After downsizing, should you buy or rent?
I grew up in a Red Sox household. The mere sight of the Yankees’ logo caused a gag reflex until my early 30s when I realized just how ridiculous that was. People tend to have similar feelings about renting vs. owning a home. They pick a side and stick with it. Logic be damned. For retirees, there are many more fans of owning than there are of renting, with Vanguard estimating... READ MORE
Best states to live as a retiree in the U.S.
Florida, Colorado and Virginia top the list of the best places to retire in the U.S. in 2024, according to a new survey from WalletHub. The survey compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators — from tax rates and the cost of living, to access to quality medical care and fun activities. Regardless of the reason for moving in retirement — living closer to family,... READ MORE
Methods to fund long-term care at home
Several years ago, when I was helping care for my parents toward the end of their lives, they were adamant they wanted to stay in their home for as long as possible. I quickly realized we would need lots of help to honor their wishes. Finding quality and reliable in-home long-term care (LTC) was expensive, but fortunately, they had the resources to pay for it. Witnessing how... READ MORE
Kitchen modifications for aging in place
Dear Savvy Senior, My 77-year-old mother, who loves to cook, has had several kitchen-related accidents over the past year. What tips can you recommend for making a kitchen safer and more practical for people like her without doing a big, expensive remodel? —Inquiring Daughter Dear Inquiring, There are a number of small improvements and simple modifications you ... READ MORE
Consider an electric leaf blower (or rake)
When I was a kid, I used to help my mother clear leaves the old-fashioned way — with a rake. These days, I don’t see many rakes in my neighborhood. It seems everyone has a leaf blower or a landscaper who uses one, often at ungodly hours, which disrupts humans as well as wildlife. The near-constant cacophony has led many communities around the country to restrict or completely... READ MORE
How to save on energy bills: Get an audit
With extremes of weather and inflation hitting your budget — not least the rapidly rising energy costs — you may want to reduce your utility bills. To maximize savings and increase your comfort, an energy audit — a.k.a. a whole-house assessment — and home retrofit may be in order. Think of an energy audit as a physical for your home. Are you suffering from any of these common ... READ MORE
DC Housing News October 2024
Chef at Falcons Landing wins top award Falcons Landing, a nonprofit Life Plan Community in Potomac Falls, Virginia, has won an award for its cuisine. Its executive chef, Jeffrey Potter, was named the Best Chef in Loudoun County as part of the Loudoun Times-Mirror’s Best of Loudoun contest in June. This isn’t the first award for Falcons Landing; it has received many since... READ MORE
Celebrating holidays in a new community
When some people consider moving to a retirement community, they worry that the holidays won’t be the same. No yard decorations, no parties, no feasts at the dining room table. As communities in the area gear up for Thanksgiving and the December holidays, though, there’s plenty of reason for cheer. From “ugly sweater parties” to early-bird New Year’s Eve parties, there are... READ MORE
Retire abroad to broaden your horizons
[The following is an excerpt from the just-published book, At Home Abroad: Retire Big on Little, by former Baltimorean Kathleen Peddicord.] Traditionally, retirement has been about withdrawing from the rest of the world and a formerly busy life. I’ve never understood why anyone would want to do that. After decades of working hard, paying taxes, raising kids, and deferring what you... READ MORE
DC Housing News July 2024
Erickson community opens in Fairfax, VA Erickson Senior Living opened its new independent living community, Woodleigh Chase, in March. Located in Fairfax, Virginia, on Braddock Road, the 42-acre campus includes a 43,000-square-foot clubhouse and two five-story independent living residence buildings with one- and two-bedroom apartments. The units offer a private outdoor space with a... READ MORE
Housing 2024
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