing to keep in mind is that cottages don’t isolate you from community life. You still have access to all the excellent amenities and social opportunities that are offered. This means that your social interactions are more intentional as opposed to incidental. If you prefer to take the initiative when it comes to socializing, you can still do that while also maintaining a peaceful space that is a cottage.

Maintenance and Upkeep Responsibilities

Cottages and one-bedroom apartments in independent living communities both have on-site maintenance services. However, the need for maintenance and upkeep might differ. For example, cottages are larger in size and may require more focus for maintenance. The best part is the staff will handle those things so you don’t have to.

One-bedroom apartments have maintenance needs that are more streamlined because of their size. As such, those issues are addressed quickly and fewer things can go wrong. No matter which space you choose, you’ll have little to no involvement as far as maintenance and upkeep goes.

Discover Whether an Apartment or Cottage Feels Like Home at Ansel Park Independent Living Today!

Have you decided on which living arrangement fits you best in a retirement community? If not, don’t worry. You have the opportunity to check out what Ansel Park Independent Living has to offer in terms of your own retirement living needs. If you are interested in scheduling a tour, please contact us today and we will be glad to assist you.