Is it a nice life out there in the 55 plus communities? (Tampa: HOA, insurance)

[engineman]

We had a golf cart in AZ. On hot days it was hot, on colder winter days it was cold even with a top and side curtains. Out there you expect it to be over 100 every day during the summer. Winters are much cooler than here.

[BucFan]

Originally Posted by LKJ1988

How can you move in a 55+ if you are in your 40's? I would go today to be away from kids if i can get away with it.

80/20 rule - 20% of owners can be below 55+. I bought when the housing crisis was hitting the market and had no problem getting into the community. Have moved since to another 55+ (I'm not 55+ yet) and also got in. Just have to ask/pursue it. Love the fact that there's no snotty nosed kids where I live.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by BucFan

Love the fact that there's no snotty nosed kids where I live.

Jealous. Can I come visit?

[Sunscape]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

Jealous. Can I come visit?

Can I tag along??

[dothetwist]

Why do so many old people hate kids??? I love my neighbor's kids. The teenager down the block mows my yard now (big savings compared to service companies). His younger brother helps me weed. There are a few little ones in the neighborhood who stop by on Halloween. And a new baby girl, right across the street, so cute!

We have a nice mix of families, singles, working couples, and retirees and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

Maybe some neighborhoods have "bad" kids, but ours are all a delight...seriously nice families.

[LKJ1988]

Originally Posted by dothetwist

Why do so many old people hate kids??? I love my neighbor's kids. The teenager down the block mows my yard now (big savings compared to service companies). His younger brother helps me weed. There are a few little ones in the neighborhood who stop by on Halloween. And a new baby girl, right across the street, so cute!

We have a nice mix of families, singles, working couples, and retirees and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

Maybe some neighborhoods have "bad" kids, but ours are all a delight...seriously nice families.

I always hated kids even when i was a kid. I don't hate all of them.

[alaskan adventurer]

Originally Posted by dothetwist

We are early 60's and would never live in a 55+ community...the average age is usually much much higher. We've had 2 couples/friends who bought into 55+ communities (in different states) at age 65; both couples lasted under 2 years. Both had done 2 night stays before buying, but found after they moved in that the other residents for cliquish and all everyone ever talked about were diseases and BM's.

Both took losses on resale as each of their communities were still building new homes and it's hard to sell a used home in a developing community.

Personally, we don't care for gated communities either. When I think about the elders in my and my partner's families, the ones who lived the most active lives were those who lived independently in good old-fashioned neighborhoods, did their own household chores (mowing, shoveling, gardening, painting) into their 90s before having to hire someone to help them.

X2
We are also in our early 60S and winter on Big Bayou about 5min from downtown St Pete.
these 55 and over //Gated places are for people who like living in a bubble. My brother lives in one in Sarasota (higher end double wides) I would not live there if it was free, way way to many rules for me

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by Annie of Oldsmar

Can I tag along??

Yep.

[The Villages Guy]

Originally Posted by dothetwist

Why do so many old people hate kids??? I love my neighbor's kids. The teenager down the block mows my yard now (big savings compared to service companies). His younger brother helps me weed. There are a few little ones in the neighborhood who stop by on Halloween. And a new baby girl, right across the street, so cute!

We have a nice mix of families, singles, working couples, and retirees and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else!

Maybe some neighborhoods have "bad" kids, but ours are all a delight...seriously nice families.

I have hated kids since I was in my twenties. I hate the constant noise. So much yelling and screaming. Such high pitched voices. I like quiet and calm. I like peaceful.

[dothetwist]

Originally Posted by North_Pinellas_Guy

I have hated kids since I was in my twenties. I hate the constant noise. So much yelling and screaming. Such high pitched voices. I like quiet and calm. I like peaceful.

Our neighborhood is extremely quiet....the kids of 'today' aren't nearly as noisy as we were as kids, actually. The teens all have earbuds and/or stare at their Smart phones. Younger ones aren't given too far a leash by caring parents, in this day and age, so it's not like they play in the street. Gulfport is full of parks....we can walk to several, and there's a skateboard park, too.

But I think it does our hearts good, seeing and interacting with people of all ages, including younger ones. I make it a point to engage them in conversation (even when they have to remove their earbuds). They are all respectful and greet us when we run into them elsewhere in town.

We are pet-free at the moment, but two other neighbors have hired local kids to walk their dogs. Interactions like that teach kids responsibility. And I have asked a few of the older teens for help with programming my new phone, downloading apps; they're a great resource!