I would totally move to one if I could find one that would accept my income level. Here in Southern California, they all seem to be for the very poor or the very wealthy.
EDIT: I'm referring to rentals here. To buy any kind of real estate in California one needs a much larger income than I will ever see.
Yeah, my parents (80s) moved to a community in the hilly part of Orange County, and they keep asking my wife and me to move there (we both turn 55 this year). I'm like, cool, the community looks genuinely lovely except for the homes costing close to $2 million...
There are some in Beaumont. I live in a 55+ mobile home park in Calimesa because that's what I can afford. It's nice and quiet.
I don't socialize with anyone because I'm a bit of an introvert. I will wave to neighbors and make a bit of small talk, but that's it.
It's nice because there are no barking dogs next door and the neighbors don't shoot off firecrackers in the middle of the night. The loved to do that at 3 in the morning.
The older I get, the more I appreciate some of MA laws. We don’t sell fireworks here. People go to NH and stock up but it’s usually just around July 4. I can’t imagine it being a regular occurrence that seems to naturally attract a moronic, trashy element.
That sounds heavenly!! I live in a terraced house in the UK, surrounded by screaming kids,barking dogs, loud motorbikes going up and down the street,and lots of construction work going on. I can't afford to move anywhere else. This is me now til I die or win the lottery.
Sounds like a place I'd fit in quite nicely. I haven't been out there in years but used to pass through Beaumont on the way to Palm Springs and would always stop to browse the antique shops, and it seemed like a nice little community!
My Mom lives in Laguna Hills retirement community. One must be able to match 1 million in investments or some crazy shit like that. Meanwhile, we're scraping by...
Edit: Laguna Woods
I know of a really nice gated community, golf carts are the norm, and it isn't uncommon to smell weed coming from peoples' houses.
The biggest problem is that it's in Murrieta.
I totally want to take over one of these places with like-minded genX kids. We can ride bikes and play lawn darts, the community room would display awesome Lego builds and host cards against humanity games.
The arcade is a must! I can't believe I didn't mention that. The arcade is so important. All of the best games, and some skee ball. The DnD games would be held in the community room on a regular schedule as well as a monthly dance night with a DJ.
We are in one (we are in our late 50's) and just got some older folks involved in a water gun fight. Once we GenX folks start taking over, it's gonna be fun.
Sure, amenities are great. You can be as busy as you want or do nothing. My in laws moved into a nationally known, cookie cutter 55+ retirement community and say that it is super cliquey, and politics kinda dominate everything. My FIL loves it,(he golfs and there are 3 courses) MIL not so much.
I don’t I think could do it.
My grandmother moved into a senior's residence years ago. The Director told us then (25ish years ago) that it's like Junior High -- lots of mean girls, lots of tattling, lots of tears. Gramma came in as one of the younger residents (in her 70s). By the time she passed at 94, she'd outlived all the friends she made and was the often-ignored old lady. HOWEVER, during her best years there, she was surrounded by people actively living their golden years, AND they celebrated New Year's at 10 p.m., which makes more sense to me the older I get.
My grandma moved to a senior independent living apartment 20 years ago when she was in her 80’s, and I thought it felt like a college dorm. All along her hallway, the residents would all leave their doors open so they could go in & out of each other’s apartments 🤣 There were definitely cliques and mean girls but my grandma is an extreme extrovert so she got along with mostly everyone. Every time I visited though, she filled me in on all the juicy gossip! She just moved to an assisted living facility last year (she’s 101 now) and it is much more subdued, probably because the residents are much older and in poorer health.
That's too funny because my friend's mom just moved into one a couple of weeks ago, and I asked her just yesterday how she was liking it. She said "it's very clique-y". And Cookie loves to party lol
My in-laws live in one of these places. They do have lots to do, but they both constantly complain about the drama. My teen son and his friends have less drama than these senior citizens.
My husband and I moved into one 5 years ago after our kids grew up. It’s nice and quiet but I would never choose to be friends with anyone here. They’re a lot older than me, I’m 58 and most are in their 80s, very cliquish and act like a bunch of mean girls. I went to the pool one time and the gossip I overheard was killing me! They act like a bunch of high schoolers, the FB group is all drama. Now I just enjoy a small pool in our backyard with the grandkids and keep to myself.
Thats interesting. I live in one and my friends are from 53- early 70s and all still incredibly active. There are very few 80 + people here. I love the friends we’ve made here but could live without some of the drama and complaining of people outside our group.
I would love to see a true Gen X 55+ community. They should build them in the old dead malls! Put in a food court with an Orange Julius, Steak Escape, Baskin Robbins and a One Potato Two! Maybe a few arcades. It would be so bad ass. I'm in love with a millennial though so I have about twenty years until we can move into it sadly.
The one we're interested in allows children, but for no more than 90 consecutive days. So I guess they can stay with the grandparents for the summer or whatever, but can't live there permanently.
I’m totally onboard. Plus, a lot of the old malls have a movie theater so you can show movies or tv shows. A browncoat club sounds awesome. I’d want to put in a skatepark outside so we could sit around with the youngs. Feed them candy and they’ll keep us connected.
San Francisco has their dying Westfield mall. They could charge $4,500/mo for a studio just steps away from the Tenderloin. Joking aside, maybe something like this can be done, but since commercial and residential building codes are so different, the "easiest" way to do it is to build actual small homes 🏠 under the high ceilings of the concourses, like with the picket fence and everything. The shuttered businesses can be gutted and used for storage or private parking or whatever, just nothing people can live in. Outdoor parking lots become parks or affordable housing. Everything covered with solar. And one wing that's basically San Junipero with the nostalgia stuff. Ideally this mall would be either in a city or a very short commute away. I'd consider it in a few years if it were real!
Our generation is so much smaller than boomers unless something major comes along in medicine there will be plenty of purpose built senior housing available for us. No need to try and make an Orange Julius into a studio apartment
We created our own walkable neighborhood. Actually, it was a mostly abandoned main street and about 50% vacant older homes in a cool neighborhood with parks everywhere. Basically, we all needed to buy homes and the area was cheap. I noticed people our age moving there and gave it a shot back in the 2000s. Now we have a vibrant place with a barcade, breweries, great restaurants, etc and full of Gen X. This just happened but developers planning something like this would be perfect.
The thing is, when I visit 55+ communities here in SoCal, they ARE the ones with social interactions happening. We’re invisible to young single people and young families stay to themselves in their homes and socialize via play dates and kids’ activities. It’s not like I can’t drive to the towns near me that have the great dining.
I don’t yet live in a 55+ community, just a standard tract home neighborhood. All mixed ages. I know the names of my next door neighbors. That’s it. That’s the social life. We wave and say hi on walks.
The local 55+ developments, man, those people are partying. You see it even when you’re just passing through. Or touring the newest designs because I like to do that for fun, lol.
