The conversation around retirement—and retirement communities—is changing, with the best age to move into independent living skewing younger and younger as senior living communities evolve to cater to independent adults’ needs and desires for a truly carefree, worry-free retirement lifestyle.
Independent living residents who move in their 60s and early 70s—while they’re still healthy and have plenty of gas in the tank—flourish without the weight of homeownership, daily chores, and other responsibilities. Transitioning sooner also can support healthy, happy aging while providing social, intellectual, and cultural stimulation.
At Sagewood, early moves open the door to a more vibrant, connected lifestyle for younger independent individuals and couples!
What Independent Living Actually Means
Let’s clear something up right away—independent living for seniors isn’t assisted living and it certainly isn’t a nursing home. (Although, with Life Plan Communities like Sagewood, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, and short- and long-term skilled nursing services are available in different buildings or neighborhoods within the same community). Independent residential living also differs from 55+ active adult communities in a few important ways.
Here’s what true independent senior living is:
- A lifestyle choice for healthy, mobile adults who just want life to be easier and more fun
- Maintenance-free housing where someone else handles the roof leaks, lawn care, and furnace repairs
- Built-in social opportunities without forced participation
- Amenities like fitness centers, dining options, movie theaters, pubs, woodworking shops, indoor and/or outdoor pools (Sagewood has both!), and on-site parking for personal vehicles
- The freedom to come and go as you please—the ultimate lock-and-leave lifestyle
When Should You Actually Consider the Move?
Minimum age requirements are typically 62 or 65, but it’s never too early to plan. Many active seniors are deciding the best age to move into independent living is their late 60s to mid-70s. The ideal timing, of course, is personal.
Signs you may be ready for an independent living community:
- You’re canceling trips because you’re worried about who’ll water the plants or check on the house
- Home maintenance tasks are piling up, and you’d rather be doing literally anything else
- Your social calendar has more blank spaces than it used to, and you’re feeling it
- You catch yourself thinking, “I should really get out more,” but then … you don’t
- The stairs are fine now, but you’re already planning around them
5 Advantages of Moving Sooner Rather Than Later
1. Maintain Independence Longer
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Early movers have the freedom to fully enjoy fitness classes, wellness programs, and daily activities that strengthen mobility and confidence.
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Staying active keeps bodies loose and limber, strong and balanced.
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Independent living helps you maintain your lifestyle, not change it.
2. Reduce Stress from Home Maintenance & Daily Responsibilities
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No more climbing ladders, scheduling repairs, or juggling contractors.
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Housekeeping, maintenance, and even cooking become optional.
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With fewer obligations, you can focus on hobbies, travel, relationships, and personal goals.
3. Enhance Social Life & Avoid Loneliness
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Built-in opportunities to make new friends through shared interests, clubs, and events.
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A supportive community environment helps prevent the isolation that often occurs when aging in place.
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Social engagement boosts emotional well-being and keeps life meaningful.
4. Improve Health & Increase Longevity
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A lifestyle centered around movement, purpose, and connection has documented health benefits.
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Access to exercise classes, nutritious dining, and group activities fuels long-term wellness.
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Community living supports stronger physical, mental, and emotional health.
5. Enjoy a More Confident, Smoother Transition
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Moving earlier allows plenty of time to settle in, build friendships, and personalize your routine.
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You’re adapting on your own terms—not under pressure.
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This leads to higher satisfaction and a more enjoyable experience from day one.
Why Sagewood Is the Ideal Place to Thrive
At Sagewood, the best age to move into independent living is simply the age when you’re ready to live life with more freedom and fewer limitations.
The community offers:
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Resort-style amenities and thoughtfully designed residences
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A dynamic social calendar full of clubs, events, and learning opportunities
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Exceptional dining that turns cooking into a choice—not a necessity
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Wellness programs, fitness spaces, and walking paths that encourage daily activity
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A warm, welcoming community where new friendships form naturally
Waiting until you absolutely need to move? That’s crisis planning. Moving while you’re healthy enough to dive into everything the community offers now (while locking in care options for down the road)? That’s life planning. Our Sagewood Life Plan Community can help.
Ready to See if Now Is Your Best Age to Move Into Independent Living in Phoenix, AZ?
Explore Sagewood and discover how its vibrant, supportive community makes independent living both fulfilling and enriching. Schedule your visit today.
