55+ Communities (Smyrna, Millsboro: cost of, vs., mold)

[Charley]

Originally Posted by DeeD

Hi Charley: I am happy to hear that the Smyrna Diner is still in existence. It has been there so long it seems like a Landmark. Thanks for the link.

We like the Mayfair as well, but I am interested in seeing a Palmer, just for the heck of it. This site is great for finding out information. Thanks!

My pleasure.

One of the other communities built by Hovnanian (the Roesville builder) just added three new models, all of which are less expensive than the others they were offering. Maybe they will do the same for Roesville. That would make the choices quite interesting.

[sanddollar]

Originally Posted by Charley

Maybe they will do the same for Roesville. That would make the choices quite interesting.

If they do, I sure hope they don't scrimp on the quality. I was very impressed by what I've seen down there. However....if we don't get our house sold any time soon, and the home values around here keep dropping, we won't be able to afford anything but a tent in front of their clubhouse.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by sanddollar

If they do, I sure hope they don't scrimp on the quality. I was very impressed by what I've seen down there. However....if we don't get our house sold any time soon, and the home values around here keep dropping, we won't be able to afford anything but a tent in front of their clubhouse.

I've had long conversations with them about the process they use to hire their workers and the companies who are allowed to do work on their homes. They stress quality in every phase of the operation. I cannot imagine they would skimp.

When I looked at a few of the models that were under construction, I noticed a few things that, once finished, you'd never see - but knowing they are part of the construction made me feel quite comfortable.

[DeeD]

Originally Posted by Charley

My pleasure.

One of the other communities built by Hovnanian (the Roesville builder) just added three new models, all of which are less expensive than the others they were offering. Maybe they will do the same for Roesville. That would make the choices quite interesting.

It sure would. The more choices the better, especially if they are less expensive with the Hovnanian name.

[SerenityWriter]

My wife and I have looked at a number of DE 55+ communities, both land-lease and traditional and will probably include a stop at Southern Meadows next week on our way back from vacation. We've seen the website and read the posts here about Southern Meadows. It looks like it's not too far from Champion's Club and we've looked at that several times, so we know a little bit about Magnolia.

The Southern Meadows website suggests an average utility bill of about $175 per month. I'm wondering how close that is for those actually living there. Yes, I know we all use different amounts of gas/electric, but just looking for an idea of whether or not $175 is realistic. And, is that for both gas and electric? I'm asking because we actually pay less than that now for an all-electric 1700 square foot home in Maryland.

We're also wondering if there are many couples in Southern Meadows in the low end of the 55+ age range. We're doing an early semi-retirement and want to continue working at least part time. Being the youngest (chronologically, anyway) wouldn't be a bad thing. We're just wondering if others have moved to Southern Meadows shortly after being eligible age-wise to move there.

Thanks and regards, Frank

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by SerenityWriter

My wife and I have looked at a number of DE 55+ communities, both land-lease and traditional and will probably include a stop at Southern Meadows next week on our way back from vacation. We've seen the website and read the posts here about Southern Meadows. It looks like it's not too far from Champion's Club and we've looked at that several times, so we know a little bit about Magnolia.

The Southern Meadows website suggests an average utility bill of about $175 per month. I'm wondering how close that is for those actually living there. Yes, I know we all use different amounts of gas/electric, but just looking for an idea of whether or not $175 is realistic. And, is that for both gas and electric? I'm asking because we actually pay less than that now for an all-electric 1700 square foot home in Maryland.

We're also wondering if there are many couples in Southern Meadows in the low end of the 55+ age range. We're doing an early semi-retirement and want to continue working at least part time. Being the youngest (chronologically, anyway) wouldn't be a bad thing. We're just wondering if others have moved to Southern Meadows shortly after being eligible age-wise to move there.

Thanks and regards, Frank

Hi frank.

I live in Southern Meadows. You really get a bang for you buck here which is why we choose this place.
We wanted a nice place with all trimmings so this was it for us. In order for me to retire and live the good life we needed to find the best deal.
DH and I wanted it all. None of the work and all of the fun. LOL!!