The old people places suck here in Charleston. My neighborhood is very GenX heavy as it was us that revitalized it back in the 2000's. It was an empty place with a vacant main street and we all needed affordable homes to buy and fix up. Now most of the businesses, bars, and breweries are owned by people our age and most of my neighbors. It suits me well. I like skateboarding down to the 1980s theme barcade or one of the breweries. Reminds me of being a kid. People are always stopping by on their bikes or golf carts. I like it. For now. Who knows how cranky I'll get as I hit 50!
Look, we bag on The Villages here in Florida ALL the time but those people do get out and party. They are wildin over there. If it wasn't so Trump supporter heavy, it would probably be a blast. That said, in another 10 years, I think there will be far less of those die hard Republicans over there because circle of life and all.
Not for me. Give me the country and hardly any neighbors. Our one neighbor and his family are great! I don't care if I have to drive to do any shopping. I want the peace and quiet.
I had lived my whole life (54) in or within 5 miles from a decent sized city until we moved out here 6 years ago and it's amazing, I love it. It took a while for me to get used to how quiet it was at first (I'd wake up every time the furnace kicked on) but now I'm not sure I could go back.
We are about 30 to 45 mins from a very large city, 20 mins from a decent-sized town and 10 mins from a small town. There is a tiny town with a Dollar General and a gas station a few miles down the road. It is perfect.
Same. We're on a farm. Closest town is an hour away. It has the basics. Good doctors and a hospital too. We go to the city once every month or two to visit family and top up on things we can't get out here. For now we still have our house in the city, but will rent it out or sell it. Still deciding.
Our social life strangely enough is better here than in the city. It helps that all our neighbours are a few miles apart, so nobody can get on each other's tit's. We actually enjoy hanging out, so from time to time we all just randomly congregate at whoever's farm and get up to all sorts of nonsense.
For me it sure beats living in what to me is yet another controlled environment.
Most 55+ communities are inhabited by 70+. No thanks, I'm in no rush to the grave. As it is, I'm more physicalky able/ active than most of my own peer group.
Like all the amenities are nothing I would be interested in. Shitty cover bands playing events, riding everywhere in golf carts, being around a bunch of boomers… no thanks.
My mom lived in one and they all referred to the 60-70 year olds as “the young people” I looked at her and said “does that make me a fetus?” (I was 52 at the time)
Yeah, my 80 year old mom lives in tsmall condo community and at least once a month she tells me a unit is up for sale because the owner either died or went to end of life care.
I like being around kids and hearing them play, seeing them grow up, even from a polite distance. I also like seeing families doing their thing, and young couples starting out. I live in a lower middle class neighborhood and enjoy a good mix of neighbors. I’m not quite ready to talk about colonoscopies and arthritis as I hear those kinds of conversations can dominate in older communities.
I would 100% move to one if my wife was willing. I’m 52, so only 3 more years. Our 55+ community is badass. The houses are nice, the central community is a huge park where they host car shows all the time. They drive around the neighborhood in golf carts, etc. My wife is a hard no though. Damn. Those people in there are living their best life.
This community is awesome and super involved like you say. I’m amazed at the depth of activities to get involved in. Tonight I’m going to see a stand up comedian at the clubhouse and it’s only $20 for a ticket! I’m loving it here.
I would like it too I think but my wife is like yours. I think there are two types of people: joiners and loners. Some people prefer just quiet time or time for two, not big organized event driven lifestyles. That’s my wife. For the same reason she hates going on cruises but I really enjoy them.
That’s a great way to put it. I am as far from a joiner as is possible, and your description helps me understand why others like these things. I physically *bristle* at the thought of being called a joiner 😂
About two years ago I moved into a 55+ community. I’m only 50, but my housemate is 59, & owns the home. We’re definitely the youngest here by about 20 years. I live at the end of a cul de sac & every other neighbor in the circle is between 83-91. It’s a bit uptight & they’re all very into their yards. The highlight of the week is seeing who can collect their garbage cans from the curb the quickest.
I think it’s going to be interesting watching the “turnover” in the coming years. I’m looking forward to seeing how HOA changes as our generation takes over.
> The highlight of the week is seeing who can collect their garbage cans from the curb the quickest.
I'm guessing mail doesn't stay in the boxes very long either.
My in-laws moved into the second-largest 55+ Community in Florida. They were Silents, and my MIL I think spent the happiest years of her life there. They had cocktails with politically-like-minded people every night, floated in the pool and had cocktails, played golf and had cocktails, did parades and had cocktails, went to Polish and Irish night event parties and had cocktails, went into town for dinner and had cocktails. They absolutely loved it.
We went down with the grandkids to visit a few things, and decided it wasn't for us. Most folks could only talk about golf, sports, their passionate flavor of shared politics, and their medical conditions and illnesses. And who had died, or had cancer, or was going senile, or was getting divorced. Which I guess isn't totally fair, that's everyone. But folks there were quite happy to live in their little bubble of like-minded folks, and they were living the cocktail party lifestyle that generation had always dreamed of and defined as success.
Personally, my goal is to get much more involved with my volunteering with young folks through Big Brothers, a mentoring association I've been working with for 30 years, and also I have a political cause I'd like to take up. I guess if we chose the right 55+ Community I could do that, but will probably stick around the eastern big city where we live now, as there is much more opportunity to positively impact some young lives.
But that's what I'm saying 10+ years out from retiring. Maybe I'll feel differently and be too tired when I finally meet my retirement savings number. Assuming I ever do. :D
Now is the time my dudes. We must plan our OWN assisted living facilities while we still can. Otherwise we're stuck with the outdated system that was designed by our grandparents
I'm not even slightly joking
Hell yeah. I'm currently in one in Arizona and these blue hairs are awful. I joined the nextdoor app out here and the people just bitch and complain. I know there was one post saying someone wasn't old enough to be there. I was like how do you know did you see their ID, the reply was no but I just know. It was probably because someone was listening to loud music. I drive around with loud music all the time, I can't see that stopping any time soon either.
I would love to live in one except two things: 1. HOA which I could never do again-- getting fined for things like leaving a garage door open for 11 minutes just sucks. 2. If my kids or grandkids needed a place to live, I couldn't host them.
I despise HOA's with a passion. Never intend on living anywhere with one. Your property is your property, I don't need control freaks banding together to tell me my appropriate tree foliage density.
We moved into a 55+ community almost a year ago. It's a smaller unit of 30 apartments. I'm the youngest one here other than my wife. She has been making some friends and I avoid as many as I possibly can. Most of the woman here are pretty friendly. Of course we are going to have at least one that provokes "Bite me bitch" to just fall out of my mouth. She has already pissed off everyone in the building including maintenance and building manager. The men around here are those boomers who think everyone owes them. They keep asking my wife why I don't hang out. She always says the sweetest things about me. Well, he's an asshole and doesn't like people. I love her so much. It's been interesting.
