Great Over 55 community?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm 56 and am starting to see the appeal of 55+ communities. My partner has always had the mantra that living amongst young people keeps you young at heart, but I don't buy it anymore. Most of our neighborhood is 35 and younger, and they look right through us.

Yes, we are going to get more serious about finding a good over 55 place as I head toward late 50s and DH is in his 60s. We have seen firsthand what the age in place and determination to be among young people in your home does. My mother thinks she is a national treasure as her younger neighbors avoid her because she won't treat her mood swings. She also expects us to be there at the drop of a hat and she doesn't want friends her age, but younger people can't take all her complaining. We are going to make a life for ourselves in a one level place, keep working at least part time, keep making more friends and figure out what CCRC people move to as we approach 70/75. We want our kids to enjoy visiting us and not feel like we are a burdon and miserable all the time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 56 and am starting to see the appeal of 55+ communities. My partner has always had the mantra that living amongst young people keeps you young at heart, but I don't buy it anymore. Most of our neighborhood is 35 and younger, and they look right through us.

Yes, we are going to get more serious about finding a good over 55 place as I head toward late 50s and DH is in his 60s. We have seen firsthand what the age in place and determination to be among young people in your home does. My mother thinks she is a national treasure as her younger neighbors avoid her because she won't treat her mood swings. She also expects us to be there at the drop of a hat and she doesn't want friends her age, but younger people can't take all her complaining. We are going to make a life for ourselves in a one level place, keep working at least part time, keep making more friends and figure out what CCRC people move to as we approach 70/75. We want our kids to enjoy visiting us and not feel like we are a burdon and miserable all the time.

+1 sounds like us.

My FIL also didn't want to be "old", but his interests and the way he spoke was from another time. They resisted going into a retirement community even though they needed to as they had a large two story home and large yard that they couldn't take care of. He ended up having alzheimers, so it was too late to make a move. After he passed, we all kept telling my MIL to move, but she also resisted until she fell twice, once blacked out. She finally moved out to a bungalow, but now has been in the hospital for 2 weeks, and they don't think she will come out of the hospital. She's lived in that bungalow for all of 15 months.

They are/were super stubborn, to a fault. I told DH we are not doing what they did, and he agreed.

My parents have lived in their little one story condo for 20 years, and they can absolutely age in place.

[Anonymous]

Keep the suggestions for actual places coming. np here. What I've realized in some of these communities aren't large (Villages, Leisure World are exceptions and are huge ... btw, can we get Leisure World to change its name!) Anyway, imho, you need a large complex. Some residents will be gone traveling, snowbirds living elsewhere part of the year. There will be turn-over. Some residents just aren't a likely fit, socially. Important that the community is large enough to find friends.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep the suggestions for actual places coming. np here. What I've realized in some of these communities aren't large (Villages, Leisure World are exceptions and are huge ... btw, can we get Leisure World to change its name!) Anyway, imho, you need a large complex. Some residents will be gone traveling, snowbirds living elsewhere part of the year. There will be turn-over. Some residents just aren't a likely fit, socially. Important that the community is large enough to find friends.

Good points. What would be a good size/threshold?

[Anonymous]

I'm thinking 100 is far too small, 300 units might be nearing the ok mark. Several hundred, and plus, is what I would want.

Also, there has to be enough residents to pay-into the expense for all the amenities.

[Anonymous]

My mom is in the process of moving into one in Amherst, NY. The place is beautiful, has 5 star dining, and tons of activities. There are places like this all over. Some are nicer than others. I am really excited for her and looking forward to off loading the big house and responsibilities that come with it. Of course the price point in the DMV is much higher for the buy in.

[Anonymous]

My parents moved into an active adult community 8 years ago, once they retired (around age 65). There are tons in central Jersey. DH and I can't wait to move to one - there is always something to do and lots of built in support for when things go wrong.

[Anonymous]

Over 55 community is different than a CCRC. I think OP wants the former. You don’t move into a CCRC at 55.

There are a million of these over 55 gated communities in south FL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This place is just opening next summer, so all new facilities and the residents don’t have established cliques.

https://lifeatthecarnegie.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAnL-sBhBnEiwAJRGiglHPs4WFGrtU71UZo9GRxSYh7pNL14yJ1yOO33S-3UNPNXtgpEWsoBoCZ_sQAvD_BwE

Adjacent to Rio Lakefront!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the folks here who’ve made this move, do you live in FL year round? What is it like in the summer?

Hot hot hot

What do you do? That and the state politics are two reasons why I am resisting exploring this as an option.

You live a hermetically sealed life.

It would kill me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This place is just opening next summer, so all new facilities and the residents don’t have established cliques.

https://lifeatthecarnegie.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAnL-sBhBnEiwAJRGiglHPs4WFGrtU71UZo9GRxSYh7pNL14yJ1yOO33S-3UNPNXtgpEWsoBoCZ_sQAvD_BwE

Adjacent to Rio Lakefront!

I inquired that it’s about $6500/month for a 1br in independent living plus a move in fee.

[Anonymous]

I’m attracted to these communities when we get to be 65 but definitely not in Florida. They exist all over. I think Durham would be a great place with additional activities available at Duke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the folks here who’ve made this move, do you live in FL year round? What is it like in the summer?

Hot hot hot

What do you do? That and the state politics are two reasons why I am resisting exploring this as an option.

You live a hermetically sealed life.

It would kill me.

Yeah, pretty much me too. I’m not a fan of AC, so try to get by with as little as possible. But seems like I would not have that option in the summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm 56 and am starting to see the appeal of 55+ communities. My partner has always had the mantra that living amongst young people keeps you young at heart, but I don't buy it anymore. Most of our neighborhood is 35 and younger, and they look right through us.

Yes, we are going to get more serious about finding a good over 55 place as I head toward late 50s and DH is in his 60s. We have seen firsthand what the age in place and determination to be among young people in your home does. My mother thinks she is a national treasure as her younger neighbors avoid her because she won't treat her mood swings. She also expects us to be there at the drop of a hat and she doesn't want friends her age, but younger people can't take all her complaining. We are going to make a life for ourselves in a one level place, keep working at least part time, keep making more friends and figure out what CCRC people move to as we approach 70/75. We want our kids to enjoy visiting us and not feel like we are a burdon and miserable all the time.

We are also looking for one level living now, early 60s, not necessarily a 55+ community but open to one. What’s good in DC area or 3 hr drive?

[Anonymous]

Westminster Canterbury in Richmond comes to mind. It’s a ccrc, but with many residents coming in their late 60s. Has its own beautiful theater etc.