I can tell you my elec this month was $125 and my gas $12.00. Water ever three months runs about $40 a month with summer usage.

There are a few couples in the early 50's but the majority are over 60.
We are a good group though. Fun every day!!

[little eggplant]

SerenityWriter,

Good morning, Frank - good question! I, too, am over 55 but not yet 60, while hubby is older. I, too, would like to get a PT job in the area. As a registered nurse, I do not anticipate having trouble.

But you bring up an interesting point about us "younger" people. We are going down to DE next month for multiple visits to 55+ communities and of course want to see the people who live there and how active they seem. I have no qualms about not fitting in. My one problem is we do not have children and I know kiddies and grandkids are constant conversation topics among older people.

Little has been mentioned about age-related topics. Seems the big topic has always been the houses and what they were like and the community as well, which it should be as that is the HUGE purchase in your life. But the people you live next to and interract with are important, too.

Maybe others can weigh in on this topic.....

[Honeycrisp]

little eggplant, I would hope there's many topics of conversation other than children and grandchildren in 55+ communities. While I'm sure it inevitably does come up, there's probably many other topics as well. Friends moved to a very large 55+ community in another state - there's a ton of activities where they live, some of which they partake and others of which they don't. For example, not knowing a soul when they first moved in, the people they met there became their friends thru the activities they joined - they have their neighborhood friends, their friends thru the husband's softball team or thru his golfing, friends thru her water-aerobic group or the dogpark they joined etc. Some they've traveled with and some they've played cards with or gone out to eat with (separately, her w/ the girls for lunch or both of them w/ other couples). Everyone's situation is different (insofar as kids etc), I'm sure it's touched on and maybe more so than usual around holidays which is probably natural but there's a lot of other things they have in common. I too would hope that we'd have friendly neighbors with whom to interact and socialize v cliques but there's really no way of predicting it ahead of time, we would just hope for the best like most others would.

SerenityWriter wondered about the age differences. We all know some people are youthful at 75 and others are old at 55 so age is just a number - but generally I think that when one is buying into a newer neighborhood or development, most the buyers tend to be on the younger side - in older sections and in older communities, most tend to be older - JMO.

[DeeD]

Originally Posted by Honeycrisp

little eggplant, I would hope there's many topics of conversation other than children and grandchildren in 55+ communities. While I'm sure it inevitably does come up, there's probably many other topics as well. Friends moved to a very large 55+ community in another state - there's a ton of activities where they live, some of which they partake and others of which they don't. For example, not knowing a soul when they first moved in, the people they met there became their friends thru the activities they joined - they have their neighborhood friends, their friends thru the husband's softball team or thru his golfing, friends thru her water-aerobic group or the dogpark they joined etc. Some they've traveled with and some they've played cards with or gone out to eat with (separately, her w/ the girls for lunch or both of them w/ other couples). Everyone's situation is different (insofar as kids etc), I'm sure it's touched on and maybe more so than usual around holidays which is probably natural but there's a lot of other things they have in common. I too would hope that we'd have friendly neighbors with whom to interact and socialize v cliques but there's really no way of predicting it ahead of time, we would just hope for the best like most others would.

SerenityWriter wondered about the age differences. We all know some people are youthful at 75 and others are old at 55 so age is just a number - but generally I think that when one is buying into a newer neighborhood or development, most the buyers tend to be on the younger side - in older sections and in older communities, most tend to be older - JMO.

When you move into a 55+ community, of course it is the luck of the draw, whom you'll be living next to. Hoping that you will be compatible, but if not, a hello will suffice and with most of the communities being rather large (400 homes give or take) I am sure you will be compatible to quite a few people. Especially if you share some mutual interests.

[Honeycrisp]

Originally Posted by DeeD

When you move into a 55+ community, of course it is the luck of the draw, whom you'll be living next to. Hoping that you will be compatible, but if not, a hello will suffice and with most of the communities being rather large (400 homes give or take) I am sure you will be compatible to quite a few people. Especially if you share some mutual interests.

Right - and I would think most people would put their best foot (feet - ?!) forward - everyone's in the same boat and wants a good transition, compatibility etc, something definitely to look forward to