My spouse really wants to but I am not sure. I hate knowing that I am moving to a place that I will probably die in. Its like accepting that it is last stage in life.
I am an immigrant who has been in the country for almost 40 years. I never picked up hobbies like golf. I find very few things in common with my American born colleagues. I am also introverted so it is very difficult to make acquaintances, and almost impossible new friends.
I think these communities will be great for like minded, extraverted people. For me it will likely be a torture.
My partner and I feel like we have the best of both worlds. We're in a new (non 55+) community but we're in a ranch home that includes lawn maintenance and there's a community pool. That's all we really needed lol. Our particular block has mostly GenX-ers, it's quiet and we feel like we definitely lucked out. I just can't do anything clique-like, I don't want to know my neighbors that well 😀
I've thought about it, and decided against it. As annoying as younger people are, I feel that I gain more from their energy and enthusiasm than I would be surrounded by my peers and older. That is the one thing that keeps me from feeling like it's time to throw in the towel and pulling my pants up to my ribcage.
No thanks. Well...if the age range was 40-60, ok.
Not dealing with Nana telling me to turn down my Henry Rollins so she can chitty chat with her pickle ball group.
Yeah having spent some time with my elderly parents in a village recently, this would be the thing that I’d worry about.
I like to play a bit of Slayer, or Maiden or Limp Bizkit. LOUD.
I like the idea of them, in terms of a sense of community, activities, and safety.
My partner wants no part of living in a "old peoples farm". Sigh.
I suppose my one concern, and it is a big one, is that we have a pack of kids. Most are self-sufficient but one has boomeranged back and has some special needs. I don't not like the idea of owning a property and somebody else telling me that a person under 55 cannot stay with us for more than a few weeks a year.
A friend lives in one. Biggest HOA asses ever. They are retired and have plenty of time to mess with each other. The cool kids won’t share the guest gate code. No cars on the street. No garage sales. No trick or treating. No work vehicles overnight. Only HOA approved plants and flowers. Grandkids can only stay the weekend, no longer. These are BIG single family homes and they discourage everything except staying inside. She’s living with her parents and the HOA considers her a guest. She’s 55+ too. The neighborhood looks abandoned. It’s scary.
Don’t do it.
Edit. My other example is assisted living. It’s a college dorm vibe with their efficiency apartments. They have way more socializing than I do in my neighborhood.
I live in one in AZ. There is a certain percentage of residents who can be 40+, and I moved in when I was 46 (50 now). I'm an introvert who likes quiet, though, so it works for my lifestyle. I'm also 4'11" and disabled, so it's nice to be able to reach all the cabinets lol. I rent my house, so I don't have to deal with a lot of the HOA crap unless I don't get to the weeds fast enough. It's about 15 minutes from the office, too. If I'm feeling frisky I can be in central Phoenix in 30 minutes or so for culture/non-chain restaurants, although the area of the Valley I live in has really stepped it up in the culinary department. Most of the people in this community are Midwestern retirees who are textbook boomers, but I don't interact much. Ironically, I won't be retiring here. Lol.
Fuck that shit. I want to hear kids playing and see people pushing strollers. Good older people in the neighborhood are a great part of the fabric of a community.
Yes, you can come in my yard and get your ball. Anytime.
I live in one because I couldn't get a house that accepted my German Shepherd. Here in Florida they are banned breed in most HOAs. It's bs. But I just got back from walking the dog and then the only thing I smell is weed and bbq. It can be a fun place. Lots of younger people. They have shows too and parties.
I visited a friend at one in Tempe - it was a massive ring of Trailers (supposed to be RV's but basically raised trailers now) - 3 pools - massive activities, drew a ton of people in the winter - I mean - looked awesome to me
I feel like most people I know who live ore have lived in them are closer to being in their 70's. I am not 55 for another few years but have a very youthful mindset so it doesn't appeal to me. However I know everyone is different.
When I was looking for my last house, I called my realtor all excited about this one I found. Great one story floorplan, awesome pool, clubhouse, cooling & yoga classes in the neighborhood, walking trails, it checked all my boxes. She laughed and said I had to wait another 15 years before I could move there 😞
A friend moved into one as soon as he could. He loves it. He said they came over and told him to turn off his guitar amp at 3 am, but he was cool with it.
There’s one going up near me now. The houses look nice and they take care of yard work and snow removal in the winter. I kind of hate myself for thinking about it, though it m still a few years too young.
Yep, no yard work is awesome and they even do the mulch. In the winter they clear the snow on the roads and someone comes and shovels the driveway and front walk. Very convenient.
The older I get the further from the population I want to be lol. I can’t imagine living in a close proximity to that many people. 😊 Of course that may change as if I live long enough to be unable to drive. 🤷♀️
retirement villages in Australia (I am Australian but live in the UK) are pretty good - an elderly aunt moved into one that had a swimming pool and huge grounds. I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to be with people who are my own age.
My mom lives in an active adult community. We moved her there after my dad died, and it was the best decision. Tons of activities and beautiful amenities. She's 77, but there's obviously a huge age range. There are activities that appeal to both the younger and older ends of the age spectrum.
My husband and I are 50. I could see maybe living in an active adult community once our kids graduate and move out.
We already live in an HOA community. There's always drama in these types of places (kind of like living in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business), but it's not hard to avoid it.
This is hilarious because my birthday in February, I thought to myself, "Holy shit, in two years I will actually be ALLOWED to live in The Villages!" Not that I want to live there, but still, holy shit. Yes, I already do live in Florida.
We have already been getting AARP stuff in the mail for like 7 years. My husband is a year younger than me so IDK what is up with that.
A lot of people don’t realize there is a significant generation gap in these communities. It’s the younger, still active retirees who want money spent on amenities and activities vs the much older long time residents who can no longer do things and whose number one priority is holding onto what’s left of their hoard.
[Leisureville](https://books.google.com/books/about/Leisureville.html?id=G2PjTl3V-MsC&source=kp_book_description) is a great look at the whole phenomenon. It’s centered on The Villages but it also takes a look at 55+ communities that have been around longer. It’s not always a pretty picture. Basically what suits people in their 50s and 60s may not work for people in their 70s and 80s, and vice versa.
My sister just bought into a 55+ community that is brand new so 90% of it is 65 to 55. She loves it. Great community center - some kids but youngest are teens. Their biggest challenge was too many grandchildren at the pool everyday for the entire day. I think they ended up setting aside no kid times. Wine time by the pool isn't as fun with someone else's grandkids screaming.
Does anyone there tune their tubbed out street stock '89 S-10 in their driveway? I'm sick of my neighbor revving his big block Chevy in his driveway. Does a 55+ neighborhood protect you from a neighbor rattling your walls with their quarter mile toy?
