Pros and Cons on +55 Living on Coast (Bend, North Bend: for sale, HOA fees)

[Coastie3202]

I am 59 years old, and will be 60 when I retire from my current career in New Mexico. I am actually a former Oregon Coast resident (North Bend) when I moved away 20 years ago to start a second career in the Southwest. It has been a fun ride, but once retired we want to move back to the coast that we love.

We have visited just about every corner of Oregon over the past 3 years in an effort to decide exactly where we want to settle for the rest of our lives, and no matter where we went our heart always steered us back to the coast. So the coast it is.

I have noticed that home prices on the coast can be pretty high, and there appear to be some very good deals on manufactured homes/lots in +55 gated communities, especially Green Trees Village and Florentine in Florence. I am aware of the HOA fees as a downside, but the cost of the homes balance that out IMHO, and the fact that in both communities the owners not only own their home but the lot that it sits on, which I understand is not the norm for manufactured home communities.

The wife is not enthused about living in a +55 gated community, and I am indifferent, which is where the purpose of this thread comes in.

For those who do, or have lived in a coastal +55 gated HOA community, can you please share your opinion of the pros and cons with me.

Thanks.

[rtg143]

There's also Pacific Homes Beach Club in Newport where you own the land too. Older than Florentine but the few for sale are less costly. They are great people there. Some still work. PHBC A Retirement Community - Home Page. I think there are only 2 places for sale due to the desire to live there.

[crazyme4878]

I'm far from being 55, and honestly, I would be against it, too, because I want to be surrounded by all age groups and don't want to live in a gated community. However, I was recently in each development at garage/estate sales. The houses in Greentrees seem close together. The garage sale was in the community center and I came away feeling like there is a strong sense of community there. I was surprised at how large Florentine was. It was very nicely wooded, there was stronger security, houses well spaced apart, and walking paths. I liked what I saw.

I know that isn't exactly what you asked, and my impressions are just that, but I figure more info is better. The neighborhoods off Spruce in the 16-22 Streets seem pretty decent with some decent prices. A mix of ages. Some friends just bought in that area and like it, and it is thee place to trick or treat-the neighborhood goes all out.

[Steve Pickering]

Most of the 55+ I am familiar with are manufactured homes or senior homes. Not sure if that is what you are looking for.