Anyone moved to a "55 plus" community

[Conversationist]

Moving into my fifties, I am seriously thinking of moving to a semi "early retirement" mode. I hear alot about communities that are designed for people 55 or older. They seem to have alot of fun activities and ways to keep retirees happy and active.

Anyone with advice about moving to or living in a 55 plus community? (I would like to live in a single family home with people 55-65 years old. Active retirees. (I would work part-time)

 

[ucralum]

My aunt and uncle live in a community called Solera by Del Webb. They have a beautiful, brand-new single story home with a backyard. The community is gated and has a clubhouse with an indoor walking track and a pool. My aunt is taking tai chi there! They absolutely love it there. Del Webb has a website that you could check out and see if it looks like your kind of place. HTH

 

[sweet angel]

My parents live in an "active adult community". They have more friends and are more active now than at any other time in their lives. That being said, you have to be careful, because there are some communities that are OLD people, and some that are "active adults".

 

[KathyTX]

My mom recently moved into an apartment complex that's 55 and older.

These people are ACTIVE! They have breakfast and coffee get-togethers daily, happy hours by the pool, a poker club, weekly movies (they have a nice little media room on property), outings where they charter buses to visit casinos, lots of little gatherings.

She still works, but feels like she's missing out on lots of fun stuff that's going on during the day.

 

[drgnfly30]

My mom's lived in two in the past 5 years... they have a clubhouse with activities (Red Hat, Jazzercise, crafts, book clubs etc..) they have outings, Atlantic City, Plays, NYC etc.., they have parties, a swimming pool... she does seem to be more active than when she lived in a traditional community.

 

[DawnCt1]

One of my friends was considering it and I talked her out of it. If I could talk her out it that easily, I guess she considered that it wasn't for her. The down side. In a new community, initially, everyone will probably be fairly close in age. How will you feel when that group ages and you are living among a bunch of "senior citizens". Secondly, if you have children now, what about when you have grandchildren. Anything can happen. Divorce, death, etc. that might create a need to have a grandchild come live with you temporarily. That isn't a possibility in those communities. No excuse will do.
My youngest DS is a teen. Someday, they will all be out of the house. I don't have any little kids. But, I enjoy looking out of the window, watching them learn to ride their bikes up and down the street, pick up street hockey games, etc. I don't think I want to be with people who are just my age. My next door neighbors are wonderful people. Definately type DOUBLE A. and they don't particularly like seeing the young family's garage door opened across the street with riding toys, plastic slides, etc. But, those of us with kids know that those toys are gone all too soon. Just my thoughts.

 

[Feralpeg]

I actually looked into one called "The Villages" in Leesburg before moving to Florida. It is a huge place and there are tons of things to do. I wasn't old enough. You have to be 55 to move there. DD wasn't old enough. You can't have children under 18 living with you. For the time being, I am very happy where we are. Maybe someday, I will move to a place like that. It would be nice to have everything you need in one place as well as many people with similar interests.

 

[drgnfly30]

I wasn't old enough. You have to be 55 to move there. DD wasn't old enough. You can't have children under 18 living with you.

Actually, by law they have to allow a certain percentage of owners under 55 but you are correct NO ONE under 18..

I forgot to mention that she doesn't have to take care of her lawn, she only has to shovel off her covered porch - they do the walk/drive way.

One down side if you have a dog - in my moms neighborhood she can't fence in her yard for the dog & it's against the rules to put him out on a stake so she HAD to walk him several times a day.. he got to be too much for her so I now have him...

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd love to hear more pros and cons. DH recently visited a friend who lives in a Del Webb community (I think) in Tampa-the friend loves it, and DH was impressed. Also, we drive by a Sun City on our way to HH every year, and it looks nice. Any more comments?

 

[Poohnatic]

My mom lived in one in St. Pete area for six years, my grandparents had bought the home 28 years ago. My gosh, my mom was always doing something there-she founded a newsletter, they had pancake breakfasts twice a month, dinners twice a month, bingo, fishing trips, shuffleboard, game nights, you name it. Mom was friendly with our neighbors on LI and had work friends, but she worked hard all her life and never had much time to socialize until she retired. The community has been her life.

Every time I'd go visit (and the six weeks I lived w/her while DH was selling the house in Maryland), I felt she needed a revolving door and a receptionist for all the visitors and phone calls!

Due to all the hurricanes, the owner of the community (manufactured homes on rented homesites) decided to put the property up for sale. My mom found a house and is happily puttering away in the garden now, but she's still very busy with all the good friends she made in that community

If you're looking for a place with built in activities, that you can participate in as much or as little as you wish, then one of these communities is for you.

DawnCt, I don't think the OP mentioned kids. Frequently, the 55+ communities will not allow members with children, so that's not an issue. It sounds to me that she's looking more for input of those who have lived in one or have considered living in a 55+. (BTW, I don't live in one but frequently visted my mom's) Those of us who have kids respect the fact that some people would prefer not to have kids around and select a community that provides this option.

Suzanne

 

[drgnfly30]

There are usually a ton of restrictions that you'd want to consider, they will vary but she has restrictions on stuff you can have outside, she can only plant certain things & only within the 'mulch line'.. must have white window treatments showing from the street... the first neighborhood she was in had more couples, she was widowed 4 years ago.. this new one has a good mix & also has organized single activities (not dating!)... time limits on visits from non-residents (children - relatives)...

Despite all the pros & cons, overall it is ideal for my Mom right now

 

[DawnCt1]

DawnCt, I don't think the OP mentioned kids. Frequently, the 55+ communities will not allow members with children, so that's not an issue. It sounds to me that she's looking more for input of those who have lived in one or have considered living in a 55+. (BTW, I don't live in one but frequently visted my mom's) Those of us who have kids respect the fact that some people would prefer not to have kids around and select a community that provides this option.

Suzanne

I wasn't thinking about dependent children but grown children who have fled the nest and moved on. Sometimes those children have children. I have known of grandparents, through unfortunate circumstances, who have had to take in their grandchildren. It wasn't planned or foreseen but ended up being a reality for them. An adult community would create a problem for families with that unforeseen circumstances. There are no exceptions to the rules. For some people that would never be an issue. I can tell you it wouldn't be an issue for my MIL who rarely sees my kids, but it might be for someone else. There are a lot of grandparents raising their children's children these days.

 

[GeorgeG]

We're going down to look around next month and will be considering a few 55+ communities in addition to homes out in the general communities. One of the places we're going to look at is The Villages. From what I have so far, they are not your average community and they have something for everyone. I've had several people tell me how great it is, but we still want to see for ourselves.

I'll post a review around the end of May.