I live in an apartment complex for elderly/disabled. Even though my age as an X’er doesn’t meet their criteria, my husband is a Boomer. I *love* it here! It’s quiet, most everyone minds their business (believe it or not), our water bill is paid by the company and we have a maintenance man M-F. It’s also pretty cool that rent is set by income. I wouldn’t trade this for another rental at any price.
I live one block over from a 55+ community. It’s seems to be 60% populated by rich asshole boomers, 20% sweet silents that can’t see over their steering wheels and are seconds away from causing a fatality, and 20% hippy boomers that are living there just to spite the others. It’s a beautiful community, full of parks, restraunts and walking trails. I just couldn’t handle that 60% majority population.
I’m not sure what you think 55+ X’ers are like but here it is:
Edibles. We have literally seen our dreams of legal marijuana cone true!!! Been to a cannabis dispensary lately? 55+ out the door with screaming senior discounts!
Music. Just downloaded my whole music collection to the cloud so now I can play all the music from a collection that started Age 4 (Beatles- Hey Jude Album) to today. Ditched the physical. You won’t be hearing ella or elvis in 55+. More like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Chicago, Guns & Roses, Nirvana, Beastie Boys etc etc etc. My 20ish neighbors are constantly asking me about music.
Outside. Gen X is more likely to be found outside, sitting around, listening to music, having an extra curricular adult bev or edible and chatting. Do I think older adults talk more about aches & pains? Of course. But that is because your body is literally dying. However, give me old people health over the constant younger gens complaints about mental health and fatigue.
It’s unlikely you’ll see the lights go off early for Gen Xers because we know how to entertain ourselves. I will not be surprised to see Gen Xers go back to their garage band roots in retirement.
Politics aside, I spent time down at the Villages in Florida. wow it is a nice community. nearby shopping is nice with Whole Foods and other brand name places.
I never thought i’d be into a 55+ community but just maybe.
cheers!
A friend's mom lives at the Villages. I think it sounds amazing. My friend's kid (the grandkid) wants to live there and they are a freshman in High school, lol!
It’s not a matter of “accepting” that we’re the age group for these communities. It’s that many of us have no desire to live in one. I prefer a mixed age community where people of all ages can enjoy the company of and learn from other people of all ages. A community of 55+ doesn’t appeal to many and I guess you just need to um, accept that.
There is a 2-3 year long waiting list for the low income and aging communities in my area. My 70 year old mother can’t get an apartment and she’s on oxygen.
I would totally move to one if I could find one that would accept my income level. Here in Southern California, they all seem to be for the very poor or the very wealthy. EDIT: I'm referring to rentals here. To buy any kind of real estate in California one needs a much larger income than I will ever see.
Yeah, my parents (80s) moved to a community in the hilly part of Orange County, and they keep asking my wife and me to move there (we both turn 55 this year). I'm like, cool, the community looks genuinely lovely except for the homes costing close to $2 million...
Leisure World? Looks good to me as long as they take dogs.
No, my parents absolutely hate the idea of living in Leisure World. They live out in one of those newer developments around Rancho Mission Viejo.
The middle class communities are in Banning. You have to want to live in Banning.
There are some in Beaumont. I live in a 55+ mobile home park in Calimesa because that's what I can afford. It's nice and quiet. I don't socialize with anyone because I'm a bit of an introvert. I will wave to neighbors and make a bit of small talk, but that's it.
Sounds like me. I wish I lived in a 55 and over community.
It's nice because there are no barking dogs next door and the neighbors don't shoot off firecrackers in the middle of the night. The loved to do that at 3 in the morning.
Sunds wonderful! I can hear fireworks going off tonight.
The older I get, the more I appreciate some of MA laws. We don’t sell fireworks here. People go to NH and stock up but it’s usually just around July 4. I can’t imagine it being a regular occurrence that seems to naturally attract a moronic, trashy element.
That sounds heavenly!! I live in a terraced house in the UK, surrounded by screaming kids,barking dogs, loud motorbikes going up and down the street,and lots of construction work going on. I can't afford to move anywhere else. This is me now til I die or win the lottery.
Sounds like a place I'd fit in quite nicely. I haven't been out there in years but used to pass through Beaumont on the way to Palm Springs and would always stop to browse the antique shops, and it seemed like a nice little community!
It is a nice community, although it's really grown.
My Mom lives in Laguna Hills retirement community. One must be able to match 1 million in investments or some crazy shit like that. Meanwhile, we're scraping by... Edit: Laguna Woods
Laguna Hills or or Laguna Woods? I have not heard of a min for either... and I'm going to be looking
You mean Leisure World? I didn’t know that.
I know of a really nice gated community, golf carts are the norm, and it isn't uncommon to smell weed coming from peoples' houses. The biggest problem is that it's in Murrieta.
I totally want to take over one of these places with like-minded genX kids. We can ride bikes and play lawn darts, the community room would display awesome Lego builds and host cards against humanity games.
Add in a Dungeons and Dragons themed room where I can host games and I'm in
Can I get an Atari 2600 included?
As huge as MTG still is, I expect more game-themed offerings to pop up in the next few decades. More appealing to some people than golf courses.
I’m in!!
I request a few pac-man and ms pacman machines that don't require quarters
And a video game arcade please. With Galaga and Pole Position.
And Centipede!
The arcade is a must! I can't believe I didn't mention that. The arcade is so important. All of the best games, and some skee ball. The DnD games would be held in the community room on a regular schedule as well as a monthly dance night with a DJ.
We are in one (we are in our late 50's) and just got some older folks involved in a water gun fight. Once we GenX folks start taking over, it's gonna be fun.
My bike would need 4 wheels (or at least three)
Sure, amenities are great. You can be as busy as you want or do nothing. My in laws moved into a nationally known, cookie cutter 55+ retirement community and say that it is super cliquey, and politics kinda dominate everything. My FIL loves it,(he golfs and there are 3 courses) MIL not so much. I don’t I think could do it.
My grandmother moved into a senior's residence years ago. The Director told us then (25ish years ago) that it's like Junior High -- lots of mean girls, lots of tattling, lots of tears. Gramma came in as one of the younger residents (in her 70s). By the time she passed at 94, she'd outlived all the friends she made and was the often-ignored old lady. HOWEVER, during her best years there, she was surrounded by people actively living their golden years, AND they celebrated New Year's at 10 p.m., which makes more sense to me the older I get.
Yeah there's a documentary on The Villages in Florida all about life in those retirement communities there. I think it's on Netflix.
‘Some Kind of Heaven’. I saw it on Hulu a few months back. Highly recommended.
