Where you live makes a difference in how you live – and that’s especially evident during your retirement years. While in the past, your “where to live” selection was based on job opportunity or family-friendliness (or both), choosing a place to live in retirement is your opportunity to choose a location that really inspires you on a personal level.
“What are the things you want to do in your retirement?” asks Laurie Ralston, Marketing Director at Kingswood Senior Living. “Do you want to be ideally located in an area where there’s lots to do? Have high-quality medical facilities nearby? A place where it’s easy to head out on adventures? Be near family? Or, do you want to be comfortably located near everything you enjoy in a city you already call home?”
The answer to all those questions are varied – but they will all be influenced in some way, by a particular location. So what does the “perfect” location mean for you? Here are a few things to consider as you’re searching for the right location for your retirement:
Why Location During Retirement Matters
What unique opportunities are nearby? What sort of activities and events are available on and off campus? What sort of museums, attractions, culture and cuisine does the location offer? We all have certain things we enjoy doing, and now that you’re retired, you have every opportunity to do them.
Where are medical services located? Obviously, as we age, our health can become more challenging, and it’s always important to be near a major medical center if an emergency arrives. Is the senior community you’re considering located close to a hospital or clinics? What are the hospital’s ratings? How quickly can you get assistance if it’s required?
Is it a fun place for your family to visit? Or is the community located near family? Many retirees want to retire near their family members, so they can be a part of their children’s or grandchildren’s lives on a regular basis. However, if you decide to choose a place away from family, is it a fun place for them to visit? Are there activities for a wide variety of ages? Is it easy for your family to get to?
Does it feel like “home?” This is a very personal question that only the individual can answer. However, it’s perhaps the most important point to consider. While many of us early on may have dreamed of retiring on a beach in Hawaii or another warm and exotic location, is it a place you really feel like you could spend the rest of your life? Is it a community and city where you feel comfortable? At the end of the day, you want your location to be a place you enjoy coming home to … and not a place you want to “get away from.”
Lots of Culture in Kansas City
For a long time, Kansas City has been one of the Midwest’s hidden gems – an up-and-coming urban metropolis that still retains a smaller-town feel (and a smaller-town cost of living). But this city is becoming not so secret, thanks to a booming tech sector, excellent pro sports, delicious barbecue and so much more. Recently ranked one of the top 150 Best Places to Live in the U.S., here are just a few reasons why this Midwest metro is quickly emerging as senior living’s sweet spot:
Museums galore. Kansas City has some unique and amazing museums that highlight aspects of our history that you won’t find anywhere else. The American Jazz Museum highlights this American-made music genre in one of the cities where it first blossomed. The National WWI Museum & Memorial is the only nationally recognized museum in America honoring those who fought in the Great War. Union Station is both a famous train station and a place where you can catch an IMAX movie, learn about KC’s railway history, explore Science City or take in a world-class touring exhibit. And that’s just scratching the surface – you don’t want to miss the amazing art you’ll discover at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, the Money Museum at the Federal Reserve and many, many more.
Art and culture. World-class music, theatre, opera, ballet and concerts are a regular occurrence in Kansas City. The gorgeous Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is home to the Kansas City Symphony and Kansas City Ballet. Starlight Theatre brings in big-name artists for concerts under the stars, and the Music Hall features the best of comedy acts, family-friendly shows and musicals.
Live music. Kansas City is one of the best places in the country for live music of all stripes, although jazz is, of course, one of the staples. The Blue Room Jazz Club showcases the “Kansas City Jazz” sound, as does the Green Lady Lounge and Black Dolphin. The Phoenix, The Majestic and other downtown hotspots are all great places to listen to some tunes, but do some digging and you’ll find amazing talent playing just about anywhere throughout the metro.
Pro sports. If you haven’t heard of the Kansas City Chiefs or the Kansas City Royals, you probably aren’t a big pro sports fan. These big-name teams have both won national championships recently, but they’re not the only sports teams to be cheering on. The Kansas City Mavericks (Hockey) and Sporting KC (Soccer) are both fan favorites, as well as many other teams in the area.
Barbecue. Sure, Austin and Memphis say their barbecue is the best, but Kansas City knows better. Every local has their favorite barbecue restaurant, whether it’s Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, Jack Stack Barbecue, Gates BBQ, Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, Zarda Bar-B-Q or one of the many other joints throughout the city.
“Whether you’re a native Kansas Citian or are considering our fair city because of all the great possibilities you’ll find here, Kingswood Senior Living is right in the middle of it all,” says Laurie. “Our community is conveniently located near I-435 and Wornall Road, in the heart of Kansas City, making it easy for our residents to get anywhere and everywhere they want to go. We invite you to visit our city – and our community – to see why so many people are choosing our location for their retirement lifestyle.”
Welcome to Kansas City’s Senior Living Sweet Spot.
Inspired senior living at Kingswood means living the retirement lifestyle you want – and deserve. We take care of most routine chores and maintenance, so you can keep enjoying all the things you love about living in Kansas City. And you have more time to try new things and have new adventures.
All of the activities and amenities are here to do more than just keep you busy. They’re here to enhance your whole life. It’s an intentional, holistic approach that helps you live healthier and happier. And, of course, you have plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the simple pleasures in life, like spending time with friends and family.
Our Life Plan Community offers all levels of care right on campus, from Independent Living and Assisted Living to Memory Support, Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care.
Because Kingswood is a Life Plan Community, you can enjoy your independent lifestyle now and be assured all levels of care are available on site when you need it, at a discounted rate for life. This is an outstanding senior living value because you are assured access to care in the comfort of familiar surroundings. When combined with our maintenance-provided lifestyle, a Life Plan Community represents an affordable option providing value beyond your current home and other senior living community offerings … and peace of mind for a lifetime.
Contact us today to schedule your personal visit. (816) 287-1053
