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

OP asked for recommendations, not condemnations.

I know there are very high end options that approximate resorts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Villages in FL

Yes, I’d love to spend my retirement years with 100,000 people driving around in golf carts holding 1/2 gallon jugs of Fleishman’s gin wearing Hawaiian shirts and cargo shorts. But, people must love it!

Super MAGA there, too. And all that comes with that.

Anonymous wrote:There are a multitude of these kinds of communities in Florida - just pick your locale and there is bound to be an active 55+ community.

Some have single family houses, some are condos - but just about all of them have lots of amenities.

I have a friend who lives in one in Bonita Springs FL. She's managed to make a TON of friends there and is involved in lots of social groups.

Also have several friends in suburbs of Chicago. They also have made friends and socialize with others in their community. In fact, some of them have one place in Illinois for the summer & being close to kids/grandkids, then they go to a condo 55+ in Florida in the winter. Great option if you can afford it!

.

No Florida is not a great option period DeSantis will be king and it sucks already

Anonymous wrote:
np. I'd like to do this when I'm like 65+. I think 55 would be too young (I'm 53), but I could see doing this at 65+. I'm intrigued about the one in Fredericksburg, but we are a biracial couple, and I'm always unsure of what the demographic of such communities are like.

Biracial couples are no longer an outlier, and the trend continues that way. By the time you're 65, it'll be even more in your favor.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Villages in FL

Yes, I’d love to spend my retirement years with 100,000 people driving around in golf carts holding 1/2 gallon jugs of Fleishman’s gin wearing Hawaiian shirts and cargo shorts. But, people must love it!

I thought that too, but as I watch various relatives "age in place" and with no social life, the retirement community idea starts to look pretty good.

Most of these relatives are the last in their neighborhood in their age bracket. All the other houses have turned over (and often new builds) so it's families with children moving in. They just don't really bond.

Anonymous wrote:Are you looking to stay in the area? There are quite a few in Fredericksburg and to the west in Loudoun county.

We have some friends that moved to one in Fredericksburg. We teased them relentlessly for moving to Fredericksburg from Arlington and for moving into a 55+ community. They are very happy, their neighbors are fascinating people who had successful careers in DC or abroad and now just want to relax. Some consult still or commute up to DC via the VRE once a week. My friend is part of a run/walk club who goes out several times a week to exercise. The HOA also brings in speakers/chefs/ sommeliers to host community events.

I always turned my nose up but after meeting their new friends, I see the appeal.

np. I'd like to do this when I'm like 65+. I think 55 would be too young (I'm 53), but I could see doing this at 65+. I'm intrigued about the one in Fredericksburg, but we are a biracial couple, and I'm always unsure of what the demographic of such communities are like.

My community in SW Florida but I'm not about to put the name of it on DCUM. There are many to choose from though. I was just looking for a 2/2 condo and found this place which has turned out to be just great. I didn't even realize how many social activities there would be to choose from including cards, trivia, bingo, dominoes, dances, dinners, trips, yoga, pool exercise, pickle ball. Ameneties like billiards, darts, gym, sauna, library, ping pong, cornhole, shuffleboard. Classes in crafts, drumming, decorating, a book discussion group. I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of.

The best part is the people here, mostly friendly and fun and there for each other. I've seen no political crap or drama even though my community is about 50/50 registered R vs D, info which is available online for all FL voters, but nobody talks about it. It's a smallish community, less than 200 villas and condos but there are smaller and bigger complexes all over Florida.

There is also lots to do in the area including shopping, theater, music, fantastic beaches, boating, great restaurants, vibrant downtown area, museums, and other fun places to go that are not far away.

I got a great deal on my condo three years ago, prices have gone up since then but many are still affordable. One could also rent here if they were undecided. Moving here was one of the best decisions of my life even though I didn't even know how great it would be until I moved in. I knew I would love my condo but the rest was a very pleasant surprise.

Are you looking to stay in the area? There are quite a few in Fredericksburg and to the west in Loudoun county.

We have some friends that moved to one in Fredericksburg. We teased them relentlessly for moving to Fredericksburg from Arlington and for moving into a 55+ community. They are very happy, their neighbors are fascinating people who had successful careers in DC or abroad and now just want to relax. Some consult still or commute up to DC via the VRE once a week. My friend is part of a run/walk club who goes out several times a week to exercise. The HOA also brings in speakers/chefs/ sommeliers to host community events.

I always turned my nose up but after meeting their new friends, I see the appeal.

Anonymous wrote:The Villages in FL

Yes, I’d love to spend my retirement years with 100,000 people driving around in golf carts holding 1/2 gallon jugs of Fleishman’s gin wearing Hawaiian shirts and cargo shorts. But, people must love it!

There are a multitude of these kinds of communities in Florida - just pick your locale and there is bound to be an active 55+ community.

Some have single family houses, some are condos - but just about all of them have lots of amenities.

I have a friend who lives in one in Bonita Springs FL. She's managed to make a TON of friends there and is involved in lots of social groups.

Also have several friends in suburbs of Chicago. They also have made friends and socialize with others in their community. In fact, some of them have one place in Illinois for the summer & being close to kids/grandkids, then they go to a condo 55+ in Florida in the winter. Great option if you can afford it!

On Top of the World in Ocala Florida

Leisureworld in MD

The Villages in FL

I am an active 65 year old who has recently been running into people who are having a ball in Over 55 communities (not continuing care communities). They describe a million clubs and activities, new friends seeking new friends, field trips, bars/restaurants and other amenities on site.

It sounds like a college campus for full grown adults, with no grades or tests.

Does anyone know anyone in a place like this? Please share the name. I am about to retire and am attracted to the idea of built in friends and things to do.