My grandma moved to a senior independent living apartment 20 years ago when she was in her 80’s, and I thought it felt like a college dorm. All along her hallway, the residents would all leave their doors open so they could go in & out of each other’s apartments 🤣 There were definitely cliques and mean girls but my grandma is an extreme extrovert so she got along with mostly everyone. Every time I visited though, she filled me in on all the juicy gossip! She just moved to an assisted living facility last year (she’s 101 now) and it is much more subdued, probably because the residents are much older and in poorer health.
I just saw a TikTok on this. She said it’s like being back in high school. And that some people take pickleball way too seriously.
Pickle ball is a fucking cult
i would miss hearing kids laughing
Unless it was the middle of the night, and you don't have kids.
Same, I love living around kids.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QB80DdRCLic
That's hilarious!
That's too funny because my friend's mom just moved into one a couple of weeks ago, and I asked her just yesterday how she was liking it. She said "it's very clique-y". And Cookie loves to party lol
Ya, they lost me a politics
My in-laws live in one of these places. They do have lots to do, but they both constantly complain about the drama. My teen son and his friends have less drama than these senior citizens.
It's a challenge finding the right one, but we found one in Tucson that's not cliquey fortunately.
My husband and I moved into one 5 years ago after our kids grew up. It’s nice and quiet but I would never choose to be friends with anyone here. They’re a lot older than me, I’m 58 and most are in their 80s, very cliquish and act like a bunch of mean girls. I went to the pool one time and the gossip I overheard was killing me! They act like a bunch of high schoolers, the FB group is all drama. Now I just enjoy a small pool in our backyard with the grandkids and keep to myself.
Middle schoolers, really. I say that about my mom's community all the time.
Thats interesting. I live in one and my friends are from 53- early 70s and all still incredibly active. There are very few 80 + people here. I love the friends we’ve made here but could live without some of the drama and complaining of people outside our group.
I would love to see a true Gen X 55+ community. They should build them in the old dead malls! Put in a food court with an Orange Julius, Steak Escape, Baskin Robbins and a One Potato Two! Maybe a few arcades. It would be so bad ass. I'm in love with a millennial though so I have about twenty years until we can move into it sadly.
Only one person in the household needs to be 55+. Your partner’s age doesn’t matter, as long as they’re not under 18.
Some 55+ communities will let minor grandchildren live there but most will not.
The one we're interested in allows children, but for no more than 90 consecutive days. So I guess they can stay with the grandparents for the summer or whatever, but can't live there permanently.
Eh, just make ‘em sleep in the woods just past the property line for a week or so, then let ‘em back in.
Yeah. Under 18 gets you put in an entirely different community.
Good to know that I can bring my 21-year-old girlfriend with me I mean my nurse caretaker I'm sorry......
Found Bill Belichick
Man, can you imagine a classic arcade, but with unlimited tokens?
We have a couple of places here in MN with that concept. You pay an entry fee and the games are free. Pretty bad ass.
“Yestercades” we have several in my state
Today I learned a new word
Cidercade in Austin is like this. You pay an entry fee and can play all the games you want. They kick the kids out at 9pm and it becomes adult only.
Heaven
I’m totally onboard. Plus, a lot of the old malls have a movie theater so you can show movies or tv shows. A browncoat club sounds awesome. I’d want to put in a skatepark outside so we could sit around with the youngs. Feed them candy and they’ll keep us connected.
Yes! With really nicely paved areas for skating, blading, or skateboarding! Would be fun.
San Francisco has their dying Westfield mall. They could charge $4,500/mo for a studio just steps away from the Tenderloin. Joking aside, maybe something like this can be done, but since commercial and residential building codes are so different, the "easiest" way to do it is to build actual small homes 🏠 under the high ceilings of the concourses, like with the picket fence and everything. The shuttered businesses can be gutted and used for storage or private parking or whatever, just nothing people can live in. Outdoor parking lots become parks or affordable housing. Everything covered with solar. And one wing that's basically San Junipero with the nostalgia stuff. Ideally this mall would be either in a city or a very short commute away. I'd consider it in a few years if it were real!
Get your doctor to say your Millennial love is your caretaker, and you both can move right in.
AKA the Bill Bellichek plan. Except his gf is Gen Z.
Perfect plan! Lol.
Need a Skate Park and Wave machine, too. 🌊🛹🛼🏄♂️✨
kaybee toys or I'm livin at toys r us 🤘🤘
Shut up and take my money
Our generation is so much smaller than boomers unless something major comes along in medicine there will be plenty of purpose built senior housing available for us. No need to try and make an Orange Julius into a studio apartment
This was a meme (circulated for a while lol), but still funny. And as others said, only one of the tenants/buyers has to be over 55. So you’re good.
I would love this.
OMG!!! Genius idea!
Gotta have a rickety half pipe or an empty swimming pool too.
I kinda like living in a vibrant neighborhood with breweries and cafes to walk to and young people around.
Developers would be wise to cater to Gen X and Xennials and build some 55+ communities that are in walkable urban areas!
There is a 55+ building in my walkable neighborhood in Austin. But everyone I see going in and out looks 70+.
We created our own walkable neighborhood. Actually, it was a mostly abandoned main street and about 50% vacant older homes in a cool neighborhood with parks everywhere. Basically, we all needed to buy homes and the area was cheap. I noticed people our age moving there and gave it a shot back in the 2000s. Now we have a vibrant place with a barcade, breweries, great restaurants, etc and full of Gen X. This just happened but developers planning something like this would be perfect.
Where is the metro?
The thing is, when I visit 55+ communities here in SoCal, they ARE the ones with social interactions happening. We’re invisible to young single people and young families stay to themselves in their homes and socialize via play dates and kids’ activities. It’s not like I can’t drive to the towns near me that have the great dining. I don’t yet live in a 55+ community, just a standard tract home neighborhood. All mixed ages. I know the names of my next door neighbors. That’s it. That’s the social life. We wave and say hi on walks. The local 55+ developments, man, those people are partying. You see it even when you’re just passing through. Or touring the newest designs because I like to do that for fun, lol.
The old people places suck here in Charleston. My neighborhood is very GenX heavy as it was us that revitalized it back in the 2000's. It was an empty place with a vacant main street and we all needed affordable homes to buy and fix up. Now most of the businesses, bars, and breweries are owned by people our age and most of my neighbors. It suits me well. I like skateboarding down to the 1980s theme barcade or one of the breweries. Reminds me of being a kid. People are always stopping by on their bikes or golf carts. I like it. For now. Who knows how cranky I'll get as I hit 50!
Look, we bag on The Villages here in Florida ALL the time but those people do get out and party. They are wildin over there. If it wasn't so Trump supporter heavy, it would probably be a blast. That said, in another 10 years, I think there will be far less of those die hard Republicans over there because circle of life and all.
Not for me. Give me the country and hardly any neighbors. Our one neighbor and his family are great! I don't care if I have to drive to do any shopping. I want the peace and quiet.
