What kind of retirement do you want?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I actually really want to move to a retirement community where there are lots of planned activities. I read an article about that Margaritaville place and I’m ready to move there now! I’d love on-site golf, tennis, dining, etc. But we are only in our mid 30s with young kids so that won’t happen any time soon.

Just goes to show that people want radically different things. That sounds like the 4th circle of hell to me. I'm with the poster who wants to retire, at least part time, to an urban area. The other half of the time, I'd like someplace a little more remote, with lots of outdoor activities.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be 70 when I retire, so assume it's directly to a continuing care community somewhere, if I can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NY is not super elderly friendly.

Why do you say that?

Well, TBH, money helps considerably but there are many elderly in our apartment building. The doormen really go out of their way to assist them. They can get absolutely every thing delivered now and even summon an Uber to the door, then have to walk up to the nearest intersection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to move back to Manhattan or west side of LA.

Wow surprised to see so many more people here that want to retire in a city.... I thought I was the outlier!

I think it's so important to be able to walk places in retirement. Elders who live in the suburbs and are car-dependent are trapped once they're no longer able to drive.

Plus, the stimulation of a city will keep you mentally sharp.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to move back to Manhattan or west side of LA.

Wow surprised to see so many more people here that want to retire in a city.... I thought I was the outlier!

I think it's so important to be able to walk places in retirement. Elders who live in the suburbs and are car-dependent are trapped once they're no longer able to drive.

Plus, the stimulation of a city will keep you mentally sharp.

YOu mean like getting robbed or assaulted?

[Anonymous]

You’ll build your community no matter where you are. Even if you stay at your current address, your community will change. Some friends will do what your dh wants, downsize and go somewhere nice, others may stay in same city but change houses. So you staying where you are does not guarantee that those you consider your community will stay static either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I actually really want to move to a retirement community where there are lots of planned activities. I read an article about that Margaritaville place and I’m ready to move there now! I’d love on-site golf, tennis, dining, etc. But we are only in our mid 30s with young kids so that won’t happen any time soon.

OP here and I'm really trying to understand... you don't think you would get bored of this lifestyle? Would you be fine with just seeing only people of your age group? You wouldn't feel disconnected from the rest of the world and society?

DP. It is actually really nice to live among people that are in the same stage of life as you are. Especially as you become an older senior. It is why so many joined playgroups and parent groups when kids were toddlers. People crave a shared living experience.

[Anonymous]

Don't like urban areas -- had enough of that in working life and do not like retirement communities. Want to be at the beach. Walk the beach, play golf, play tennis, work out, sure try to find a way to give back, keep mind active.

[Anonymous]

We are retired and have been for awhile. We have a kid in middle school. We are mid 50ties and early 60ties. Before COVID, we spent a lot of time traveling around DC’s school schedule and indulging DS’s hobby where he competes nationally and internationally.

Since COVID, we divide our time between DC, New England (where DC goes to school) and the west coast where we have family. My preference is to move permanently to the West Coast but DH prefers the East Coast so for now we make do by spending summers out West. We may permanently move to Manhattan and make it our home base once COVID is manageable…. We prefer Manhattan for growing very old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand how everyone is deciding walkability and NYC are the goal. I mean sure they are for a certain % who is really really fit going into retirement and thus as elderly people walking blocks and blocks is no problem. Sure cabs, uber, blah blah but let's be honest when you're in NYC you're on your feet a lot. I was good with it in my 20s-30s, but I can' imagine it at 80+ esp seeing aging relatives - a couple of them could handle NYC but would be tired; the others have all kinds of aches and pains and often get tired just having to stand someplace waiting for service like getting keys back at the car dealership service station; and these are all people in their 70s.

Meh, my grandmother was born and raised in NYC, and lived there by herself for forty years after my grandfather died, until she was 92. Probably if you move there from the suburbs and you’re soft and used to taking cars everywhere, you won’t make it. If you’ve walked all your life, there’s no reason you can’t continue to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to move back to Manhattan or west side of LA.

Wow surprised to see so many more people here that want to retire in a city.... I thought I was the outlier!

I think it's so important to be able to walk places in retirement. Elders who live in the suburbs and are car-dependent are trapped once they're no longer able to drive.

Plus, the stimulation of a city will keep you mentally sharp.

YOu mean like getting robbed or assaulted?

Cities are not the dystopic hellscape you like to claim they are. I’ve lived in NYC for 17 years. Haven’t been robbed or assaulted once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would love to move back to Manhattan or west side of LA.

Wow surprised to see so many more people here that want to retire in a city.... I thought I was the outlier!

I think it's so important to be able to walk places in retirement. Elders who live in the suburbs and are car-dependent are trapped once they're no longer able to drive.

Plus, the stimulation of a city will keep you mentally sharp.

YOu mean like getting robbed or assaulted?

It sounds like The Villages would be perfect for you. I hope you enjoy yourself.