Wow, Weeble, you are so brave so be thinking along these lines.

I remember back in the "old neighborhood" that Tabbico had already made up her mind that she was going to retire on a cruise ship. Seriously!

She said it cost about the same as a retirement home. Also, you can have family visit once or twice a year for a really great rate.

I remember reading something about that!! Just get on that ship and never get off! With all the food they provide and the entertainment it sounds like a perfect alternative to a retirement community!

Thanks for the info. I'm not looking to go into a nursing home but was considering a facility for seniors that also takes some people who are disabled.

Frankly, I just make too much money to go into the ones locally. My rent would double and that's just not possible now.

I guess I will look for a new apartment without stairs and see what I can find. I am thinking about looking on craigslist even though I am not in a big city. I have seen some local places in there.

On paper I make good money but the fact is it's pretty much all spent with my rent, car, student loans, personal debt and other bills. I'm a teacher so I have to set aside money for the summer throughout the year.

We all know your dollar doesn't go as far as it used to even last month! Gas here is $4.10 and rising about every other day. I don't know how people on small budgets can even survive.

Sigh, thanks for the advice and such everyone!
Weebs37

Best of luck to you, Weeble. Looking for a first floor apartment seems like a good plan.

There are some things to consider.

My mom is now moving into a Senior housing center, for the disabled, and elderly. She was able to provide a letter from her MD that stated she did exercises at home, and needed equipment. (she is post polio syndrome) Because of that, she got a TWO bedroom apartment, for the same price as the ONE bedroom. It seems the one bedroom spots go quickly, and they tend to have less of a wait for the two bedroom ones. She is moving this week, so I dont know how it is for her but...

my DH aunt moved into a local place, and WOW the people on both sides of her smoke like freight trains! Her place stinks! the hall stinks. you can smell it seep under the sink where the plumbing comes through and in the potty under the sink where the plumbing comes through. She is not a smoker, and it pretty upset about all of her nice clothes and stuff now stinking. The management says unless those neighbors were on O2, its a free country, and they can smoke in their place if they want.

Most places offer a noon or dinner time meal in the communtiy center that is included in the rental. The good thing is that the rent is typically 30% of your income. You will have to pay for phone and cable usually. There are rides to and from most medical, and shopping places.

As with anything else in this life, it has good points, and bad points. I hope you are able to find a good one.

AMN - you nailed that so well, LOL! Fodder over Bingo...:Talkativ e:


Both my mom and MIL live in retirement villages. They are geared toward low income, and that may work against you now Weeble, but it would work for you later ( when you retire).

They adjust your rent for medical expenses - Mom's facility even allows non-prescription meds as a deductible.

I can't speak for MIL's facility, maybe because she does not prefer to be as involved we don't hear about any activities, or perhaps they don't have as many. But at my Mom's, they are always going somewhere. I hear about Mom's because she is the secretary and I type her minutes (scary thought!).

They take a trip every month or have an outing - Mud Hens ballgame or Eirie Street Market in the summer - and probably two onsite things a week . There's monthly Gv't food delivery, a bus you call 24 hrs in advance if you need a ride anywhere - used to be a buck, I think it's 2 now - monthly Bday brunch, holiday parties, etc.

All the outings are very low cost. I think the ballgame was $5, for a ride, ticket, hotdog and drink.

My mom is never home.