Your decision to move to a senior living apartment allows you to maintain your independence and spend more time with people your age. Not only does your residential move allow you to downsize a little bit, but it also gives you the perfect opportunity to make new friends and discover new activities. Now that you are ready to begin your search for an apartment, you can use these tips to make sure that you fit into your new senior living community.

Ask About the Rules and Guidelines

Most apartment communities have established rules that make sure everyone gets along and a general sense of peace exists. However, these rules can vary from one community to another. Find out if there are rules regarding pets, curfews, and visitors to make sure that they'll fit your lifestyle. For instance, you may prefer a community that limits outdoor activities after a certain hour so that you can sleep, or you may need to know that it is perfectly acceptable to take your dog for a walk outside provided that you pick up after them. Now is the time to make sure that you prefer and can live by the standards that your new community has in place.

Check out the Amenities

Senior living apartments also come in a variety of different floor plans and with both public and private amenities that affect your quality of life. For instance, you may need to make sure that you have washer and dryer hookups if you love doing laundry at home, or you may enjoy the group atmosphere of a centralized laundry room so you can chat with other people while you wash and fold. Swimming pools, walking trails, and sitting areas are a few more amenities that you may ask about to make sure that you'll have plenty of things to do outside in your new community.

Talk to a Few of Your Future Neighbors

Once you've gotten a feel of a potential apartment community, your next step is to talk to some of the residents. Go ahead and introduce yourself to anyone that you might see outside, and let them know that you are interested in moving there. If they are receptive to talking, then have a few questions to ask them such as what other activities people enjoy doing there.

A move to a new home requires some serious thought and research since you plan to live there for years. By doing your due diligence, you can be sure that you'll fit right in with your new neighbors and have a great start in your new apartment.