Rather than continuing in a single family home, those of retirement age can choose to reside in a retirement community setting . While some of these communities can be expensive, it is possible to find affordable retirement communities with a little smart shopping. The first thing you should do is figure out what kind of living arrangement you need. There are different kinds of communities based on different needs. They include active, active and supportive, and supportive. The differences between these types of communities is the amount of on site assistance and care provided.