Community Chat

[melfie]

On 3/16/2015 Topaz Gem said:

When I retire, I would never live in a place like that. The stress of following all the strict rules and regulations isn't something I would enjoy at retirement age. One of my co-workers was researching them and spoke with a resident who told her that she was written up by the board because her outside planter was in the wrong spot. Are you kidding me???? They want all the homes to look identical, kind of like Stepford homes. There's no individuality whatsoever. Of course some communities are stricter than others, so do extensive research.

My friend also received feedback that the much older residents have nothing better to do than to watch what the younger ones are doing. They gossip and constantly go to the office and complain that things are out of place, etc. Not my cup of tea.

I was wondering about the gossip part.

[Topaz Gem]

On 3/16/2015 melfie said:

On 3/16/2015 Topaz Gem said:

When I retire, I would never live in a place like that. The stress of following all the strict rules and regulations isn't something I would enjoy at retirement age. One of my co-workers was researching them and spoke with a resident who told her that she was written up by the board because her outside planter was in the wrong spot. Are you kidding me???? They want all the homes to look identical, kind of like Stepford homes. There's no individuality whatsoever. Of course some communities are stricter than others, so do extensive research.

My friend also received feedback that the much older residents have nothing better to do than to watch what the younger ones are doing. They gossip and constantly go to the office and complain that things are out of place, etc. Not my cup of tea.

I was wondering about the gossip part.

Well, I don't have specifics, naturally, but the older residents no longer work and fill their time walking around sticking their noses into the business of others, LOL. If they see something out of place, they'll report you to the property management. Also, they tend to fill their time watching who may come to visit you, etc., how many cars are in your driveway, etc. All petty things, IMO.

[MyShadowLove]

On 3/16/2015 Topaz Gem said:

On 3/16/2015 melfie said:

On 3/16/2015 Topaz Gem said:

When I retire, I would never live in a place like that. The stress of following all the strict rules and regulations isn't something I would enjoy at retirement age. One of my co-workers was researching them and spoke with a resident who told her that she was written up by the board because her outside planter was in the wrong spot. Are you kidding me???? They want all the homes to look identical, kind of like Stepford homes. There's no individuality whatsoever. Of course some communities are stricter than others, so do extensive research.

My friend also received feedback that the much older residents have nothing better to do than to watch what the younger ones are doing. They gossip and constantly go to the office and complain that things are out of place, etc. Not my cup of tea.

I was wondering about the gossip part.

Well, I don't have specifics, naturally, but the older residents no longer work and fill their time walking around sticking their noses into the business of others, LOL. If they see something out of place, they'll report you to the property management. Also, they tend to fill their time watching who may come to visit you, etc., how many cars are in your driveway, etc. All petty things, IMO.

I have a relative who moved to one about three years ago, and she is getting out as soon as possible!

It seems that her neighbors seem to know every time she is out in her yard...one has even gone so far as to stick her head out her bathroom window to get her attention and will blabber on for eternity! lol

ETA: I have a sister whose DIL's parents live in The Villages in Florida and they love it, so it definitely varies, depending on each person's preferences and lifestyle...I, myself, don't plan on isolating myself from the general population once I'm able to retire.

[Topaz Gem]

On 3/16/2015 wildflowers said:

On 3/16/2015 Topaz Gem said:

On 3/16/2015 melfie said:

On 3/16/2015 Topaz Gem said:

When I retire, I would never live in a place like that. The stress of following all the strict rules and regulations isn't something I would enjoy at retirement age. One of my co-workers was researching them and spoke with a resident who told her that she was written up by the board because her outside planter was in the wrong spot. Are you kidding me???? They want all the homes to look identical, kind of like Stepford homes. There's no individuality whatsoever. Of course some communities are stricter than others, so do extensive research.

My friend also received feedback that the much older residents have nothing better to do than to watch what the younger ones are doing. They gossip and constantly go to the office and complain that things are out of place, etc. Not my cup of tea.

