{"id":1303,"date":"2025-11-24T11:23:49","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T18:23:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bgerman.com\/wordpress\/?p=1303"},"modified":"2026-07-14T16:10:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T21:10:54","slug":"retirement-living-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bgerman.com\/wordpress\/retirement-living-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"Retirement Living Opinion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Note: I am from Colorado Springs, an elderly man expecting a transition to my next phase in life. One day, it occurred to me that I need a plan. Where will I live when I need assistance? Duh. In November 2025, I started looking in the Springs, and being disappointed, soon shifted my attention to central Texas, where I have friends and the retirement community options are significantly more attractive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took a trip to the Austin area and spent two days visiting five retirement communities. Don’t misinterpret. I LOVE Colorado, and in particular, the beautiful city of Colorado Springs. My opinions may change as time moves on and I get closer to a simpler life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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on the way<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My friend Judy (from Round Rock) accompanied me to each Texas venue, using her superior intelligence and powers of observation to help me. The rental costs, deposits and other dollar amounts cited here are bound to increase. Occupancy rates mentioned are as of November 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To give you an idea of how the cost of health care compares to the projects below, here is a chart. Note that Assisted\/Independent living communities in the Austin area averaged $6,650 per month in 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My research says this $6,500\u00b1 monthly rental is in the ballpark. Newer and fancier places ask more. Plus, there is a widely variable entrance fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During my initial tours (appointments required), it became obvious that most retirement projects are a combo of Independent Living and Assisted Living residents (some have a memory care\/ nursing section also). Normally, Assisted and Independents reside in separate wings. I was surprised to discover that these disparate populations interact in most all public spaces and community activities, which are many and varied. The activity calendar is the beating heart of a retirement community. Dining rooms, cafes, workshops, fitness venues, media rooms and educational programs are all shared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there are two projects described below that include only 55+ Independent residents.<\/em><\/strong> You will note that they are my preference, until the sad day comes when I need daily help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas, Georgetown area (Central Texas, 25 miles north of Austin)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Touchmark at Georgetown (An Assisted\/Independent 55+ community)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

since 2025 (60%) 512 337-479260 Del Webb Boulevard, Georgetown, TX 78633. Mary Claire Campos 833-289-8795 (in 2026, Touchmark acquired and renamed The Hacienda)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Touchmark Positives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n