topic Re: 55+ Retirement Communities in Community Chat

55+ Retirement Communities

lor — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 05:19:16 GMT

Does anyone live in a 55+ Community? I'm interested in looking at locations in Florida and possibly Tennesee. Would appreciate any comments as to your experience and opinions. I presently live in Florida but seeking a gated community for active seniors primarily for activities, companionship and security. Thanks much.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

tansy — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 06:07:19 GMT

Hi, lor. Have you ever checked out the forums at city-data? You could search the Tennessee and Florida forums for 55-plus communities, as well as their retirement forum.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

chiclet — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 11:49:22 GMT

I live in a retirement community in Florida and like it. A lot depends on your income. In Tennessee there are only the more expensive communities. In Florida there is a variety from brick homes to manufactured homes. Make sure they do a background check on residents and that way you will be assured you are living in a safe community.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

KathyPet — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 12:02:08 GMT

I live in one in Virginia. Simply do a search on Retirement communities in Tennessee and a entire list shows up. You will need to narrow it down by geographic area. They all have web sites you can look at.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

melfie — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 14:19:44 GMT

Are you looking for extravagant or modest? What is your budget? There are a number of posters who live in The Villages in FL. Do a search and the old threads should pop up. Trilogy 55+ communities are located across the country. There are a couple in FL. Those are quite nice.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

YorkieonmyPillow — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 14:33:19 GMT

Do these communities have real security or is there an illusion of security?

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

millieshops — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 15:59:18 GMT

On 3/15/2015 YorkieonmyPillow said:
Do these communities have real security or is there an illusion of security?

I think the guard at the gate provides some security in that it keeps out joyriders and lazy thieves, but there is no real security from determined evil doers.

I live in a community that hires its guard for only 8 hours a day with the main purpose being to record the entrance of commercial traffic. The story I've been told is that some years back, people pretending they were coming to provide services were actually casing the streets.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

Financialgrl — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 16:27:48 GMT

On 3/15/2015 millieshops said:
On 3/15/2015 YorkieonmyPillow said:
Do these communities have real security or is there an illusion of security?

I think the guard at the gate provides some security in that it keeps out joyriders and lazy thieves, but there is no real security from determined evil doers.

I live in a community that hires its guard for only 8 hours a day with the main purpose being to record the entrance of commercial traffic. The story I've been told is that some years back, people pretending they were coming to provide services were actually casing the streets.

Two friends live in different communities. Both started out having manned 24/7 entrance with guards; however, it was temporary and always meant to be. Once the community was sold out, and there were no new builds the guard stand remained but they installed an "arm" that comes down at the entrance between the hours of 8pm and 6am. You need a remote to gain entrance and the exit uses motion sensors to open the gate. Here's the funny thing - its got a very pretty fence around the perimeter (very fancy but like a pasture fence) and anyone can climb thru it or over it, even me! It's like lots of things - it truly only keeps the honest people out but there has been very little crime ever reported.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

CelticCrafter — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 16:37:18 GMT

On 3/15/2015 Financialgrl said:
On 3/15/2015 millieshops said:
On 3/15/2015 YorkieonmyPillow said:
Do these communities have real security or is there an illusion of security?

I think the guard at the gate provides some security in that it keeps out joyriders and lazy thieves, but there is no real security from determined evil doers.

I live in a community that hires its guard for only 8 hours a day with the main purpose being to record the entrance of commercial traffic. The story I've been told is that some years back, people pretending they were coming to provide services were actually casing the streets.

Two friends live in different communities. Both started out having manned 24/7 entrance with guards; however, it was temporary and always meant to be. Once the community was sold out, and there were no new builds the guard stand remained but they installed an "arm" that comes down at the entrance between the hours of 8pm and 6am. You need a remote to gain entrance and the exit uses motion sensors to open the gate. Here's the funny thing - its got a very pretty fence around the perimeter (very fancy but like a pasture fence) and anyone can climb thru it or over it, even me! It's like lots of things - it truly only keeps the honest people out but there has been very little crime ever reported.

I'm being serious, how do emergency personnel and vehicles gain access?

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

LilacTree — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 16:54:20 GMT

I bought a home in one of them to be near my kids at the shore after I retired. There were no guards, but most of the homes had security systems installed. It was a lovely place, but I had to move in under three years because of circumstances.

Other than a rather strict list of rules and regulations, I liked it there.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

GusMo — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 17:32:40 GMT

On 3/15/2015 CelticCrafter said:
On 3/15/2015 Financialgrl said:
On 3/15/2015 millieshops said:
On 3/15/2015 YorkieonmyPillow said:
Do these communities have real security or is there an illusion of security?

I think the guard at the gate provides some security in that it keeps out joyriders and lazy thieves, but there is no real security from determined evil doers.

I live in a community that hires its guard for only 8 hours a day with the main purpose being to record the entrance of commercial traffic. The story I've been told is that some years back, people pretending they were coming to provide services were actually casing the streets.