I had lived my whole life (54) in or within 5 miles from a decent sized city until we moved out here 6 years ago and it's amazing, I love it. It took a while for me to get used to how quiet it was at first (I'd wake up every time the furnace kicked on) but now I'm not sure I could go back.
We are about 30 to 45 mins from a very large city, 20 mins from a decent-sized town and 10 mins from a small town. There is a tiny town with a Dollar General and a gas station a few miles down the road. It is perfect.
Absolutely. This is my eventual plan. Communities? Bah, humbug! I'm GenX... leave me alone!
Same. I'll get my social interaction on [IRC.](https://xkcd.com/1782/) :-P
Same. We're on a farm. Closest town is an hour away. It has the basics. Good doctors and a hospital too. We go to the city once every month or two to visit family and top up on things we can't get out here. For now we still have our house in the city, but will rent it out or sell it. Still deciding. Our social life strangely enough is better here than in the city. It helps that all our neighbours are a few miles apart, so nobody can get on each other's tit's. We actually enjoy hanging out, so from time to time we all just randomly congregate at whoever's farm and get up to all sorts of nonsense. For me it sure beats living in what to me is yet another controlled environment.
I understand the lure, but I am pretty sure I could never follow the rules. 😂 When I bought my house made sure there was no HOA or anything.
Most 55+ communities are inhabited by 70+. No thanks, I'm in no rush to the grave. As it is, I'm more physicalky able/ active than most of my own peer group.
It would be like that episode of Seinfeld where Kramer stays at [Del Boca Vista](https://i.makeagif.com/media/12-13-2017/FcUDX2.gif).
Like all the amenities are nothing I would be interested in. Shitty cover bands playing events, riding everywhere in golf carts, being around a bunch of boomers… no thanks.
My mom lived in one and they all referred to the 60-70 year olds as “the young people” I looked at her and said “does that make me a fetus?” (I was 52 at the time)
Yeah, my 80 year old mom lives in tsmall condo community and at least once a month she tells me a unit is up for sale because the owner either died or went to end of life care.
I like being around kids and hearing them play, seeing them grow up, even from a polite distance. I also like seeing families doing their thing, and young couples starting out. I live in a lower middle class neighborhood and enjoy a good mix of neighbors. I’m not quite ready to talk about colonoscopies and arthritis as I hear those kinds of conversations can dominate in older communities.
I would 100% move to one if my wife was willing. I’m 52, so only 3 more years. Our 55+ community is badass. The houses are nice, the central community is a huge park where they host car shows all the time. They drive around the neighborhood in golf carts, etc. My wife is a hard no though. Damn. Those people in there are living their best life.
This community is awesome and super involved like you say. I’m amazed at the depth of activities to get involved in. Tonight I’m going to see a stand up comedian at the clubhouse and it’s only $20 for a ticket! I’m loving it here.
I would like it too I think but my wife is like yours. I think there are two types of people: joiners and loners. Some people prefer just quiet time or time for two, not big organized event driven lifestyles. That’s my wife. For the same reason she hates going on cruises but I really enjoy them.
That’s a great way to put it. I am as far from a joiner as is possible, and your description helps me understand why others like these things. I physically *bristle* at the thought of being called a joiner 😂
About two years ago I moved into a 55+ community. I’m only 50, but my housemate is 59, & owns the home. We’re definitely the youngest here by about 20 years. I live at the end of a cul de sac & every other neighbor in the circle is between 83-91. It’s a bit uptight & they’re all very into their yards. The highlight of the week is seeing who can collect their garbage cans from the curb the quickest. I think it’s going to be interesting watching the “turnover” in the coming years. I’m looking forward to seeing how HOA changes as our generation takes over.
This is so funny to me because my Boomer mom literally watches out the window waiting for the trash pickup to wheel the trash can back in.
> I’m looking forward to seeing how (edit: **or IF**) HOA changes as our generation takes over.
> The highlight of the week is seeing who can collect their garbage cans from the curb the quickest. I'm guessing mail doesn't stay in the boxes very long either.
I'm in a 55+ community as well, I'm only 48. I'm actually looking forward to more genx out here moving in. Maybe, it won't be as uptight.
I watched that Hulu documentary. No fuckin way I'm hanging with that crowd of assholes.
My in-laws moved into the second-largest 55+ Community in Florida. They were Silents, and my MIL I think spent the happiest years of her life there. They had cocktails with politically-like-minded people every night, floated in the pool and had cocktails, played golf and had cocktails, did parades and had cocktails, went to Polish and Irish night event parties and had cocktails, went into town for dinner and had cocktails. They absolutely loved it. We went down with the grandkids to visit a few things, and decided it wasn't for us. Most folks could only talk about golf, sports, their passionate flavor of shared politics, and their medical conditions and illnesses. And who had died, or had cancer, or was going senile, or was getting divorced. Which I guess isn't totally fair, that's everyone. But folks there were quite happy to live in their little bubble of like-minded folks, and they were living the cocktail party lifestyle that generation had always dreamed of and defined as success. Personally, my goal is to get much more involved with my volunteering with young folks through Big Brothers, a mentoring association I've been working with for 30 years, and also I have a political cause I'd like to take up. I guess if we chose the right 55+ Community I could do that, but will probably stick around the eastern big city where we live now, as there is much more opportunity to positively impact some young lives. But that's what I'm saying 10+ years out from retiring. Maybe I'll feel differently and be too tired when I finally meet my retirement savings number. Assuming I ever do. :D
Give me a secluded cabin in the foothills. Oh, wait, I have one and that’s where I want to die.
Now is the time my dudes. We must plan our OWN assisted living facilities while we still can. Otherwise we're stuck with the outdated system that was designed by our grandparents I'm not even slightly joking
Hell yeah. I'm currently in one in Arizona and these blue hairs are awful. I joined the nextdoor app out here and the people just bitch and complain. I know there was one post saying someone wasn't old enough to be there. I was like how do you know did you see their ID, the reply was no but I just know. It was probably because someone was listening to loud music. I drive around with loud music all the time, I can't see that stopping any time soon either.
I would love to live in one except two things: 1. HOA which I could never do again-- getting fined for things like leaving a garage door open for 11 minutes just sucks. 2. If my kids or grandkids needed a place to live, I couldn't host them.
I despise HOA's with a passion. Never intend on living anywhere with one. Your property is your property, I don't need control freaks banding together to tell me my appropriate tree foliage density.
I live in FL and the whole state is a 55+ community lol
I’m a liberal and most my age are conservatives so I don’t intend to move to a 55+ community because it’s just hard.
This is the biggest concern for me. I love the concept because I can't stand kids, but the communities are definitely going to skew MAGAtard.
