Pro/Con of over 55 communities

[Anonymous]

I live in the Villages of Urbana and several of my neighbors have had their parents build new NV homes in our 55+ section and a new neighborhood, The Woodlands right across from the high school. I went to an event at the Woodlands community center and it was like you were staying at a resort. Absolutely beautiful.
That being said, the prices for new construction in the 55+ sections are insane. I know someone who spent $1mil. on their retirement home there. I would think a big downfall would come when it's time to sell. That's a high price tag and small pool of buyers who qualify to live there. Plus, aside from a first-floor primary bedroom I can't see how you would age in place once the time comes for additional care like you might find in a traditional retirement community. That being said, my friends and their parents love living near each other, and we see a lot more grandparents at kids' games.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My in laws live part time in a 55+ community in Arizona. They have always really liked it, but during a recent visit they talked a lot about the people there who have died recently. My FIL, who is generally pretty cheery, seemed a bit down when he called it a place where people go to die. There aren’t any young, vibrant people there to counteract that impression once it sets in.

My parents specifically did NOT want to buy/live in a 55+ community when they moved to Florida. They really like seeing the kids go to the bus, or baby-sitting the toddler across the street, and watching people leave for work in the morning. There are still plenty of retirees living there. The pool has water aerobics and a gym facility.

As I get older, and start to have some issues with vision/night driving, I can see the appeal of living in a community where you can get around in a golf-cart! Or maybe in a smaller town or community where they have all the basics really close (grocery store, walmart/target, doctor, dentist, some restaurants). Older people stay in those small mid-western towns (that have almost nothing) because the small towns are EASY To navigate! I don't want to be driving on I-66 and I-495 when I'm 70! I'd rather be in an area that is designed to be simple, even if there are fewer choices. That's where a 55+ community becomes attractive. Not at 55, but more at 65+.

Just take Uber at night

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me, unless you’re already slowing down it sort of feels like choosing to die.

Actually quite the opposite. My in-laws are busier than we are.

But how old are they? I’m 48 and zero interest in one of those places, for at least a few decades or maybe ever. It’s this side of assisted living.

69 now. Retired and moved in at 62.

[Anonymous]

I plan on being an involved grandparent and that means my home will always be open to my kids and grandkids. Not interested in any place that has rules that might interfere with that. Other than that, I see the appeal of a resort like neighborhood. Grandkids win though.

[Anonymous]

I read an article several years ago that was written about one of these developments in AZ, a very large one-something like 200+ homes. They interviewed lots of the residents, talked about the prices, etc. What struck me the most was that the residents all talked about how great it was when they first moved in, lots of socializing, golf, etc. Then after a few years and when people started to age, it started to lose its charm. THe mean age went from early 60s to 70s and up, and people started to get sick, infirm, die. Nobody new really moved in because those that were closer to 55 didn't want to be in an area with mostly very elderly.

[Anonymous]

You be surprised how long you could be in one. I have a place, very peaceful that was marketed in 1978 to retirees, empty nestors or second homes.

All 1,100 -1,200 sf units in low rise small condo complex across from town tennis courts, town pool, town park, town library.

We had two original owners die recently in last two years. 96 and 97. We have one left at 99.

But remember these folks were already 55-60 when moved in. The 99 year old was 55 when she moved in back in 1978.

The building is still in perfect shape although dated but as a condo who knew what could of happened. That plus homes way outperformed building. Although the 99 year old dealing with gutters. Sprinklers, mowing, snow removal, tree trimming and roof and fence replacement is not an option.

But these people are most of their life in their retirement home

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You be surprised how long you could be in one. I have a place, very peaceful that was marketed in 1978 to retirees, empty nestors or second homes.

All 1,100 -1,200 sf units in low rise small condo complex across from town tennis courts, town pool, town park, town library.

We had two original owners die recently in last two years. 96 and 97. We have one left at 99.

But remember these folks were already 55-60 when moved in. The 99 year old was 55 when she moved in back in 1978.

The building is still in perfect shape although dated but as a condo who knew what could of happened. That plus homes way outperformed building. Although the 99 year old dealing with gutters. Sprinklers, mowing, snow removal, tree trimming and roof and fence replacement is not an option.

But these people are most of their life in their retirement home

That's hardly the norm, to live to 99, 97, and 96. I'm sure you know that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 36 and childfree and I would LOVE to live in a 55+ community. What a wonderful way to be in a peaceful, quiet place with people with common interests.

Someone should make a community for singles and DINKs, say ages 35 to 55. I bet there would be huge uptake.

When we first moved into our neighborhood in Bethesda (when our kids were little), we wished so much that there were fewer elderly people in the neighborhood. It seemed like there were few young kids. And the younger people needed the close-in housing to get to their jobs, whereas it seemed like the elderly people could live anywhere and did not need to be within an easy commute of the downtown area of a major city.

Now, 20 years later, the elderly people have moved out, and the neighborhood has flipped, and we feel kind of like the older ones (in our mid-50's).

Pre-pandemic, when many people still commuted downtown, it did make sense to me that retired people should sell their homes and let the next generation have an easy commute. (I realize this sounds harsh toward elderly people, but it makes sense to me. Each generation does a favor to the next generation.)