OP

55 and over

Pros when neighborhoods are first opened people usually love these because there are tons to do.

However, there are some major cons.

For example in Florida when the Developer leaves skyrocket your HOA and add a CDD payment as well. And as the community ages, this is not only in Florida maintenance costs go up.

Also, it can be very hard to sell in these as they age. there becomes a glut of homes as people get sick and die off.

My parents have lived in many of these mostly in Florida and or Arizona. Given they are on a fixed income they keep having to move because the costs of the HOA and Cdd's rise so much.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Villages! Have you seen Some Kind of Heaven? https://www.somekindofheaven.com/ You can check it out on Hulu.

The Villages are way too political. Lots of the 55+ communities have bans on political signage and flags.

PP here. I know — I was being a bit facetious. 😊 Whenever I think of 55+ communities, all I can think about is The Villages. Lol.

Ugh. I just returned from visiting The Villages. I could never live in a place like that.

Would you mind sharing what you didn't like about it?

I would really enjoy and appreciate hearing your thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:My inlaws (late 60's) moved into a large one in Loudoun about 5 years ago. They love it - everyone is just like them. Their only topics of conversation are the price of groceries and restaurants (they are well off), the health status of them and all their friends, and Viking cruises.

They are so devoted to their Mahjong and cards groups that they will miss important things for our kids because they "don't want the group to need to get a sub."

Oh my gosh my grandmother was like this and we always used to laugh, and then try to be grateful that she was still so active. She lived in Goodwin house in Alexandria and you truly had to check in with her social schedule before making any plans - it was always oh I have bridge that night sorry!

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.

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

I’m the PP with the in-laws. Their community home values appreciate on par with the surrounding area that is not age restricted.

Anonymous wrote:My aunt lives in one in South Florida. Negatives include little appreciation of property value due to age restrictions of buyers and these buyers are normally on a budget. Your neighbors will die more frequently and there will be frequent ambulances in the neighborhood which may wake you up at night. Lots of lonely people because they have lost a spouse. High assessments to keep up the many amenities.

That will happen regardless of where you live if you lose a spouse. I would imagine that a bunch of widows/widowers would be able to find some community with each other in these places, unlike regular neighborhoods where there are less "lonely" people.

I'm going to buy one of those when DH and I are nearing 75. At that point, I don't care about appreciation that much, but I do want security and neighbors who will watch out for each other (ie, busy bodies). Based on my parents and my ILs, it seems most people start to really slow down their activities in their mid to late 70s.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My inlaws (late 60's) moved into a large one in Loudoun about 5 years ago. They love it - everyone is just like them. Their only topics of conversation are the price of groceries and restaurants (they are well off), the health status of them and all their friends, and Viking cruises.

They are so devoted to their Mahjong and cards groups that they will miss important things for our kids because they "don't want the group to need to get a sub."

Yes, Ashby Ponds is pretty deluxe. Indoor swimming pools, multiple restaurants, on-site medical center, on and off-campus transportation, on-site security and emergency medical response staff, on site-social workers, their own small CVS pharmacy/mini-mart, etc.

They are in Potomac Green. Its a little larger and has no option for assisted living or meals of any kind.

Anonymous wrote:My inlaws (late 60's) moved into a large one in Loudoun about 5 years ago. They love it - everyone is just like them. Their only topics of conversation are the price of groceries and restaurants (they are well off), the health status of them and all their friends, and Viking cruises.

They are so devoted to their Mahjong and cards groups that they will miss important things for our kids because they "don't want the group to need to get a sub."

Yes, Ashby Ponds is pretty deluxe. Indoor swimming pools, multiple restaurants, on-site medical center, on and off-campus transportation, on-site security and emergency medical response staff, on site-social workers, their own small CVS pharmacy/mini-mart, etc.

My inlaws (late 60's) moved into a large one in Loudoun about 5 years ago. They love it - everyone is just like them. Their only topics of conversation are the price of groceries and restaurants (they are well off), the health status of them and all their friends, and Viking cruises.

They are so devoted to their Mahjong and cards groups that they will miss important things for our kids because they "don't want the group to need to get a sub."

If you move into a new 55+ community the population tends to be younger. We looked into this when my father died and my mom was in her 50s. But she ultimately decided against it because my husband is an only child and she was worried about what would happen to my child if we both died.

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.

Well, 36 and 66 year olds doesn't have that much in common.

Depends on complex. My aunt lives in a young hip
55 plus complex. There rule only one owner has to be 55 or older. No kids under 18 can live full time in complex

There are lots of buyers husband 55, wife 52 where youngest is in college and living at home.

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.

You may end up with 70+ chronically ill and depressed instead of active 55 year olds. Whole neighborhood may get cleaned up with a harsh COVID variant. Its not for everyone.