retirement communities (55, physically, weather, moving)

[SANDYHAIR]

I thought we were going to move to an active adult retirement community .But after looking around for a few years we choose not to at this point we brought a new home again and were going to enjoy it for a few years and then go to a smaller home I'm 55 and hubby is 62 But I just could not find a place I loved in an area we really loved there were some nice community's but most were a little out of the way so maybe down the road i'll be ready but for now were very happy with our choice. I bet there our more couples like us .out there. ready but not really ready lol BUT TO ALL LOOKING GOOD LUCK

[sweetana3]

There are lots of us out there. We are similiar and thought the active community would be nice but they were not located in great places. We can get a less expensive but just as nice a home and join a couple of sports facilities for less and closer in to the community.

Location was more important than any one community. The Del Webb around here built way way out in the country (land was cheap). Prices have been reduced, lots sizes are miniscule, and population too small right now for things like clubs and classes. So my urban home is just fine.

[LauraC]

These are general questions for discussion.

1) What do you think the value of homes (in an age restricted master planned community built today) will be in 20 years? In other words, what is the future of these communities? Will they be attractive 20 years down the road or will the next generation of retirees be looking for a different way of living and these homes will be hard to sell?


2) With all of the new building going on in these communities, is it hard now to sell a lived-in home within the community? That is, if people can buy new homes in the community are they buying older ones in the community? (This is less of a discussion question and more of a "does anyone have experience with this" question)


3) Will these communities have to lift the age restriction in order to sell lived-in homes when the boomer generation makes way for Generation X retirees simply because there are less of them? In other words, if you buy in at the end of the boomer generation might you or your heir be stuck with a house that's hard to sell unless they lift the community's age restriction in order to have a bigger market to sell to and then how would the then older boomer generation still living there feel?


4) How do you feel about living someplace where there are rules about what colors you put on the inside and outside of your home, what kind of flowers, bushes and trees you can plant in your garden, what kind of lawn ornaments you can have, what kind of lawn/grass you can have, how many pets you can have and in some places what kind of pets you can have, the number of days your grandchildren can visit, what you can't do in your driveway (like fix/wash a car), having to register visitors so people know who is visiting you and how many days they stay, etc.?

[esselcue]

I think it's just a personal thing. I am retiring as a single lady and have not given one moment of thought to moving to a retirement community. I have always lived in my own home and had a bit of land around me and I plan to downsize a bit after I retirement but I will still need my space and my privacy. Plus...who wants to be surrounded by old people? (tee hee hee)

[nancy thereader]

What do you think the value of homes (in an age restricted master planned community built today) will be in 20 years? In other words, what is the future of these communities? Will they be attractive 20 years down the road or will the next generation of retirees be looking for a different way of living and these homes will be hard to sell?

I would bet that places like The Villages will be totally emptied out in twenty years. I really do not see them as a place for people our age.

[MN2CO]

When my parents went to AZ each winter it was party party - and I eventually got them to admit how old it got and how glad they were to come back each spring and live a "normal" life. It also seemed to be the perfect environment for Gossip Central. Eventually I may end up in such a community but until that becomes necessary, I enjoy my privacy and really enjoy making my own decisions on plants, etc...

[ConeyIsBabe]

I agree 100% with the previous two posts !! However, I've been hanging out at the forum for "The Villages" (talkofthevillages) and IMHO all it really has to offer is a lifestyle of golf, other activities, clubs, socializing, partying, and more partying. The winter weather would be good, but summer insufferable!

I guess all those activities could get old after a while, but I have to confess.......... compared to my rural small town (2k pop) the lifestyle does seem appealing, at least for a while. I'm not physically able to do most of the active activities but I like the idea of more social networking opportunities that those communities offer!

[MN2CO]

Coney - You are too isolated. You're starving for more human interaction. I live in a burb neighborhood and feel just as isolated at times. That is when a community like the Villages sounds appealing. I also have to admit that I've been so tied up with this house (where's my tent) that I don't put myself out there. As much as I like putzing around outside, I'm always happy when I see that first snowfall - really!! This winter I plan to get more involved in various activities. You have to do what feels right for you. I just can't have a group of people with too much time on their hands making alot of decisions for me.

[Honeycrisp]

I like the first snowfall too <G>, I also think a happy medium is nice. Over 55 communities are good in that they offer a lot of activities right at your fingertips but I think they can quickly become Gossip Central, like MN2CO said. I read the book Leisureville not long ago which gives a good insight to 55+ communities. It might be hard to have some private time unless you hunker down in your house (IOW, going for a walk by yourself or even sitting outside in your yard reading a book might be challenging b/c oftentimes ppl gravitate toward each other and want to make small talk whether you're in the mood or not, you might not get too far reading that book, LOL). A big plus is that if you're moving to a new state and know few people, it's a great way to meet others and make friends, you can be as active (or inactive) as you like b/c there are many clubs (in the Villages, anyway). Convenience is also a big plus, having activities right there, I'm in a somewhat small town and w/b lost w/o my car, driving is really a necessity, we're used to it but there are times it w/b a lot easier having things more local. On a negative side, I have a hunch over 55 communities can become expensive fast also, there usually are fee's etc. LIke anything else, there's pro's and con's.

[ConeyIsBabe]

Isolated ? HMmmmmmmm? Yes, somewhat, in that I do have to get into my car to go shopping, to the gym, or whatever!

Even though I live within one mile from my town center and 8 miles from Grants Pass, it's not like when I lived in s/FL in the city and all I had to do was walk out my door to visit with neighbors, shop, work, bank, etc! I'm not an outgoing person..... and very lazy! That's why I see more of an urban life in my future !

This is a serious consideration for anyone thinking of relocation. Are you a city-gal or a country lover? And getting older means less energy to put forth on traveling for services