We all think about moving into a Senior Residence one day but many of us keep saying, "Not yet."

We like living independently in a neighborhood with "diversity" rather than one filled with only seniors. We aren't sure we can adjust to the regimen of "community living."

But don't knock it 'till you've tried it. A recent New York Times article came up with a concept we never thought of.

Go for an "overnight" stay, "Like a College Visit, Minus the Keg," read the headline.

And it makes a very good case for "trying before buying" --because we all know the "buying" can be horrendously expensive, and once you've made that move it's hard to undo it.
 
This blog has written about several Senior Residence representatives' visits to our Widows List group meetings. And I've visited several residences. I found each one very pleasant but couldn't imagine living in any of them. But now I may get another view with an overnight visit.

Most of these places are desperate for new residents, says the article. The recession has hit this real estate market too. For a small fee (or free at some places) you can move in for a day or two and have a real understanding of life there. You can join a bridge game,  meet and eat with residents, watch a film, hear a lecture, or be taken on a group shopping trip to a nearby mall. There is no end to the available activities. Most people I talked with claimed they haven't  enough hours in the day to join everything they'd like to.

I'll  give it a try one of these weekends and  report back to you.