55+ Communities (shops, manufactured, retire)

[Charley]

They really are something. If I still had my hard copy of the brochure, I'd send it to you. Maybe they have one at their site that is downloadable?

[cant wait to retire]

We're just starting our retirement location selection process and are going to Lancaster County, PA over Labor Day weekend. We plan a trip to DE in October or November. It appears that DE is going to be less expenses to buy into and for monthly expenses than PA - anyone care to share your opinion on this? Also we'd love some suggestions on which communities to start with in DE. Unfortunately we need to look at lower-end communities; as probably happened to most of you, our retirement funds and the equity in our home have dropped by about half in the past year so we are in the process of hugely scaling down our retirement expectations! But it's O.K. - we're in good health and that the most important blessing we can have! Glad I happend on this site....have already read some very helpful information!

[elizamary]

Hi Can't wait to retire.

You sound like me three years ago. We also looked into lancaster and Honeybrook. Being natives of Pa..we really wanted to stay in PA. If I continued to work.....we could have but I wanted to retire in the worse way. Especially since my husband was diagnoised with parkisons. We wanted to have to do fun things without being committed to a job.
De definately gives you a bang for you buck. A big difference in price of a home in Pa and DE. Also......taxes....another big difference.

3 years ago there werent' as many communities to choose from and we had narrowed it down to Susex west, Bon Ayre and Southern Meadow.
We not reside in Southern Meadow and no regrets. They gave us the best price for a home and lot rent.
If you dont' want lot rent.......there are many other communities where you own the home but you will pay $100 more for the home if you buy the land and have taxes on top of that as well. If we bought into a land owned community..we'd be house poor and didn't want that.
It's a person choice and whatever suits your needs and wants.

Good luck!!!

[little eggplant]

Welcome cant wait to retire

I also just found this board in the last 2 months and found a wealth of info. This is what you should do: get a big mug of coffee, a pad of paper and a pencil, and sit down for at least an hour or two and read every single post on this 55+ thread. It is laborious but you will get a chuckle or two along the way. Most importantly, you will get names and places to consider, to NOT consider, and generally helpful advice. Nothing takes the place of actual visits (everything looks good on paper!) which is why research first and travel second will really help you to make a decision. We are going to DE next month armed with appointments to see places, lists of questions to ask, and an open mind to absorb it all. Good luck.....

[Charley]

Originally Posted by little eggplant

Welcome cant wait to retire

I also just found this board in the last 2 months and found a wealth of info. This is what you should do: get a big mug of coffee, a pad of paper and a pencil, and sit down for at least an hour or two and read every single post on this 55+ thread. It is laborious but you will get a chuckle or two along the way. Most importantly, you will get names and places to consider, to NOT consider, and generally helpful advice. Nothing takes the place of actual visits (everything looks good on paper!) which is why research first and travel second will really help you to make a decision. We are going to DE next month armed with appointments to see places, lists of questions to ask, and an open mind to absorb it all. Good luck.....

Welcome "Can't Wait". Little Eggplant's advice was right on the money! And when it comes to asking questions, be sure you write down the answers! You'll get so much information that remembering it all can be a challenge!

I think I've done all the research I need to do to make my decision, and yet I'm still planning on returning to Delaware in December because there's still more to check out ... and I'll also get to visit with some friends who I met through this very forum!

[elizamary]

Hi Little Eggplant.....

I see you live in Maine. I spent a lot of time up there this past year visiting my daughter. She lived on the coast.

For anyone looking to retire it's a big decsion and a very exciting one too. going to open up many wonderful doors to walk through!!!
I just wish everyone the bests and Bill and I have had. Sometimes......I need to pinch myself to make sure I"m not dreaming.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by Charley

Welcome "Can't Wait". Little Eggplant's advice was right on the money! And when it comes to asking questions, be sure you write down the answers! You'll get so much information that remembering it all can be a challenge!

I think I've done all the research I need to do to make my decision, and yet I'm still planning on returning to Delaware in December because there's still more to check out ... and I'll also get to visit with some friends who I met through this very forum!

Charley.........Bill and I are so looking forward to seeing you and your better half in Dec.
Gettting together is a definate. Can't wait

[Charley]

Originally Posted by elizamary

Charley.........Bill and I are so looking forward to seeing you and your better half in Dec.
Gettting together is a definate. Can't wait

Same here! Save our table at Country Eaterie?

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by Charley

Same here! Save our table at Country Eaterie?

There is already a seat with your name on it

[cant wait to retire]

Hi and thanks to everyone for your remarks! Well, we just got back from four beautiful days in PA checking out retirement areas there. The one neighborhood we liked and could afford (Brookshire in Manheim) only has 11 lots left so the neighborhood will be completed before we can move. They would only hold a lot till a completion date of 12/10. We're now excited to check out DE so we're changing the itinerary for a trip to CT to see my daughter at the end of the month and we're coming back through DE. We're going to be in our camper, staying at Dover AFB. We'll be in DE Thursday and Friday, October 1-2 and possibly Saturday the 3rd. I've been doing my homework and think I've located most of the lower end 55+ neighborhoods - which all seem to be (not surprising!) land-lease communities. Brookshire in PA is also land-lease. I understand and appreciate the concept but my husband is not so sure it's such a great deal so any thoughts/comments you have that I can share with him will be appreciated! If any of you can recommend places for us to visit please let us know. I'm working up a list and I'll post it for your comments/reviews. Thanks - I'm really enjoying the blog and everyone's comments.