What's The Difference Between a Senior Cohousing Community & Retirement Community?

Part of retirement planning might be choosing where you’d like to age in place. If you’ve considered moving to a community setting, then you may have come across some options that sound pretty similar. Two popular choices that may sound alike are cohousing and retirement communities. Let’s talk about the differences.

What Is a Senior Cohousing Community?

A senior cohousing community is a private community where residents live in clusters of homes close to one another. Also known as “intentional neighborhoods,” this retirement lifestyle is built on residential participation, friendship, and inclusion. Cohousing embraces community involvement as a lifestyle.

What Is a Retirement Community?

A retirement community is a suburban neighborhood that offers senior-friendly housing to 55-plus adults. Retirement communities feature maintenance-free living for seniors who are capable of living independently. Often referred to as active adult communities, they’re perfect for those looking to stay active, social, and create friendships.

What’s The Difference?

Both senior cohousing communities and retirement communities feature some shared space, social activities, and a senior-friendly lifestyle. However, there are a couple of notable differences; probably the largest being how each is organized, maintained, and managed. A traditional retirement community is built and managed by a company. Employees provide maintenance and organize social and recreational activities for residents. In a cohousing community, residents self-manage. Neighbors decide what to do, when to do it, and who will do it.

Another difference is that cohousing communities largely rely on eco-friendly practices. They’re self-sustaining and energy efficient. Residents grow food and often raise animals like chickens. Everyone pitches in and shares resources. In a retirement community, it’s more about convenience and simplicity, with an emphasis on amenities and leisure.