Downside of over 55 communities
mergie
21 years ago
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Elmer J Fudd
6 years agoUser
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Comprehensive list of over 55 (only) communities by state?
Comments (5)Thanks leel! Would you believe I work in the admin office of our county's school library program and it didn't occur to me to check the local library...lol! I wish this forum was more active....I would think it would be with so many of us boomers reaching retirement age....See MoreAffordable 55+ Communities in Maine?
Comments (5)WantToRetire, I appreciate your input, but the thought of renting an apartment (kids and other unruly types) is abhorrent at my age. But you are correct about retirement developments being expensive. Even "independent living" facilities apartments (1+1) start at over $2300/month rent only. Some 55+ developments in Southern Maine where one might buy a stand-alone condo charge low six figures as a buy-in fee, then there's the cost of the actual condo itself - from the high $200Ks to over a half million. HOAs and remaining utilities are extra of course. One 55+ development I investigated charges two monthly fees for those who buy stand-alone condos: the first is a "land rent" fee of $500/month, then there's the usual HOA fee of $300 to $400/month for utilities, outside maintenance, etc....See Moreover 55 -developements
Comments (31)Friends bought in an age-restricted, gated community in California about ten years ago. We've visited them. It's not for me, and I really doubt it's for them, but they couldn't get their money out if they sold now. As for being 'gated', there is a gate, but no fencing! This means that an ambulance has to wait to clear the gate; any burglar could walk through the property. The homes are single-family, single-level, all white. The landscaping is perfectly maintained. It's completely SILENT. There are no pedestrians. Eerie. As we approached our friends' home the first day I couldn't quite place the feeling I had. When we drove off two days later I recognized what I felt. It was like a gigantic mausoleum. My friend writes that this neighbor or that one is coping with a dying spouse or is now widowed, or that so-and-so has sickened and died. It's darn depressing! In an ordinary community there's a balance; none there. Why do builders continue to build these developments? Because Seniors are a large source of cash in this economy. We've never wanted a so-called 'no maintenence' community. We'd rather decide for ourselves what needs maintaining and who we want to do the work -- not pay dues to a committee that awards the work -- or doesn't think work we want done is necessary. We don't golf and don't want to pay to support a course. We have an excellent Senior Center in our town with minimal membership fees and activities we can participate in (and pay for) as we wish. Our library is excellent. We're minutes from town and medical care. Our friends are not exactly 'nowhere', but you can see it from there! LOL They have a long drive to hospitals, doctors and shops. (There are some nearby, but not top-notch.) We own a vacation rental condo on Maui in a development of over 300. Some owners are in default on their fees. Some have been foreclosed upon. The association is last in line to collect on a lein. It gets no money while a propety sits on the market, and little even when it sells. I don't want this situation for my main residence....See MoreAnybody here heard of OLLI? (over 55 lifelong learning)
Comments (16)We have Lifelong Learning Institute here at a local university. This is my 3rd semester doing it. It's wonderful. The classes are strictly for seniors and are all so varied each time. I do have to say that some classes (and instructors) are better than others, and some are not so terrific. Last semester, while I enjoyed it, I felt the offerings were pretty lackluster and I didn't go as faithfully. This semester, (we are about 1/2 way into it) is really a good one. I do it strictly for enjoyment and can't say I retain too much! It's also really nice that the campus is lovely. There is a nice cafeteria and library and even walking paths. They are very accomodating of the seniors. ( I am 66 and one of the younger ones). It's definitely worth trying out. For the first time you try it, I believe it is $75 to take 3 courses. After that, it is $175 per semester. They do have a yearly offering which includes summer classes as well....See Moresushipup1
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