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Old 12-26-2008, 12:40 PM   #1
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There are several so-called "active adult communities" in our area (Dallas/Ft. Worth) - the subdivisions that are age-restricted, typically 55+, with nice smaller homes, usually golf courses and club houses. They usually have some regular activities and homeowner-generated groups.

Here's what I'm wondering . . . are residents really more active and happier than folks in regular neighborhoods? Are residents having as much fun as the smiling folks pictured in brochures?

Now my lovely wife and I don't golf (could be talked into it, perhaps, although playing in the TX heat is probably for the hard core!) and we live in a non-age-restricted subdivision where most folks are younger than us. Really no "community" activities, and here we are with lots of time on our hands!

So do you have any perspective on this issue? Any Del Webb or other 55+ community residents care to comment? Do you think it's worth the time and expense for a couple to sell their current house and buy one in such a community - with the prospect of becoming more active and having more social activities?

We're just looking for more to do between RV trips and hanging with the grand kids.
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Old 12-26-2008, 12:40 PM   #2
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There are several so-called "active adult communities" in our area (Dallas/Ft. Worth) - the subdivisions that are age-restricted, typically 55+, with nice smaller homes, usually golf courses and club houses. They usually have some regular activities and homeowner-generated groups.

Here's what I'm wondering . . . are residents really more active and happier than folks in regular neighborhoods? Are residents having as much fun as the smiling folks pictured in brochures?

Now my lovely wife and I don't golf (could be talked into it, perhaps, although playing in the TX heat is probably for the hard core!) and we live in a non-age-restricted subdivision where most folks are younger than us. Really no "community" activities, and here we are with lots of time on our hands!

So do you have any perspective on this issue? Any Del Webb or other 55+ community residents care to comment? Do you think it's worth the time and expense for a couple to sell their current house and buy one in such a community - with the prospect of becoming more active and having more social activities?

We're just looking for more to do between RV trips and hanging with the grand kids.
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Old 12-26-2008, 01:36 PM   #3
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Hi Warren & Debbie,
We have a bunch of active adult communities here in Florida. For me, the bottom line is one must be a party person to get one's monies worth out of these communities. For me, there are two drawbacks:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI> the coach can not be kept at the house.
<LI> these places do not offer the variety I get from staying at different CGs or RV Resorts. Once you buy in, it is the same place, every day. This is the main reason I have not purchased a lot at one of the RV resorts.[/list]
For my $s, I'll travel more in my coach and enjoy the lifestyle (planned activities) at the CG/RV resorts I stay at. In addition, different RV resorts have different people. I can buddy with many different folks. I see you have a Winnebaggo. The WIT may have different events you can attend. Include Good Sam, FMCA events and a bunch of caravan companies your life will be full of new people and new adventures.
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Old 12-27-2008, 01:54 AM   #4
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Although I am not 55 (getting close) I am from Sarasota County, Venice, Fl. one of the highest percentage areas of older age folks in the country. My business down there took me into many homes and condos daily. I can say that outside of any assisted living type places, those folks of comparable ages, in the 55+ communities did seem to be, on the average, happier than those outside the same kind of group.
The most close knit groups I can attest to are those in mobile home parks. I really don't know why exactly, but it was the same way in Arizona at the place (RVs and park models) we stayed at for a year. It was a 55+ community but I was able to convince them to let us in and they usually kept later hours partying than I could do. Most of these folks also lived up north most of the year and it could be that it was just the party time of the year; that when back up north they were much more reserved and possibly even depressed from not having the closeness of com padres around.
I don't know. Good topic!
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Old 12-27-2008, 02:42 AM   #5
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My folks live in a retirement park in Sarasota, Florida. It is a 55+ community. They have plenty of activities to get involved in if they want to. It's a matter of preference. There are a lot of full time residents in their park but they also have their share of snowbirds.
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Old 12-27-2008, 05:24 AM   #6
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I live in Sun City, Texas. It used to be a Del Webb community but Del Webb sold out to Pulte several years ago so all the Sun City's fall under their umbrella.

Like probably 95% of the residents who live here, I love our life. We have smaller (1,200 - 3,500 sq ft), nice homes, three championship golf courses, amenties out the gazoo, etc. If you get bored here, you simply shouldn't live here. I like the peace and tranquility of the lifestyle, the security and freedom. It's wonderful living with people who have like interests and passions. We all come from different backgrounds and use them to our advantage. This community of over 10,000 retirees also has a huge role in the city of Georgetown in that we contribute VERY heavily to the intrastructure and it's charities and also pretty much have a powerful say in what happens in the local govenrement as we vote pretty much in a bloc.

What are the disadvantages? Well, I can't keep my MH in front of my house (for which I'm grateful), instead it is two miles away in a security gate storage area. There may be a couple days each year I can't play golf as the weather may be too cold or wet. The property taxes are fairly high (not nearly as much as NYC or other major cities), and there are a bunch of old farts who live here (myself included).

