Your kids are out of the home. You are fully retired, or perhaps working somewhere a few hours a week just so you can keep yourself busy. You want to travel, or at least have that option. That home maintenance you used to relish? Not so much anymore. For many people, the senior years mark a time of changes. Many want to simplify things so they can focus on the good things in life.

That is why many active senior citizens decide to live in lofts or condos.

In many cases, there are buildings specifically for seniors. Or if they are not meant just for seniors, many have senior-dominated resident populations. A good real estate agent will be able to point you in the right direction. Of course, some seniors have no interest in living only with other seniors and may want to live in a downtown-type condo that generally would cater to a younger crowd.

So why might active senior citizens choose to live in a loft or condo? There are a few reasons:

Activities
If you choose a building that is home to many other seniors, there very well may be organized activities that cater to seniors. Those include activities like book clubs, card games and movies. There also may be designated social spots and times.

Fitness
Maintaining their physical health is important to many active seniors. The fitness rooms and pools that are relatively common features at many condo buildings makes doing so easy. Plus, outside of your association fee, which covers such amenities, there is no membership fee that you would pay to join a gym.

Relax
Perhaps the top reason seniors choose condos or lofts is because of the reduced maintenance. There is no lawn to mow or driveway to shovel. There is no need to worry whether the bushes need trimming, or the house needs painting. The association takes care of all such maintenance, giving seniors more time to focus on enjoying life. In addition, many seniors choose condos or lofts that are smaller than their original house, so keeping their homes clean is not as time-consuming.

Community
Seniors who choose to live in places where lots of other seniors live often develop a strong sense of community. That is not surprising, given that they share many spaces with other people, and that they probably have even more opportunity for conversation than people who live in a neighborhood of single-family homes.

Options
There are condo and loft buildings in a wide variety of urban areas. Some are right in the middle of the downtown hustle and bustle, while others are further away but still provide convenient access to the downtown arts, restaurants and sporting events that many seniors particularly enjoy.