I was wondering about the gossip part.

Well, I don't have specifics, naturally, but the older residents no longer work and fill their time walking around sticking their noses into the business of others, LOL. If they see something out of place, they'll report you to the property management. Also, they tend to fill their time watching who may come to visit you, etc., how many cars are in your driveway, etc. All petty things, IMO.

I have a relative who moved to one about three years ago, and she is getting out as soon as possible!

It seems that her neighbors seem to know every time she is out in her yard...one has even gone so far as to stick her head out her bathroom window to get her attention and will blabber on for eternity! lol

ETA: I have a sister whose DIL's parents live in The Villages in Florida and they love it, so it definitely varies, depending on each person's preferences and lifestyle...I, myself, don't plan on isolating myself from the general population once I'm able to retire.

I've heard good things about The Villages too.

[Stella Dallas]

No, not really. I like living where I am, in a neighborhood that has everyone and everything. Being stuck with nothing but older people would be incredibly boring. I like the sound of kids playing, the neighbors working on their houses, chatting with my neighbors (of all kinds), etc.

Although I do like the idea of not having to do my own housework or prepare my own meals; that sounds like heaven but it's not enough to get me into a senior housing development.

I never even thought about the gossip (no privacy) part; that would send me around the bend pretty quickly.

[PenneyT]

On 3/16/2015 Stella Dallas said:

No, not really. I like living where I am, in a neighborhood that has everyone and everything. Being stuck with nothing but older people would be incredibly boring. I like the sound of kids playing, the neighbors working on their houses, chatting with my neighbors (of all kinds), etc.

Although I do like the idea of not having to do my own housework or prepare my own meals; that sounds like heaven but it's not enough to get me into a senior housing development.

I never even thought about the gossip (no privacy) part; that would send me around the bend pretty quickly.

These are my feelings also! :0)

[Gooday]

I am laughing at the irony here. For all intents and purposes, gossip is what this board is about. Sure, opinions, knowledge, jokes and information is shared. Some people are posting day and night. In all communities you have gossips and for that there is a simple solution. Listen and let it go in one ear and out the other. It's the same in all working environments. I enjoy all the activities provided. I have made friends from all over the U.S. and Canada. I'll take this over kids and heavy rush hour traffic any day. I paid my dues.

[Topaz Gem]

On 3/16/2015 Gooday said: I am laughing at the irony here. For all intents and purposes, gossip is what this board is about. Sure, opinions, knowledge, jokes and information is shared. Some people are posting day and night. In all communities you have gossips and for that there is a simple solution. Listen and let it go in one ear and out the other. It's the same in all working environments. I enjoy all the activities provided. I have made friends from all over the U.S. and Canada. I'll take this over kids and heavy rush hour traffic any day. I paid my dues.

I see your point, but voluntarily participating in an online forum is quite different from the busy-body Gladys Kravitz-type gossiping that you might incur in an adult community. It can be quite intrusive and it would only bother you if you were the target.

[Gooday]

People can only gossip if you give them the ammo. Again, EVERY neighborhood has one or two just like there is the neighborhood lush or the neighbor who let's their dog go on lawns. We have a compliance officer that does as much good as bad. There are those who let their homes get run down or someone who would paint their home bright purple, or put up a 10 foot fence. You know the rules when you live in a community like this whether or not it's a 55+ community or a family community. Sometimes the people protesting the most are the violators. Read your by-laws. Condo and townhome owners have them too.

[ROMARY]

I don't live in a gated community, but I sure see one or two folks actually stopping in front of newer, well landscaped front lawns, letting their dog on a leash do it's 'business'. I'm thinking, if one is going to do something like that, at least pick a front yard that isn't so perfect and as well-kept. Plenty of folks around here haven't been keeping their lawns watered, etc. More important: Plenty of soil/dirt areas along the way, too, for dog 'p**ing'.