CCRC Guide: Guide>Time to visit some CCRCs>SINGLE UNIT VERSUS MULTIPLE UNIT HOUSING

Versus

There are many types of housing units to choose from in CCRCs, such as houses, cottages, villas, or apartments. Which is best for you?

Single-unit housing, such as a house or cottage

You have no connecting neighbors, except when the units are townhouses, duplexes, or triplexes.
You have more privacy. You can walk out your front door for a walk or go somewhere without meeting one or more people outside your door.
You may have a garage or carport and maybe a storage room at the end of the carport for storage, tools, gardening supplies, etc. Having your vehicle under cover is a definite plus. You can easily bring in shopping items.
If someone in your neighborhood has a fire alarm activation, you probably won't know it.
If you like gardening, depending on the CCRC rules, you can do some minor landscaping.
It's easier to walk the dog and you may even have a fenced yard.

Roofs. Each unit has its own roof and associated problems. You will have to deal with the CCRC bureaucracy when needing repairs or replacements.
Pests, Just as they were in your previous house, pests are a problem.
Even with the CCRC's weekly cleaning, you find yourself doing many of the cleaning chores you had in your previous home.
You must walk or drive to the locations of the CCRC's amenities, which can be a chore, especially during inclement weather.

When all the units are connected to the main buildings that contain all the amenities, you don't need to go outside in inclement weather.
If are a social person, you meet people every time you step out your front door; you cannot avoid meeting people, even the ones you would rather avoid.

You are surrounded by neighbors; every time you step out your front door you will probably meet one or more of them. This means everyone knows about your life.
Walking the dog is more complicated, especially in foul weather. since you usually cannot let the dog out the back door. In multiple-unit housing, you have to get fully dressed and walk through hallways and lobbies to get outside.
If a fire alarm activates in an apartment, all the fire alarms in the building activate.
Depending on the construction of the building, unwanted sounds may be a problem.