Two friends live in different communities. Both started out having manned 24/7 entrance with guards; however, it was temporary and always meant to be. Once the community was sold out, and there were no new builds the guard stand remained but they installed an "arm" that comes down at the entrance between the hours of 8pm and 6am. You need a remote to gain entrance and the exit uses motion sensors to open the gate. Here's the funny thing - its got a very pretty fence around the perimeter (very fancy but like a pasture fence) and anyone can climb thru it or over it, even me! It's like lots of things - it truly only keeps the honest people out but there has been very little crime ever reported.

I'm being serious, how do emergency personnel and vehicles gain access?

In gated communities, there is a code for emergency responders on the key pad or a remote they use for the lifting bars.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

Financialgrl — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 18:24:26 GMT

Celtic - two friends that live in such communities have signs that emergency/fire/rescue can use their yelp siren and the gates automatically open (just like the fire trucks use to change the stoplights so they can go thru, it's the same concept). They also have a call button with an emergency button and should there be an issue with yelp, it connects to all people on the gate committee who can open the gate remotely from their home. The yelp siren has never been an issue in either community and I suspect it may be standard on all such gate entry systems.

As a last resort, a heavy rescue vehicle can easily break thru the arm on a gate.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

juliet — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 18:43:40 GMT

in mine there are 24/7 guards at every gate but they are all members of the community so not sure how secure that really is.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

traveler — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 19:02:49 GMT

We have one here called a co=op. If you go into the hospital and do not return in a set time period your unit is claimed by the co-op and resold.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

Burnsite — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 19:06:43 GMT

I wish I could help the OP, but I haven't liked gated communities (they are common in a place I once lived). I did a search and they actually attracted more crime than the kind of bohemian places I prefer. It's almost like putting up a target sign in FL.

I am getting up there myself, and think one of the great temptations of getting older and being around retirement age is an obsession with medical emergencies.

I personally do not want to indulge that. It can rob people of life and joy just as much as a sudden illness. Just my thought. Also: I dislike a few of my new neighbors (my neck of the world is getting yuppified, ugh). But I love the chatter of their kids at play. For that reason alone, I don't think I could live in a community restricted by age. Another of my neighbors, who may be around 100 at this point, is holding on at home with the support of her family.

I love a mix of stories on the block, and I love an open community, even if that is a bit intrusive at times. I very much dislike a silly gate between me and reality, good or bad or both.

Edited to add something I forgot: I strongly second Tansy's suggestion of the City Data Forum--so helpful for considering a big move. Excellent resource.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

dulwich — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 19:19:18 GMT

We lived in a gated over 55 community for 2 years. Lovely house on the golf course, lots of activities and clubs, etc. but it was so boring! Never saw any children or heard any noises, our side of the road had monthly pot luck parties but "do not invite anyone from across the road only our side." One neighbor painted her front door a different color and there had to be a community meeting and she was told to repaint. Be wary of all the rules and regs. All these facilities do not come cheap and we had lots of "snowbirds" buying properties - people who only come for the winter sunshine - so prices in stores soared at that time. When my grandchildren visited one said to me " Nana do they lock you all in at night? And where are any kids?" Loved my house but sold and moved to a "proper" small town where we see children! buskers! artists, in fact general people which we love. Just make sure and check it all out - moving is costly.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

HHC1 — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 20:29:53 GMT

Special note about the 55 plus communities....Not sure where you fall in this age group or whether it matters to you, But, the majority of residents in these communities are 70 & above.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

ROMARY — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 20:42:53 GMT

It sure would be nice to find new friends who are 55+ .......... Check the communities out on Yelp, too. You have plenty of time to do a lot of research before you decide. I'm guessing the golf course communities would be nice, and rather peaceful, too. Lots of good luck to you.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

Azcowgirl — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 21:12:34 GMT

We had a home on the golf course fairway in a lovely 55+ active adult community , sold and moved because of a job promotion, but liked it and I had a sense of security when going for evening walks alone, at least I didn't have a fear of mean dogs on the loose . I have found that I do like to hear the sound of childrens laughter outside playing, and having younger families around is nice IMO.....DH wants to look into another over 55 community when he's fully retired, so we will check into it again, and see how we feel. ETA.....one thing though, that drove me crazy, and I called the project manager to ask his thoughts on it, was the problem with BUGS. Bugs of all kinds.... because the fairway environment with the grass and irrigation, was the big attraction for insects, and I vacuumed my upholstered furniture every single day, because when the beams of sunlight would come in through the windows, I could see new little webs every day. Being phobic about spiders, It drove me crazy. Pest control helped some, but now I don't think I'd ever live on a fairway again because of it.

Re: 55+ Retirement Communities

lulu2 — Sun, 15 Mar 2015 21:18:07 GMT

If you are considering a community centered around a golf course, be careful of the home's location. My BIL thought it would be great living on the edge of a course, that is until their windows were covered with spider web cracks as well as broken.