Buying into a retirement community can take a chunk out of your bank account. The price of the house is just one of the expenses. Then there are the homeowners association dues, activity fees, and possible entrance fees and monthly dues. Whether you’re looking for an independent living retirement community or a continuing-care one, here are three tips that may help make your move more affordable:

1. Consider Different Locations:

Just like other types of housing, prices for retirement communities depend in part on location. You may try a different city or even state. Taxes also vary by state, city and county. At the finance and business site Kiplinger.com, you can click through an interactive map to see property, sales and income taxes in areas you’re considering. They also list income-tax exemptions, pointing out that some states don’t tax some income from pensions, Social Security benefits or retirement savings.

One down side to moving away from your current city is you may be further from friends and family. This aspect should be weighed carefully. How important is having a solid support system nearby? Will you be lonely? If you eventually need in-home care, can you afford it without family taking on some of the duties?

2. Understand the difference between independent living and continuing-care retirement communities:

Retirement communities that offer assisted living and nursing home care when needed are called continuing-care retirement communities. These tend to be more expensive than communities that only include independent living.

3. Research reverse mortgages:

With reverse mortgages, some people 62 and older can get money out of the equity on their home. But one type of reverse mortgage in particular, called an HECM for purchase,loans you money to buy a home. You can read more about reverse mortgages in general at the website for the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reverse mortgages have strong down sides that need to be considered, so be sure to research your options carefully.