Why More Seniors Are Choosing Lock-and-Leave Communities for Retirement

The lock-and-leave lifestyle has gained a lot of popularity recently, and it’s easy to see why. This type of lifestyle isn’t one-size-fits-all; it supports the various needs and desires of different people who may not want or can’t be tied to one residence. 

Instead of scheduling lawn care, you can schedule dinner and a night on the town with friends. Instead of putting money toward expensive appliance replacements, you can put that money toward a travel fund. And instead of needing to take care of home maintenance tasks over a long weekend, you can take that weekend to visit family.

Keep reading as we explore what a lock-and-leave community is, the benefits of a lock-and-leave lifestyle and your housing options for this lifestyle.

What Is a Lock-and-Leave Community?

A lock-and-leave community offers on-the-go people more flexibility and freedom to travel, work away from home and keep up a busy schedule without needing to worry about who will watch the house while they’re away. Lock-and-leave communities are perfect for those who simply enjoy the convenience of leaving, following their passions and doing whatever they want. 

These safe, convenient and low-maintenance residences are rightsized to the individual’s lifestyle. While they make being away from home easier, many of them also have luxury amenities and access to engaging cultural, artistic and educational pursuits that make staying at home worthwhile, too.

Benefits of a Lock-and-Leave Community

Why are more seniors choosing lock-and-leave communities? Here are some of the benefits they experience with the lifestyle these communities offer:

Travel More

It’s time to turn “We’ll eventually take that trip to Italy” into “We’re going to Italy on this date.” Unfortunately, for many people, breaking away from responsibilities at home can be difficult, resulting in that vacation being continuously put off another year. It shouldn’t have to be this way. 

With a lock-and-leave lifestyle, you have the capability to follow your heart’s desire, whether it’s a midweek solo trip, a long weekend to visit your family or simply having the freedom to travel where you’ve always wanted to at a moment’s notice without being tied to your house and the responsibilities of homeownership. And most importantly, the amount of time you’re away is completely up to you because you don’t have to worry about the state of your house or lawn while you’re away.

Flexibility

With a lock-and-leave lifestyle, your possibilities are endless. Whether you need to work away from home, have a busy schedule or simply want the convenience of “getting up and going,” these communities enable you to consider your lifestyle first and be spontaneous if you wish, rather than thinking about home maintenance, housekeeping and other restrictions of homeownership. 

You have the power to determine your own schedule and how you spend your time, ensuring your focus is on relaxation and rejuvenation rather than on all of the “shoulds” and numerous house responsibilities that can pop up in life.

Fewer Chores, More Time (and Money)

Owning a house has several benefits. But when you purchase your own home, you spend a lot more money than just what you spend on the mortgage and the down payment. One of the largest hidden costs of owning a home is maintenance.

For example, homeowners can spend $1,200-$2,400 each year on landscaping costs alone. These simple maintenance costs can rise exponentially when you factor in pest control, housekeeping supplies, pool care (if applicable) and unexpected repairs or replacements.

Homeowners aren’t just spending a lot of money on all these tasks — they’re also spending time. According to some data, homeowners spend approximately 10 hours per week on home maintenance tasks. 

Time is one of the most precious commodities we have, and it’s one that we can’t get back. Lock-and-leave communities enable you to take this time back and redirect it toward exploring new hobbies, getting lunch or dinner with close friends or family members, pursuing continuing education opportunities and more.

Security and Peace of Mind

Worrying about your home and if it’s secure can take some of the fun out of an on-the-go lifestyle. And if you’re away for a longer time, your belongings and home can be more at risk of being damaged or robbed. You don’t want to spend your time away from home — no matter how long or short it is — with these thoughts running through your head. 

The good news is that lock-and-leave communities help keep your property safe while you’re away. Safety is a large component of these communities, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing your home isn’t unsupervised. Safety features will vary among communities, but you’ll find things such as gated entrances only residents and authorized personnel can enter or stronger structures and foundations to stand up to excessive winds and storms in environments such as Florida, where hurricanes are a concern. In these types of environments, the ability to pack up and leave is essential, and you can do so knowing that precautions have been taken to secure your home while you’re away.

Lock-and-Leave Community Features

People want their residence to reflect their lifestyle. Here are some of the additional features you can find in a lock-and-leave community.

Social Connections

Relationships are an important ingredient for a happy and healthy life. However, due to time constraints and home responsibilities, you’ve likely noticed your social circle has been dwindling, and making dinner plans has gotten more difficult. 

Living in a communal environment makes expanding your social circle and meeting new people effortless. You’ll find the perfect environment to build meaningful connections with like-minded folks through opportunities such as attending a club or participating in an activity that provides regular interactions. Plus, these opportunities eliminate the need to plan, so you can simply show up and enjoy yourself without worrying about being a good host or making dinner or snacks for the gathering.

Easy Access to Premium Amenities

Lock-and-leave communities are well-designed environments that support the whole person and their goals, ensuring they have a suite of features that makes staying at home just as worthwhile as keeping a full schedule. 

This enables you to spend more time enjoying an active, fun lifestyle and pursuing your passions or taking up hobbies that you always wanted to try but didn’t have time to previously. You’ll find fitness classes with access to a personal trainer, art classes, delicious dining options, a variety of clubs and more. Because these communities are designed with socialization in mind, you’ll find opportunities to expand your social circle and meet new people to explore the neighborhood with.

All-Inclusive Lifestyle

With the right community, you can optimize your resources with a low-maintenance lifestyle and events, new hobbies, classes and more all on one campus. You’ll have more time to focus on traveling and pursuing your passions — all without worrying about surprise bills related to your house. 

In a lock-and-leave community, your monthly fees cover everything, including your dining plan, fitness center membership, maintenance and other amenities. The money you save on house sitters, lawn care, home repairs and other typical household expenses can go right back into your travel fund or toward supplies to support your new hobby.

Housing Options

The lock-and-leave lifestyle is a relatively recent trend in housing that’s becoming increasingly popular. The lifestyle enables people to enjoy the balance between having their own space with the convenience and security that comes with being able to get up and go.

You have a few different options when it comes to housing that supports a lock-and-leave lifestyle, including an apartment, condo, townhome or cottage/single-family house. These are all low-maintenance options, but you may find more freedom and flexibility to get up and go with some options than you do with others. 

When you’re considering the ideal housing option for your lifestyle, it’s important to think about current and future costs, how much maintenance you’re comfortable with handling on your own and how much you want to be tied to your residence. For example, with a rental property, you’re only tied to the residence for the length of your lease.

How Life Plan Communities Support a Lock-and-Leave Lifestyle

There are plenty of communities available that make a lock-and-leave lifestyle possible. One of the options available for older adults is a Life Plan Community (also known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC). These communities cater to a variety of needs or features you want in your home. You’ll find top-notch amenities, special events, access to healthy and fresh foods, the arts and more. And, of course, all home maintenance tasks are taken care of. 

Life Plan Communities aren’t just about providing care — they emphasize living life to its fullest each day. If you’re active and healthy, you may be wondering what a Life Plan Community could offer you. While you may pursue the freedom of independent living while you’re active, you’ll have access to care options if you need them in the future on one campus. This helps you reduce unknowns and truly enjoy life because important decisions, such as how you’ll handle future care needs, are made ahead of time. 

Deciding to leave your home comes with a lot of emotional and financial considerations. To start learning about your options and the amenities and services you’ll have easy access to in a Life Plan Community, check out our free resource, The Complete Guide to Life Plan Communities.