Social Activities, Single Floor Living, Walking Trails: 2020 Retirement Living Preference Results

While I participated and the results are only of mild interest to me, I still think this article was rushed a bit. Too many alignment errors (on a phone) and the HOA favorability seem completely botched. As best I can see from the misaligned table, 9% said Very Unfavorable and 24% Unfavorable where the article claims only 9% Unfavorable.

Editor's Comment. Thanks RichPB, always appreciate you taking the time to give feedback and improve the product. Some of the titles in the tables were too long when viewed on a phone, so we have abbreviated them to line up properly. Have corrected the Favorable/unfavorable prose, you are right, about 1/3 are either unfavorable or very unfavorable. Meanwhile in a separate email Daryl noticed that somehow the link to the Comments was old, we have now fixed that. Appreciate the feedback, it helps!

I just cannot see one-size-fits all retirement plan. To us, it makes more sense to do things in stages. As soon as DH wasn't able to work any more, we moved into a traditional house, in a new state, in a new region, for our initial retirement. We have plans to ultimately move into an organized Retirement Community with everything under one roof (if possible) followed by nursing or palliative care - as needed. We are now driving around the area and "shopping" (once the Virus restrictions ease up). Thus, it was hard to answer some of those questions. I will say that my parents and most of their friends moved into private Retirement Communities and wished they had done it SOONER! (before being 80+ yrs. old)

I especially enjoyed the comments by readers describing their ideal community, and would like a follow-up question “if I knew then what I know now” from readers who have since found their happy place.

Agree with Flatearth6: It's worth considering stages. I wanted my own retirement home for 65/66 to 75, but plan on doing something different when I hit mid 70s. At that point, I'm thinking of downsizing to an apartment or apartment-style condo that is much smaller. If anything, to speak to Daryl's comment -- "if I knew then what I know now...", I would have moved into something much smaller when I retired. I chose a cluster home with a 1st floor master bedroom and a HOA that covers a lot of key services. However, I still have 2 guest bedrooms, a 2nd floor, a full basement and more. Now that I've retired for two years, I've really changed my outlook. Guests can stay in a nearby hotel! I don't need or want to redecorate seasonally so seasonal decorations can be donated, I should have gotten rid of more work clothes immediately, should have stripped down possessions a lot sooner, etc. I don't feel like cooking, baking, or even hostessing -- so I don't need the larger kitchen and space that I thought would be needed when I retired (I've learned it can be cheaper & less stressful to take my family out to dinner at a nice restaurant than to spend 3 days' of energy and the money to prepare a feast). By the time I hit 75, I'll probably have cut my "needs" list down to a tv, recliner & a comfy bed.

I enjoyed (and agree with) the Flatearth6 and Kate. We too have begun retirement in stages, which makes perfect sense. At first, it was very difficult to move from our big 5 bedroom, spacious farmhouse on lovely rolling hills....to a 3 bedroom bungalow in town. Now, three years into it, I appreciate that this home is easier to clean and keep clean. When company comes, we have the fold-out couch, plus a futon and air mattresses in a finished basement. Also, yes, it is so much easier and less stressful to take family out to dinner - rather than cook a big meal. And the only season I decorate for is Christmas! I am grateful for dogs on leashes too, rather than the rather rowdy dogs out in the the country who tear out after walkers and joggers. I had been bitten once without provocation, only to find out I was this dog's third victim, and I never trusted loose dogs again. We do miss our rolling hills, but we do not miss all the lawn-care time. Life is an adjustment from one end to the other, for sure.

I'm right there with Flatearth6 and Kate and Paula. I answered the survey for the stage I'm in now. As time progresses I expect my wants and needs will be better met by living in a continuous care community. And I've heard the same thing, people wish they'd moved into those places sooner.

Daryl has a good suggestions with, "If I knew then what I know now." Thanks to Flatearth6, Kate, and Paula for sharing where they are now, how they arrived, and what they anticipate for the future. That makes for insightful reading.

Would it be possible to do a survey on what things, specifically, lead retirees' decision on which state and what town/community/city? Decision made, how satisfied are they where they chose to retire? Will they change that? If so, why and where next?

Thank you, administrators, for running this survey each year. I find it interesting and enlightening, and especially enjoy reading the participants’ comments.

