Why Santa Marta is the Perfect Place for Independent Seniors to Downsize

When it comes to housing, the typical thinking is “the bigger the better.” But what do you do when bigger becomes more than you want to maintain?

Many older adults have realized that enjoying a larger lifestyle doesn’t necessarily mean having a big residence. They are recognizing the benefits of moving to a senior community where social opportunities, location, and services and amenities are a key part of their lifestyle. Here’s how choosing independent living at Santa Marta can help you live larger than you ever imagined.

How Big Should Your House Be?

A lot of factors go into determining what size of residence will best suit your lifestyle. Rather than just focusing on square footage, look for thoughtfully designed layouts and features that maximize efficiency and storage. To help you estimate how much space you’ll need, here are some downsizing tips for seniors to consider:

Will your current furniture and belongings fit?

Measure your sofa, dining room set, bedroom furniture, and other large pieces you plan to take with you. Knowing how much square footage you need and figuring out how to arrange your furniture can help you choose the best floor plan. But remember, depending on what you decide, chances are that not everything you own will fit, so you may need to downsize some of your belongings.

Do you plan to entertain?

Do you need an additional bedroom for out-of-town guests, or do you plan to host dinner parties and other large gatherings with family and friends?

Do you need a designated office or hobby space?

It’s important to make sure both you and your partner have the space you need to enjoy your hobbies. A second bedroom or den can always be turned into an office or craft room.

Will you need extra storage space?

Will your personal belongings fit in your closets and storage areas, or will you need a second bedroom for additional storage? Some communities also provide personal storage lockers.

Is there room for your furry friend?

If you have a pet, when considering any floor plan, it’s important to ensure there’s space for your furry friend. Check to see if there’s room for their kennel or litter box, where they’ll have room to play, and where you’d like to set up their food and water dishes.

There’s Nothing Small About Senior Living

It’s always better to have more than you need, right? If more means more maintenance, upkeep, and cleaning, then maybe not. Consider your current home: Are you using all the rooms or just a few? The benefits of rightsizing your life by moving to a senior community include:

Less stress: Moving into a smaller home can help eliminate clutter, and being organized will simplify your life. Plus, the process of downsizing allows you to free yourself from outdated electronics, old furniture, and other items you no longer need or use.

Designed for you: While you can update your home to accommodate your changing needs, it can be quite expensive. Downsizing to a community that’s specifically designed for older adults will give you the opportunity to choose a home with enhanced safety and accessibility features, allowing you to age in place more successfully.

Fewer responsibilities: A big living space can become difficult to clean and maintain. A senior living community can handle any needed repairs to appliances, heating, air conditioning, plumbing, and electrical systems. Most communities also offer dining, housekeeping, and flat linen service.

More social opportunities: Once all the inside and outside maintenance is taken care of, you’ll have more time to pursue your interests. Santa Marta has a calendar full of events including art and fitness classes, clubs, committees, and social gatherings.

Enjoy your alone time: Whenever you want a little alone time, enjoy a walk on our campus, sit and read a book from our library, or pursue your personal interests.

Community Amenities Can Help Expand Your Living Space

At Santa Marta, you’ll find an array of thoughtful amenities and helpful services to provide you with an even bigger lifestyle than you ever imagined.

• Dining: You won’t need a stand-alone dining room or lots of kitchen storage. At Santa Marta we have multiple dining venues, including a formal dining room and a bistro featuring chef-prepared menus.
• Hobby areas: At Santa Marta, you can explore your creative side in our arts and crafts studio, or take on your neighbors in our game room
• Wellness: If maintaining your physical fitness is important to you, Santa Marta has a fitness center offering classes and wellness programs, along with an indoor pool and hot tub.
• Maintenance-free lifestyle: Free yourself from all the chores of home ownership. Here, you won’t need a mower, trimmer or blower because our talented team handles all the landscaping to keep our community looking great. We also have housekeeping, flat linen service, and will take care of your senior apartment’s maintenance.
• Room to entertain: Getting together with friends and family is an important part of everyone’s life. That’s why our independent living community has inviting gathering spaces and a private dining room for hosting family celebrations.

Find the Right Space for Your Next Adventure

To see how much you can get out of life with a well-designed floor plan, contact one of our helpful senior living counselors. We’d love to help you experience everything life at Santa Marta offers.