OFF-TOPIC Over 55 communities

[mandie123]

Thinking of moving to one,anyone live or know someone that lives in one?

[ardnas]

I'm not quite 50, but my mom lives in one. She is in her 70s and has been there almost 10yrs. She really likes her large apt and the things like a call button in case anything happens, security locked doors, hand rails in the bathroom & hallways, Monday night bingo, and other get togethers & parties they host. They offer game night, movie night, coffee hour, happy hour, holiday parties, birthday parties, shuffleboard, yoga classes, their own bus to take residents to the grocery store & casino once a week, monthly fast food dinners, weekly chapel services, hair salon, in house library, computer room, underground parking w/ car wash, laundry. Businesses come to give them flu shots, get their taxes done, so they don't really have to leave. Neighborhood schools bring children there to sing for them. That said, she has also said she hates it because she sees all her friends & neighbors getting sick and dying and no longer wants to make any new friends there because of the high turn over. She is one of the few (I think there are only two or three others) that stay very active, still drives, gets out a lot, etc. Her other complaint is on the weekends people have grandkids over and despite rule of no running in the hallways, many kids run wild (running, jumping, screaming) and it is very noisy. You can also "rent" w/ only a retainer the "dining room" (which is huge w/ fireplace, tv, radio, couch, many tables, chairs, and kitchen), so when people throw parties on the weekend this too is very loud. We actually held a family reunion here 2 Summers ago w/ over 60 people. It is in use almost every weekend, so it is always noisy on weekends, most parking taken, people coming & going.

[Gams]

I think some of them are really nice - are you talking mobile homes or condos or just in general?

My issue with them is that I could never live anywhere that has a homeowners association. My sister lives in a condo in an over 55 community and I get anxious just listening to her tell about the association meetings - people complaining about tree droppings, the types of pots people have planted their flowers in, putting trash on the curb too early - it goes on and on. All that drama would drive me crazy.

[mandie123]

Thanks for the info,my fiancee is 75 and can't really keep up with all the house and yard maint,so we were looking into buying a house in one of the over 55 communities in central or North Florida.The on line reviews are positive,but need to go down there and check it out.I'am a loner,and don't like people all in my business,so that's a concern.

[sherry7899]

Originally Posted by mandie123

Thanks for the info,my fiancee is 75 and can't really keep up with all the house and yard maint,so we were looking into buying a house in one of the over 55 communities in central or North Florida.The on line reviews are positive,but need to go down there and check it out.I'am a loner,and don't like people all in my business,so that's a concern.

Mandie, congratulations on your engagement!

My mom lives in one. She likes it (hers are individual houses) but I know I would hate it. I hated the stupid rules when we lived in our condo before buying our house and I am not at all into forced socializing. I also like having a variety of people in the neighborhood, including kids. That is just me.

[Pat58]

Following. The day will come when I'll probably have to consider it. But for now I won't even join the senior center, even though I've been eligible since age 55. There are just too many "old people" and I don't feel like I fit there. Yet.

Sandra - your Mom's place sounds like a really nice arrangement!

[Laura S.]

We looked at one recently that they're building around the corner from us just because we were curious. After looking at their pricing, we decided that they personified the phrase "nickel and diming". Unlike some examples here, it's a regular neighborhood that is only open to people over 55.

I'm with Sherry. I've always preferred a neighborhood with a mix of ages. We're 57. Maybe someday we'll move in that direction when we don't want to be responsible for a house any more.

[Nuggie's Auntie]

Friends of ours live in one. They really like it, though no one is close to 50! They are all at least in their 70s, according to my friend, who is in her 80s.

I would think, even if it's noisy and maybe kind of annoying, that it's healthy to have people's grandchildren running around! Having kids around to upend your routine keeps you young and flexible! I'm another who prefers to live in a more multi-generational environment. We can learn from one another. But i can see the advantages of some of the amenities these communities offer.

[toaster]

Originally Posted by Gams

My issue with them is that I could never live anywhere that has a homeowners association. My sister lives in a condo in an over 55 community and I get anxious just listening to her tell about the association meetings - people complaining about tree droppings, the types of pots people have planted their flowers in, putting trash on the curb too early - it goes on and on. All that drama would drive me crazy.

The meetings are not always mandatory. Also, I think some of these factors depend on how the board runs the meetings as well as the particular expectations for the community. We have a little complaining at times, but it's shut down pretty quickly.

To the OP - just over 7 years ago, DH and I moved into a townhome (built/own). It's not an over 55 community, but at the time, we were probably the youngest residents--we are 51 now. Most of the residents in our community are older because the homes (town homes plus a few patio homes, about 80 total) are on the pricier side and there are no rentals. Also, I believe that the HOA attracts older people who don't want to do yardwork.

For us, we have no kids, yet we had a big 4 bedroom house with a big yard--it made no sense, especially as our house was aging. Our townhome fits us much better; we have plenty of room, and I got to customize a workout room for myself in the basement! DH loves that he does't have to mow the law, and I driveway is plowed in the winter as well. Overall, it was a great decision for us. However, one thing I would note is that the HOA fee has risen significantly in the (relatively) short time we have been there; expenses are always more than anticipated. It might be different for a more established community though.

ETA: As our community has matured and people have resold their homes, we do have more people of various ages, although there's still very few children.

[yogapam]

Yes HOA fees (strata fees up here in Canada) can be very expensive! We lived in a townhome community for two years, not an over 55, but most people were older. We were both 50-ish at the time and definitely among the youngest. It was very nice, we met some wonderful people whom we are still good friends with, but there’s always a small contingent of chronic complainers. The revolving strata council members can vary from relaxed to a bit intolerant. There were lots of activities, we were both working so didn’t take part a lot. You are in a bit of a fishbowl, which didn’t bother me but my DH didn’t like it. Our strata fees kept climbing, they started at $400/month and would now be around $700. We moved into a house as our boys were home off & on from college so we were constantly juggling cars and parking on the street long term was not allowed. We also had a boat on a trailer that we had to store elsewhere. I could see myself moving into a similar community at some point as it’s very nice to have all the outdoor work done by someone else. There definitely are lots of positives!