As we age it can become difficult to manage an entire household. In many cases, the desire to maintain a home disappears, especially one with a lot of yard space or multiple floors. In some cases, it makes sense to consider an active adult community, which is not necessarily the same as senior living.

Most active adult communities require residents to be 55 years of age or older. They offer a whole host of benefits that make them appealing to aging individuals interested in maintaining a sense of community while pairing down some of the difficulties and stresses of home ownership.

You’ll be surrounded by like-minded people

One of the biggest benefits of living in a 55+ community is camaraderie. Sure, like in every neighborhood, you might have disagreements on the type of decor to put on your lawn or how many flowers are too many. But, in the end, you’ll be surrounded by people in a similar stage of life. You will probably find that many are interested in the same activities, be it recreational sports like tennis or golf, arts and crafts, gardening, etc.

Maintenance is simplified

If you’re used to caring for a large yard, keeping up with endless household chores, and having difficulty maintaining a large space, paring down your belongings and moving into an adult living community can be a solution. Sometimes, property owners will handle the majority of maintenance issues—everything from changing out lightbulbs to shoveling snow—so that you can focus on other important things.

Socialize—for free!

Depending on the type and size of the community, many offer free or low-cost activities daily for residents to partake in. They typically cater to a variety of interests and skill levels, and you might even be able to pick up a hobby you never thought you’d be interested in. This is a great way to meet your neighbors, too, and can help you make friends in your new home.

Peace and quiet are abundant

The good news is that, by moving into a 55+ community, the peace and quiet you may not have had living in a traditional neighborhood will finally be attainable. Some adult living communities have quiet hours or restrict visitation to specific times of day to keep the noise down. This is not to say these communities are boring, but adult living can deliver a relative sense of calm in your community.