Home ▸ Blog ▸ How Many Square Feet Do I Need for My Senior Apartment?

For many Americans, bigger has always been better. After all, this is the country that brought you the McMansion, monster trucks, and the 64-ounce Big Gulp®. But when a bigger home no longer fits your lifestyle, it’s time to figure out what size is the right size for you.

There’s no magic formula, but there are questions to ask yourself that will give you a clearer picture of how many square feet you actually need in a senior apartment. Consider the following:

How much living space do you use now on a daily basis?

Most residents of senior living communities choose to live in an apartment home. Many have been empty nesters for years and have rooms in their house they don’t use anymore. When they stop to consider it, they may only live in a handful of rooms on a daily basis: the kitchen, a great room or living room, master bedroom, and office. How many rooms do you live in at your home? The answer can help you decide which floor plan fits you best.

What do you want to do in your new living space?

If you’re not planning on doing a lot of cooking in your apartment, a large kitchen doesn’t make much sense. Also, if you’re not expecting out-of-town guests very often, you probably don’t need a guest bedroom. Many communities, including Lakewood, offer guest rooms for overnight stays. Another way to think about a second bedroom is to turn it into a flex room. That way you’d have space to work, pursue your hobbies, and have room for the occasional guest.

What common spaces are available at the community?

Common spaces at a senior living community function as an extension of your apartment home. At Lakewood, for example, residents have access to dining venues (including a private dining room for special occasions), a library, gym, business center, game rooms, and gardening areas, to name just a few.

How much money do you want to spend?

It’s important to know what your budget is before you fall in love with a residence that’s not financially viable. If you’re moving to a Life Plan Community (sometimes called a continuing care retirement community or CCRC), there’ll be a one-time entrance payment and recurring monthly payments. Costs vary depending on the type of residence, number of occupants, type of agreement, and refund plan selected.

Need more information to plan your move?

For a closer look at our living options, including apartments, villas, cottages and Hybrid Homes, visit our Independent Living page, floor plans and photo gallery.

To see how your current monthly costs compare to the monthly cost at Lakewood, try our cost comparison calculator. It only takes a few minutes, and it’s completely confidential.

You can also find expert downsizing tips in our recent blog post. Even if you’re undecided about how much square footage you’ll need in your new apartment, it’s never too soon to start sorting your belongings.

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact us. We’re here to help you every step of the way.