Are You Active Adult Community Material?
Category: Active adult communities
April 9 — For Sequoya, moving into a 55+ community in Yuma was “… boy what a mistake!” Similarly, Kimojimo “tried (a community in FL), lasted 9 months, and couldn’t WAIT to get out!” Yet Bill55, who worked for years for Del Webb, “… met countless people who had no intention of living in an adult community. But for one reason or another they decided to give it a shot and I would see them around the community day after day taking part in all sorts of activities. At least 95% of those people said that moving there was the best decision of their lives!”
Active adult communities are for many people, while others will be happier living in the traditional type of community. Topretirements has just written a “Tips and Picks” article, “Is an Active Adult Community Right for You”, that uses quotes from actual people to try to pinpoint the pluses and minuses of active adult communities, so as to help others figure out what their retirement living decision should be.
The people who say that they love living in their active adult communities are attracted for about 5 basic reasons:
Meanwhile, the people who hate the thought of living in active adult communities have plenty to say about why they feel that way.
Finally, many people had good advice for others when it comes to deciding whether or not to live in an active adult community. We liked this quote a lot: “From my observations 55+ communities do indeed offer a great deal – but that is not to say they are for everyone – there are tradeoffs. It seems that more particular/meticulous persons do a bit better in these environs – and those that take advantage of the multitude of activities, not the armchair quarterbacks, are usually more pleased.”
To see the full Tips and Picks article go to Active Adult Communities
Comments on "Are You Active Adult Community Material?"
says:
I'm 56 (in Sept) and hubby is 2 years older - I want to move to an active community and he wants a big house in the burbs (he's never had a house before, I've had 5 before I met and married him 18 months ago). My questions is, are we too young for such a community. I lived in the burbs and it is so boring if you don't have children, but the folks in the active communities seem so much older than us - should we wait until we are about 62? Becca
kmp says:
Don't forget retiring overseas. France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal are great places with lots to do. I don't see many articles here about that. Other countries may be better for some folks. I know people who retired in the West Indies, also, where we used to lived just after high school.
says:
Active Adult Communities are not for everyone, however, they are usually less expensive than a regular residential community. There are several types of Adult Communities (Active Lifestyles, Independent Living, Assisted Living, Continuing Care and Care Facilities), a Senior Real Estate Specialist (an SRES) Realtor is educated to help you in choosing what type of community suits you best. By choosing a SRES Realtor, they are trained to help you choose a community according to your needs. This is a fairly new designation for realtors so, do your homework to locate one.
You should also take time, visit these communities and spend the day (or at least a half day) to see if you and the community are meant to be together. When you are there, you should join in the activities, ask for a schedule of activitites for the month and see if you are interesed in some of these. There are some 55+ communities and the only way you will know that you are living in one is, you won't see children playing unless they are visiting (there might be an optional meet and greet pot luck). Other than that you have your own home, come and go as you please.
Some Homeowner Associations actually sound worse than they are, ask around, talk to neighbors when you visit.
Some communities have an exchange-travel program, where you can go visit other states for a week, stay at the same type of community for a low exchange fee. You then have the communities transportation to use, you can rent a vehicle or use public transportation. Usually this type of community has a room that can be rented according to availibility for family members or friends to come visit you, if your suite won't accomodate them.
I do hope this helps! I would be happy to help you with further questions, if need be. Kim - Venice, FL : )
says:
My husband and I have also thought about active retirement communities but they are all so small. All we see is 1 master, 1 guest and a teeny third. I am used to more space and would like more like 2200 square feet. Also would like to be able to do my own yard, which I understand is not allowed. Is there anyone out there with larger space options?