We have very few under 55 who live here (at least one spouse must be at least 55) and a very active group of Solos (people who are either divorced, single, or have lost their spouse). I can't think of many things we don't have other than crime, children, urban sprawl, etc.

All in all, to us it is like Paradise and we have lived here for 7+ years. We go RVing each summer for 3-6 months, but can't wait to get back every year.

I hope this helps to answer some of your questions. My answers may not apply to all active adult communities, but they certainly apply to mine.
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Old 12-28-2008, 07:18 AM   #7
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Any place that excludes children also excludes me. They are tomorrows leaders and they need to learn from the present generation. Schools teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. They do not teach children how to lead. Actually any place that even thinks about telling me what I should or should not do excludes me. But if a bunch of people want to hang together and isolate themselves from the rest of us, so be it. Neither one of us would enjoy living next to each other.
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Old 12-29-2008, 04:54 AM   #8
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Any place that excludes children also excludes me. They are tomorrows leaders and they need to learn from the present generation. Schools teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. They do not teach children how to lead. Actually any place that even thinks about telling me what I should or should not do excludes me. But if a bunch of people want to hang together and isolate themselves from the rest of us, so be it. Neither one of us would enjoy living next to each other. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
Any place that excludes children also excludes me. They are tomorrows leaders and they need to learn from the present generation. Schools teach reading, writing, and arithmetic. They do not teach children how to lead. Actually any place that even thinks about telling me what I should or should not do excludes me. But if a bunch of people want to hang together and isolate themselves from the rest of us, so be it. Neither one of us would enjoy living next to each other.

So I guess I shouldn't include you in the next Mahjongg party?

I agree that children need to learn from the present generation. The present generation, however, is not mine. Additionally, where I live, and I assume all retirement communities, is generally loaded with children who are visiting their grand parents with their parents. It's a great situation for all concerned.

I'm not at all sure why you even bothered to answer the original poster as I don't see what your post contributed other than another rant against a particular subject. I get that you don't want to live next to me. Don't worry - you won't.
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Old 01-01-2009, 01:53 PM   #9
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Golden, you are correct. I should not have gone ballistic like that. I apologize to any that I may have offended. There, I am chastised.
The full contact Mahjongg game will be held on Padre Island this year. Bring your own tiles
To the O.P.: I have visited some active adult housing areas. Some people like them. I would advise wrangling a visit and make up your own mind.
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Old 01-02-2009, 07:25 AM   #10
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We looked at the 55+ communities. A lot to ofer I think but, I like the ability to make my own choices about what is done around my house and I like to tend the grounds and I do not like to pay someone to do what I can do. I also like having more than one pet under 25 lbs. That was some of the things we were told we would enjoy at the spot we inquired at. We have been able to find a lot of things to do around our new house. We square dance and we attend church regularly. This will open doors to a lot of companionship with others around our own age, doing things we have in common. We are also going to join one of the groups that RV in the area. They have organized outtings that we think we will enjoy, meet new people and go somewhere at the same time. I just believe there is a lot to do in life if you will look for it and can find the right place.
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Old 01-03-2009, 02:32 PM   #11
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<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">We looked at the 55+ communities. A lot to ofer I think but, I like the ability to make my own choices about what is done around my house and I like to tend the grounds and I do not like to pay someone to do what I can do. I also like having more than one pet under 25 lbs. That was some of the things we were told we would enjoy at the spot we inquired at. We have been able to find a lot of things to do around our new house. We square dance and we attend church regularly. This will open doors to a lot of companionship with others around our own age, doing things we have in common. We are also going to join one of the groups that RV in the area. They have organized outtings that we think we will enjoy, meet new people and go somewhere at the same time. I just believe there is a lot to do in life if you will look for it and can find the right place. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Please don't base your decision by visiting one place. Every example you list is available where I live, plus a great deal more. Not all retirement communities are alike, some are better than others, some are worse. It's just like the subdivisions in your hometown.

Glen41 - not to worry, venting can be good for the soul. I'll have to pass on Padre, however. When I leave my retirement communit for the summer, I go to an adult RV park for four months. Think I'm in a rut??
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Old 01-03-2009, 05:43 PM   #12
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Check with your church, YMCA, and others. There are a lot of group short trips that can be fun. I seem to remember that were some traveling square dancing groups and some excellent bluegrass festivals around here somewhere. I'm still trying to make it to Telluride Colorado for the National Hanggliding meet. (not me, I just love to watch). Like you, mowing the grass is pretty much the only exercise I get outside of hunting season.
Golden, it is only a rut if you consider it drudgery or work. I eat vanilla ice cream a lot. That's not a rut. That's just repeating a good decision.
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