Help: What are you looking for in a retirement community

[jfb48]

Everybody I talk with seems to have a different idea of where they would like to live in retirement. Some have very clear ideas, most have some vague ideas but nothing definite. Personally i find it fascinating all of the different ideas that are out there. Would you be so kind as to share your thoughts: What are you looking for in your retirement community?

- People your same age - or all ages
- Gated or non-gated
- Active adult, college town, small town, big city, independent living
- What kind of amenities do you really want to have (golf course, trails, tennis, pool, health club, library, club house, cultural resources, etc.)
- Theme community (golf, horses, marina, arts, etc).
- Sustainable (green) or who cares
- Ideal part of the country


Please share your thoughts on this forum. All registered users can post, it's free and easy. Thanks

[ctyankee]

if you asked me this question 2 years ago i would have said an upscale golfing community in Florida. One with 1 or 2 really nice golf courses, not too far from the water or town.

Now i don't think that is what the wife and i are looking for. We've seen a few of those and the people all tend to be the same. Life centers around the golf course and drinks and dinner with the same people every day. There just isn't enough diversity to everyday life.

So now we are looking for a community that is diverse - particularly with respect to age, outlook, and interests. My wife leans towards Florida and Key West. I love Key West for its diversity, climate, and low-key lifestyle. But i am also attracted to Hawaii for its beauty and climate. Who knows, but finding out where should be fun!

[6string]

Hey... I'm a newbie here and I love this forum, very interesting. I think your question is its own answer. Diversity and variety! It seems to me that in my retirement (not there yet) I want to over-loaded with things to do. Walks on the beach, projects around the house/yard, a lively, vibrant night life and some people to meet and get to know. We tend to enjoy areas that are new to us and love meeting new people. Not that I want to be totally overwhelmed with tourists or vacationers, but some are great because they are happy, tend to spend some $$ (to support our area) and it adds to the color and mood of the daily lives. Of course too much would be not so good... but some is definitely a plus. Next important for us, warm weather, conducive climate to gardening and some good friends to hang out with.

[goldengrain]

Like some others, while working I thought I would like a nice, relaxing small town environment.
I took a few years, just staying at home to make up my mind.
I need bookstores, colleges, lectures, and discussion.
and a good active library.
I require a teaching hospital nearby for state of the art treatment.
I hate the heat and the bugs, scorpions, snakes - I have a cat.
I want to remove lawn mowing and snow shovelling from my life, so it would have to be a condo or apartment.
Safety is important, so doormen or gates and guards.
A walkable town, keeping me exercising while doing fun things.
A community of open minded seekers rather than followers of dogma and doctrine.
Yes pets, no kids.

[bogeyman]

I love your list, golden grain. This kind of stuff is what the good life is supposed to be about!

[6string]

Yeah goldengrain, I agree... exercise both the mind and body... and for a little spirit, a nice neighborhood pub with good food would round out the short list for me!! Ah, make that a couple of nice (within walking distance) pubs, one with live music on the weekends!

[retirementguy]

What i want is a good mix of people. i think it is totally unnatural for people over 55 to be confined to the same territory - we need the stimulation that comes from different age folks.

[jfb48]

my wife and i are 68 and 70 respectively. the only activity we're looking for in a retirement community is golf/swimming and a walking path. not interested in rec center, social center, cookouts, dances, etc..

i know this puts us in a very minority category but was wondering if there are retirement communities that spotlight individual privacy vs a "party" atmosphere? thanks.

[ctyankee]

i saw a study from a developer of active adult communities which said almost half of baby boomers will be moving to a new state for retirement. Personally i find that hard to believe. But now that i begin to see more clearly the financial pressures that retirement is going to put on baby boomers, maybe that is closer to the right number. My prediction is that millions of baby boomers are going to move to low tax states in order to keep their lifestyle. The fact that the climate is better is real estate prices are lower - a definite plus.

[fab50s]

Both my husband and I have been connected with the military for most of our lives, both dads were in the army and my husband spent 21 years in the Air Force, so we've lived in many different areas. Now we live in SC and this is the longest we've lived in any town or house, so in some ways moving will be very difficult.

We have lived in a neighborhood that has a community association for 16 years now and we never want to experience this type of community again, so I would say that is going to prevent us from moving into your average retirement community.

What we would like is a well maintained and safe neighborhood with bike paths, park, a community center that consists of a theater, a few stores and restaurants. We want a little bit of space and a bit of privacy as well and would love to have any where from 1 - 5 acres of land. I've heard there are a few communities such as what I mentioned, but I don't have the slightest idea where they are.

We've tossed around the idea of moving to Florida to be close to cruising and 'The Mouse', but nothing is written in stone. Some areas of North Carolina are also in the running.

Like a few other posters, I don't want to have my life centered around golf, fashion and things such as that. Theatre, museums, some sports, national parks are more important to us.

[cmyork]

I have a challenge in that my husband and I have different interests in a retirement lifestyle.

I would like a small or medium size college town. I like the learning aspect of using the college services, the youth and energy of being around young people and because it is a medium size city, amenities that I can walk to. I like a mixed community. I would like a warm climate with mild season changes.

My husband likes a 55+ community; he is a golfer; he loves the beach. He wants to move to the Villages. He prefers a hot climate. The thought of it makes me nervous. He likes the choice of medical facilities at the Villages. He likes the idea of driving all around in a golf cart. The fact that we can live in a community that will take us from retirement to death.
This is an issue. I have read some articles that suggest the comprise of 6 months in one location and 6 in another to satisfy the two of us. I would appreciate some articles on how this can be done with a combined income of approximately $45,000 annually. Educators and musicians don’t make much money

[Boomer1]

Your dilemma is similar to many other people's. I think you are smart to look for a compromise. The problem is that in $45,000 it is difficult to live in 2 places, unless you are very creative. The Villages is a great place for just the reasons your husband has - but it also has a lot of cultural things you might like. I encourage you to investigate that.

I know people who live in a trailer or boat for part of the year, some times that can be nicer than it sounds and very interesting to boot. The other idea is to look for a place with both of the things you are looking for. Maybe a nice college town in the south, such as Oxford MS or Fayetteville, AR. Arkansas has some great public golf courses. Or maybe Fair Hope, AL - which has great recreation and tons of culture. Not to mention many active adult communities that have continuing education programs.
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[stevejohnson]

They are so many places to visit after our retirement all are good for relax and time to take care about our health. I know people who live in a trailer or boat for part of the year, some times that can be nicer than it sounds and very interesting to boot.
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[Cparkinson]

[62andout]

The absolute best thing about our 55+ active adult community (The Villages) is the people who live here. We can't help ourselves from making new friends. The big reason is that there is so much going on; friendly people are all around us at pot luck dinners, state clubs, golf and tennis outings, wine tastings, bridge clubs, etc.

Of course the amenities aren't bad either - seems like dozens of golf courses, pickle ball, softball, clubs, card groups - you name it!

The only people I see who struggle a bit here are those that just don't want to be around other people (and why would they move here?), or who don't like rules necessary to keep the larger group running smoothly. Sure we have some restrictions - but on the other hand there are so many freedoms and opportunities doesn't seem like much to give up.