I completely agree with the idea that retirement comes in stages -- what's right to start may either not be the right decision or may change with years and aging. Regardless, flexibility is needed.

We chose to retire in place with a bigger house than we need now and more upkeep and maintenance than I can do at this point due to unexpected spine issues (aged wear and tear). We considered moving, downsizing but that's where our flexibility comes in. For us, any financial advantages were out-weighed by the costs and problems with moving. We designed this house 28 years ago for retirement including low passive- solar energy costs for our very well insulated, all-electric home (though the multi-flloors was a mistake). We have adjusted our budget to include having almost all maintenance hired out (thankfully, I had just completed the last difficult upgrade before my "accident"). No major difference in cost for maintenance than having to pay significant HOA fees -- our HOA fees are very small. A stair-chair is in the budget. We live in central NC, so a desirable retirement location to start. And we designed and built a home we love and do not want to compromise on despite the size and continuing costs. We can yet change our minds

So for everyone else, it is worth considering ALL your options and realistically comparing them.

I seem to be opposite to many here. I've been spending 6 months in my small motorhome and 6 months at home. My home is a duplex. I live in one and rent the other. So home is nothing but work. I plan to sell so i can be a full time RVer with no responsibilities. I know realize i should have done that 10 years ago! 10 years of driving all the way back to Duluth, MN from AZ, NM so i can spend my time doing yard work and house repairs. Dah! The main reason was to be able to see the few friends that have chosen to remain here. Most others have scattered all over the country. Not a good enough reason anymore, especially since with Covid i have seen any of them this summer. I plan to remain on the road as long as I'm able as i enjoy the change of scenery instead of always being in one place.

Bob - we have considered doing what you are now doing when we retire in less than two years; keeping our current home and traveling several months out of the year. We follow an RV group on Facebook with great interest.

Paula, despite the cost rent a nice RV for 2-3 weeks before taking the plunge. We had one for a few years long before Covid and eventually decided it wasn't for us -- the reasons weren't all about the RV and can only be discovered personally. We revisited that decision in depth recently and, while the lure of RVing is still there (especially with Covid-19, we again decided "no". We are private people and aging does play a part. Asin any "move", try it first before committing.

Agree with all the comments about retiring in stages and trying things before you go all in. Good advice! In our town I can't believe how many condos have the master bedrooms upstairs and no elevators. What were those developers thinking! Even a great location near center of town doesn't make up for that.

RichPB, thank you for that tip. We also are private people, and we do like having a little corner of earth to call our own, which is why we don't think we will sell our home and go total RV. But I think renting is totally worth it, and we may do that for a couple of months, just to try it on for size.

Referring to what Rick said, condos not designed specifically for 55+ often do have the bedrooms upstairs (townhouses), which can be an issue as we age. Most 55+ communities have single-level living only. But if your unit is above the first floor, an elevator is a must. Not only for yourself, but for resale value.

I've always been an adventurer, travel by all means including be a live aboard cruiser in boats I built myself. Now at 71 I'm a snowbird. 6 months st my home in northern MN and 6 months on the road in my class b motorhome. I get a kick about 55+, as if you are old st 55. Elevator? I have 37 stairs to climb to get from my garage to my second floor apartment. When in public buildings I mostly choose to take the stairs over the elevator. Beside hiking i still do rock climbing too. No, I'm not blessed with amazingly good health. I have chronic pain from fibromyalgia and spinal injuries that finally ended my boating life and sent me on my RV life. But so many here seem to just think "i'm old now, so that's it" and make plans for assisted living. Frankly, I hope to die before needing that. There is living, and then there is just being alive. Just being alive is not what i want. If I fall off a mountain at 75 that's better than being in a nursing home at 95!

Bob, I love your attitude! I have traveled in 107 countries and don't intend to stop now. I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead, in the words of the original parrothead.

Bob,

You have a great outlook! I am with you! Adventure is the best and I love to travel and explore wherever and whenever I am able. Those places have brought amazing discoveries, wonderful memories, new friends, appreciation for my blessings and a deeper understanding. Travel is the most mind-broadening experience regardless of whether you travel simply or in more luxurious style. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. It has made my life so much richer and I cannot (but I certainly will) wait to be able to travel safely again to see new places, meet new people and learn more. Best wishes!