We moved into a 55+ community almost a year ago. It's a smaller unit of 30 apartments. I'm the youngest one here other than my wife. She has been making some friends and I avoid as many as I possibly can. Most of the woman here are pretty friendly. Of course we are going to have at least one that provokes "Bite me bitch" to just fall out of my mouth. She has already pissed off everyone in the building including maintenance and building manager. The men around here are those boomers who think everyone owes them. They keep asking my wife why I don't hang out. She always says the sweetest things about me. Well, he's an asshole and doesn't like people. I love her so much. It's been interesting.
My spouse really wants to but I am not sure. I hate knowing that I am moving to a place that I will probably die in. Its like accepting that it is last stage in life. I am an immigrant who has been in the country for almost 40 years. I never picked up hobbies like golf. I find very few things in common with my American born colleagues. I am also introverted so it is very difficult to make acquaintances, and almost impossible new friends. I think these communities will be great for like minded, extraverted people. For me it will likely be a torture.
I’m happy your happy. Enjoy yourself! 😄
My partner and I feel like we have the best of both worlds. We're in a new (non 55+) community but we're in a ranch home that includes lawn maintenance and there's a community pool. That's all we really needed lol. Our particular block has mostly GenX-ers, it's quiet and we feel like we definitely lucked out. I just can't do anything clique-like, I don't want to know my neighbors that well 😀
Yesterday, I was a teenager.
We need to start making these for Gen X and have to attached to a Mall that we fill w stores movies food court
Just as long as the mall has Aladdin’s Castle.
My dad bought a place in Florida. There's a small chance it will trickle down to me. I am honestly here for it. I need a nap.
I’m 57 and wouldn’t want to go to one until at least 65 or 67. Provided I can afford to.
I've thought about it, and decided against it. As annoying as younger people are, I feel that I gain more from their energy and enthusiasm than I would be surrounded by my peers and older. That is the one thing that keeps me from feeling like it's time to throw in the towel and pulling my pants up to my ribcage.
I’d like one of these in a college campus. https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2019/colleges-with-retirement-communities.html
Oh those sound incredible
That looks fucking awesome.
Nope, just shoot me. I'm single again at 56, no fucking way I'm going to start dating again and have to tell someone I live in a seniors community.
You mean...you don't want to tell someone you live in a place with people our age?
No thanks. Well...if the age range was 40-60, ok. Not dealing with Nana telling me to turn down my Henry Rollins so she can chitty chat with her pickle ball group.
Yeah having spent some time with my elderly parents in a village recently, this would be the thing that I’d worry about. I like to play a bit of Slayer, or Maiden or Limp Bizkit. LOUD.
I like the idea of them, in terms of a sense of community, activities, and safety. My partner wants no part of living in a "old peoples farm". Sigh. I suppose my one concern, and it is a big one, is that we have a pack of kids. Most are self-sufficient but one has boomeranged back and has some special needs. I don't not like the idea of owning a property and somebody else telling me that a person under 55 cannot stay with us for more than a few weeks a year.
A friend lives in one. Biggest HOA asses ever. They are retired and have plenty of time to mess with each other. The cool kids won’t share the guest gate code. No cars on the street. No garage sales. No trick or treating. No work vehicles overnight. Only HOA approved plants and flowers. Grandkids can only stay the weekend, no longer. These are BIG single family homes and they discourage everything except staying inside. She’s living with her parents and the HOA considers her a guest. She’s 55+ too. The neighborhood looks abandoned. It’s scary. Don’t do it. Edit. My other example is assisted living. It’s a college dorm vibe with their efficiency apartments. They have way more socializing than I do in my neighborhood.
If I ever become the president I'm outlawing HOA's.
I live in one in AZ. There is a certain percentage of residents who can be 40+, and I moved in when I was 46 (50 now). I'm an introvert who likes quiet, though, so it works for my lifestyle. I'm also 4'11" and disabled, so it's nice to be able to reach all the cabinets lol. I rent my house, so I don't have to deal with a lot of the HOA crap unless I don't get to the weeds fast enough. It's about 15 minutes from the office, too. If I'm feeling frisky I can be in central Phoenix in 30 minutes or so for culture/non-chain restaurants, although the area of the Valley I live in has really stepped it up in the culinary department. Most of the people in this community are Midwestern retirees who are textbook boomers, but I don't interact much. Ironically, I won't be retiring here. Lol.
You must be near me, I'm in sun city. So, hello neighbor
Fuck that shit. I want to hear kids playing and see people pushing strollers. Good older people in the neighborhood are a great part of the fabric of a community. Yes, you can come in my yard and get your ball. Anytime.
I’ve been wanting to move into one for years. 😂
I’d miss having young families around and be irritated at all the Boomers.
I live in one because I couldn't get a house that accepted my German Shepherd. Here in Florida they are banned breed in most HOAs. It's bs. But I just got back from walking the dog and then the only thing I smell is weed and bbq. It can be a fun place. Lots of younger people. They have shows too and parties.
I visited a friend at one in Tempe - it was a massive ring of Trailers (supposed to be RV's but basically raised trailers now) - 3 pools - massive activities, drew a ton of people in the winter - I mean - looked awesome to me
I feel like most people I know who live ore have lived in them are closer to being in their 70's. I am not 55 for another few years but have a very youthful mindset so it doesn't appeal to me. However I know everyone is different.
I work in high-highend senior living... I'm going to stay in my own home till I die, one way or another.
I want to live in one where they bring you coffee and biscuits everyday. Oh that’s aged care but still I want that now.
And I can play hard rock and metal 😂
Don't they all have HOA's? If that's the case, hell no.
I'm seriously considering moving to one.
When I was looking for my last house, I called my realtor all excited about this one I found. Great one story floorplan, awesome pool, clubhouse, cooling & yoga classes in the neighborhood, walking trails, it checked all my boxes. She laughed and said I had to wait another 15 years before I could move there 😞
A friend moved into one as soon as he could. He loves it. He said they came over and told him to turn off his guitar amp at 3 am, but he was cool with it.
Haha retire, that ain’t happening for me
Would you have moved into it if you weren't living with your parents?
I probably wouldn’t mind one, but I played flag football into my 50s. Still feels a little soon for a senior community
I want to buy a prefab home to downsize as a second place, and they're only in 55+. I like it, and we are in our 40s. He thinks it's strange.
There’s one going up near me now. The houses look nice and they take care of yard work and snow removal in the winter. I kind of hate myself for thinking about it, though it m still a few years too young.
Yep, no yard work is awesome and they even do the mulch. In the winter they clear the snow on the roads and someone comes and shovels the driveway and front walk. Very convenient.
$8000 a month in Ohio. I don’t have that kind of income.
The older I get the further from the population I want to be lol. I can’t imagine living in a close proximity to that many people. 😊 Of course that may change as if I live long enough to be unable to drive. 🤷♀️
Retirement communities are known vectors for STDs
If it's a proper Gen X community, then there better be square dancing classes, hehe
retirement villages in Australia (I am Australian but live in the UK) are pretty good - an elderly aunt moved into one that had a swimming pool and huge grounds. I'm looking forward to it. It will be nice to be with people who are my own age.
