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Some communities are sort of like all-inclusive vacations. You pay for the whole shebang in your HOA dues, whether you use it or not. Others are more like "a la carte". You pay low HOA dues and then pay for amenities separately...such as recreation/gym membership, dock fees, golf fees, etc.
I like to think of it like a restaurant, do you want to pay for the all you can eat buffet if you're only hungry for a lite lunch? And what if you are more active in your early retirement and as your health goes downhill and you no longer use those amenities? You don't want to be stuck having to pay for them.
The problem is that you limit yourself to a minority of the places if you insist on true a la ca carte pricing. I don't have hard numbers but IME most places it's all or nothing with one major qualifier - I don't consider an optional golf membership "a la carte". A few places do have pool and tennis clubs separate. But if they have a nice club house and enough activities that there is an organizer, expect the dues to reflect it. One caution about places that have tennis and/or swimming clubs as an option; sometimes they are open to anyone to join. There is a development near me that does that and a few people who live there are not real happy about it. The pool is a lot more crowded than you would expect from the size of the development.
A la carte places are harder to find, and many are not true 55+ (I actually prefer that it's not), it just works out that most residents are retirees. Many of the true 55+ places (Del Webb, etc.) are way too rigid and "in your business" for us. We've already found our spot and are enjoying it very much.
I got a real charge out of the OP first post and others who answered her with tongue in cheek.
I am loving retirement and I cannot for the life of me imagine myself "obeying" active vs active. I had to obey enough while working for a living. This is my time and I'm going to enjoy it any way I want to. I almost never commit to any thing because I might not like it after a month or 6.
There are those who like structure, there are those (me) who do not.
I think you need a place that has activities that you like close. If that is a 55+ community great.
You always can say no. You are not work anymore, you don't have to say yes just because someone
asks. I think is it more do I like the community, is it close to shopping, restaurants? Nice neighborhood
with no drug dealers living next to you, barking dogs? Those are some of the things I consider. For most
of us, we do need activity to keep active and enjoy retirement.
I got a real charge out of the OP first post and others who answered her with tongue in cheek.
I am loving retirement and I cannot for the life of me imagine myself "obeying" active vs active. I had to obey enough while working for a living. This is my time and I'm going to enjoy it any way I want to. I almost never commit to any thing because I might not like it after a month or 6.
There are those who like structure, there are those (me) who do not.
Do your own thing and have fun!
I think the OP intended the post as "tongue in cheek" didn't she?
I think the OP intended the post as "tongue in cheek" didn't she?
I think the tone was light but the desire for discussion was real. I could be wrong.
BTW, despite some of my earlier comments, I will be looking at places that have some level of activities; club house with some social nights, pool and a pier (I fish; not hung up on whether it is just a large pond or access to an inlet, but definitely want to be able to walk to a fishing spot). I would not be at all interested in subsidizing someone else's greens fees. Tennis courts are okay as long as I am not paying for a tennis pro. My point was and is that you need to try to find what you want without paying for too much extra.
I think the tone was light but the desire for discussion was real. I could be wrong.
BTW, despite some of my earlier comments, I will be looking at places that have some level of activities; club house with some social nights, pool and a pier (I fish; not hung up on whether it is just a large pond or access to an inlet, but definitely want to be able to walk to a fishing spot). I would not be at all interested in subsidizing someone else's greens fees. Tennis courts are okay as long as I am not paying for a tennis pro. My point was and is that you need to try to find what you want without paying for too much extra.
I agree with you CarvedTones. We need to think about what we are getting into before we get into it. I can't afford expensive entertainment of any kind, so will be checking out free or cheap.
I also agree that she may be wanting a serious conversation. I didn't see that at first because I thought she did a really funny post. But people sometimes hide behind funny.
Since you have a little anxiety about this decision, take your time. Do due diligence, and be sure to visit at all times of the day.
I don't know what the differences are that you are concerned about, but you could always give yourself a year in retirement to figure out how you are likely to go.
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