If you are one of the 30-million active-aging population who live in a retirement community, you likely enjoy a high standard of living. With all the amenities available, living independently as you grow older can be the best part of your life.
Moving to a retirement village does require some tradeoffs. There is a degree of downsizing for many senior adults, and it’s important to find the right way to store items that don’t fit into the retirement community, such as watercraft. Unless you live in a highly specialized community, one of the things you’ll need to explore is where to store a boat.
This article will provide advice on where to store your boat to keep it secure, maintained, and ready for you to use.
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Storage Options for Senior Adults
One of the most important aspects of storing your belongings when you live in a retirement community is convenience. You want to make sure the storage facility you select is close enough for you to visit frequently. In the case of a boat storage facility, this is especially important.
You’ll also want to identify potential boat storage facilities that are near a body of water. Transporting a boat from the storage center to a lake or bay can be an inconvenience. Look for storage options near your favorite boating location.
Where to Store a Boat – Indoors or Outdoors
If you live in a retirement community, the right boat storage facility will determine how easily you can enjoy using your boat. You can choose to store your boat indoors or outdoors.
Storing a boat outdoors at a marina near your retirement community is a popular option. It’s less expensive than indoor boat rack storage. This option is ideal if you want to save some money or if you don’t mind transporting your boat from a storage lot to the water.
Storing a boat indoors costs more, but it does provide more protection for your craft. Most indoor boat storage centers use large racks inside a building to hold your boat until you are ready to use it. You can also pay for optional maintenance and upkeep services.
Learn the pros and cons of indoor vs. outdoor boat storage here.
Where to Retire if You Own a Boat
If you haven’t yet moved to a retirement community and you’re still researching your options, consider moving to a city where boating is popular. Destin, Florida has a temperate climate year-round, and its Gulf of Mexico location makes it easy to find indoor or outdoor boat storage.
Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, is a popular retirement destination for boaters. With the largest human-made lake in the United States, it’s a great place to explore the waterways during your free time.
Chattanooga, Tennessee, is another popular option for retirees. It’s received multiple livability awards, has a low average cost of living, and access to many boat storage facilities along the Tennessee River and nearby lakes.
Enjoy Your Retirement
Part of the joys of retirement is being able to spend time doing the things you love. If boating is a passion, knowing where to store a boat when you move to a retirement community is essential.
Find a storage location that is convenient to access from your home and near a body of water. Consider whether the savings of outdoor boat storage outweighs the security and extra features of indoor boat storage. If you haven’t already moved into a retirement community, research boating-friendly areas of the country that provide a high quality of life in retirement.
For more senior living tips and advice to help you enjoy your retirement, explore the rest of our site.