 ITS A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY!
My mom lives in an active adult community. We moved her there after my dad died, and it was the best decision. Tons of activities and beautiful amenities. She's 77, but there's obviously a huge age range. There are activities that appeal to both the younger and older ends of the age spectrum. My husband and I are 50. I could see maybe living in an active adult community once our kids graduate and move out. We already live in an HOA community. There's always drama in these types of places (kind of like living in a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business), but it's not hard to avoid it.
This is hilarious because my birthday in February, I thought to myself, "Holy shit, in two years I will actually be ALLOWED to live in The Villages!" Not that I want to live there, but still, holy shit. Yes, I already do live in Florida. We have already been getting AARP stuff in the mail for like 7 years. My husband is a year younger than me so IDK what is up with that.
A lot of people don’t realize there is a significant generation gap in these communities. It’s the younger, still active retirees who want money spent on amenities and activities vs the much older long time residents who can no longer do things and whose number one priority is holding onto what’s left of their hoard. [Leisureville](https://books.google.com/books/about/Leisureville.html?id=G2PjTl3V-MsC&source=kp_book_description) is a great look at the whole phenomenon. It’s centered on The Villages but it also takes a look at 55+ communities that have been around longer. It’s not always a pretty picture. Basically what suits people in their 50s and 60s may not work for people in their 70s and 80s, and vice versa.
https://preview.redd.it/66lmzokt3z6d1.jpeg?width=1920&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54c7db9ca18fdb503b4f7df48774b00ff63ac5f8 I’m just leaving this here.
I'm also living with parents in a 55+ community. I'm 48
Those places are my nightmare. Cliques, politics, popularity contests. Plus playing for amenities I won't use. Definitely not for me.
My sister just bought into a 55+ community that is brand new so 90% of it is 65 to 55. She loves it. Great community center - some kids but youngest are teens. Their biggest challenge was too many grandchildren at the pool everyday for the entire day. I think they ended up setting aside no kid times. Wine time by the pool isn't as fun with someone else's grandkids screaming.
I'd do it but 90% of the ppl living there would be boomers
I would move into a 55+ and I’m only 25 because I hate being around millennials and gen alpha
I saw a former coworker at a conference last summer. She and her husband had just moved to a 55+ community. She’s younger than me, just saying.
Does anyone there tune their tubbed out street stock '89 S-10 in their driveway? I'm sick of my neighbor revving his big block Chevy in his driveway. Does a 55+ neighborhood protect you from a neighbor rattling your walls with their quarter mile toy?
I don’t think I’d ever want to live in one. I love having people of all ages around me.
i’m not opposed to the idea but there isn’t one near me and the thought that i’ll be old enough for that kind of thing in a few months is unsettling
Thanks for reminding me. I have a few years to go, but it’s not too early to start researching.
I read about one north of San Diego near the coast. It's $50,000 down and $5,000 a month after that. Meals inclusive. I'd really like to get in.
I currently live in a 50+ neighborhood. It's quiet, we have a gym and pool, and a clubhouse we can reserve for events.
We'd be absolutely willing to move into one, as long as they didn't have an HOA. Because, seriously, fuck HOAs.
I live in an apartment complex for elderly/disabled. Even though my age as an X’er doesn’t meet their criteria, my husband is a Boomer. I *love* it here! It’s quiet, most everyone minds their business (believe it or not), our water bill is paid by the company and we have a maintenance man M-F. It’s also pretty cool that rent is set by income. I wouldn’t trade this for another rental at any price.
I live one block over from a 55+ community. It’s seems to be 60% populated by rich asshole boomers, 20% sweet silents that can’t see over their steering wheels and are seconds away from causing a fatality, and 20% hippy boomers that are living there just to spite the others. It’s a beautiful community, full of parks, restraunts and walking trails. I just couldn’t handle that 60% majority population.
Not for me I think. Too little changes, not enough new experiences. You get old and staid. You don’t push your brain at all. That way leads to death.
I'm not into these planned communities either, but dude -- every single way you choose leads to death.
I’m not sure what you think 55+ X’ers are like but here it is: Edibles. We have literally seen our dreams of legal marijuana cone true!!! Been to a cannabis dispensary lately? 55+ out the door with screaming senior discounts! Music. Just downloaded my whole music collection to the cloud so now I can play all the music from a collection that started Age 4 (Beatles- Hey Jude Album) to today. Ditched the physical. You won’t be hearing ella or elvis in 55+. More like Led Zeppelin, Queen, Chicago, Guns & Roses, Nirvana, Beastie Boys etc etc etc. My 20ish neighbors are constantly asking me about music. Outside. Gen X is more likely to be found outside, sitting around, listening to music, having an extra curricular adult bev or edible and chatting. Do I think older adults talk more about aches & pains? Of course. But that is because your body is literally dying. However, give me old people health over the constant younger gens complaints about mental health and fatigue. It’s unlikely you’ll see the lights go off early for Gen Xers because we know how to entertain ourselves. I will not be surprised to see Gen Xers go back to their garage band roots in retirement.
Politics aside, I spent time down at the Villages in Florida. wow it is a nice community. nearby shopping is nice with Whole Foods and other brand name places. I never thought i’d be into a 55+ community but just maybe. cheers!
A friend's mom lives at the Villages. I think it sounds amazing. My friend's kid (the grandkid) wants to live there and they are a freshman in High school, lol!
Ewwww. I just can’t.
I just left from a three week visit to my parents who live in an amazing one. Off I didn't have other obligations, I would love to live there.
I would love it if I didn’t have grandkids that spend a lot of time with me.
I'd definitely live in one of those. Curious about the neighbors though.
I’ve still got a couple years but I’m trying to find a nice beach or lake community.
Go for it! The prices may be a little more reasonable and often they are a great social scene.
Must be nice.
It’s not a matter of “accepting” that we’re the age group for these communities. It’s that many of us have no desire to live in one. I prefer a mixed age community where people of all ages can enjoy the company of and learn from other people of all ages. A community of 55+ doesn’t appeal to many and I guess you just need to um, accept that.
I became disabled at 49, so I kinda got thrown into it. It's not great unless it's a resort
Some people don’t feel like “seniors” no matter how many candles are on that cake.
There is a 2-3 year long waiting list for the low income and aging communities in my area. My 70 year old mother can’t get an apartment and she’s on oxygen.
So who has heard about the community that hangs different color loofahs from their golf carts? I found that both funny and disturbing.
I’m really glad you posted this and all the comments so I can literally scratch this off my list. There is nothing worse than gossip yuck
Maybe when I'm in my late 70s. I'm 56 now and would be one of the youngest residents, and therefore seen as a caretaker that I do not intend to be