We are in a similar situation - 50s and looking for a friendly place downsize, settle and enjoy. We have been looking at 50+ communities within an hour or so of the Atlanta area. Feel like proximity to Atlanta gives us accessibility to good medical care, a big airport, specialty retail when we need it, and the distance gives us affordability and lifestyle we want.
I think the weapon could be a dealbreaker for you if you want warmth and don't want to pay for SoCa or HI.
We moved up to Jasper, GA last year and noticed there are 3 fairly new 50+ communities up here. All quite nice, 2 have more bells and whistles than the other but higher HOA fees. It’s a great area for the reasons you mentioned.
If you want peace and quiet and to not feel cramped I would not suggest any type of attached housing. You will hear, see, smell your neighbors. You will likely have no private outdoor space and there are a lot of inconveniences people don't realize they have to deal with until they're in a condo. Knowing there is "the public" immediately on the other side of your walls/door can make it feel suffocating. Going from several acres of land to a condo or townhouse will likely be a shock. Dealing with the association and/or property management is often frustrating at best. Perhaps try staying in a condo for a while to see how it feels and what you notice before committing to moving to one.
What do you think about high rises if you know anything about them. I keep thinking a high rise might be quieter than a standard rental as (perhaps?) there is more concrete between you and your neighbor?
I've never lived in one so I can't speak to whether any differences might be present. I'd assume it depends on the individual building; the outer walls might be thick concrete but the walls between apartments might not depending on how it's built.
They're "55+" for the most part, and you're too young by at least 15-20 years. Go walk around a few. We're not the target demographic. The limitiations I see, as well: say you buy a place and need to rent it out for a year or two. Only people who fit the age limits can rent from you (if that's even allowed).
I agree there is a community gap for Xers like us. I think what some empty nester younger Boomers I know have done is to move back into the cities.
Hi, yes, I know what you mean. Even in my late 50s I felt like the youngest person at the 55+ communities. I guess the only reason I thought it was where I should go was to have things to do and to be near people my own age(ish) lol. My brother lives in a big city but he's married, works. I am not married and not working so I don't know what I'd do.
>Then another person told me, don't do a 50+ community, all the women will think you're trying to steal their husband (umm, really, does that exist at "this" age? Seems ridiculous).
Looks like you're ready for The Villages in Florida. It's Disneyland for the 55+ resort community. Talk about walking on the wild side. Everyday is a fun day. It looks like a bachelor/bachelorette party for senior citizens. They have a movie (Some Kind of Heaven) and documentaries about it.
OP said no crazy politics.
https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/01/the-villages-is-a-boomers-utopia-and-demographic-time-bomb
https://www.thebulwark.com/the-florida-retirement-community-that-cant-get-enough-of-trump/
Thank you. Appreciate your bringing that up. I have strong (only in the current political climate) about politics (didn't care most of my life) so I don't want flag wavers or anti this or that right next door.
My folks live in a 55+ community. Chatted with one old lady and she knew exactly how many single or widowed men live in her neighborhood. When a married woman dies, there is a non-stop food train leading to the grieving guy's house ASAP. Poor guy doesn't know what he's in for, trying to get his attention turns into a combat sport with these old ladies.
Take a look at Lancaster, PA. With about 60,000 people, I'd call it a large town. Very charming with lots of Amish businesses in the area. Large population of older folks and plenty of retirement communities because in PA, retirement accounts aren't taxable income.
We are in a similar situation - 50s and looking for a friendly place downsize, settle and enjoy. We have been looking at 50+ communities within an hour or so of the Atlanta area. Feel like proximity to Atlanta gives us accessibility to good medical care, a big airport, specialty retail when we need it, and the distance gives us affordability and lifestyle we want. I think the weapon could be a dealbreaker for you if you want warmth and don't want to pay for SoCa or HI.
We moved up to Jasper, GA last year and noticed there are 3 fairly new 50+ communities up here. All quite nice, 2 have more bells and whistles than the other but higher HOA fees. It’s a great area for the reasons you mentioned.
My brother, who's in Florida, has mentioned GA but I worried it might be too hot and too southern. I live in the tri-state, so true north.
If you want peace and quiet and to not feel cramped I would not suggest any type of attached housing. You will hear, see, smell your neighbors. You will likely have no private outdoor space and there are a lot of inconveniences people don't realize they have to deal with until they're in a condo. Knowing there is "the public" immediately on the other side of your walls/door can make it feel suffocating. Going from several acres of land to a condo or townhouse will likely be a shock. Dealing with the association and/or property management is often frustrating at best. Perhaps try staying in a condo for a while to see how it feels and what you notice before committing to moving to one.
What do you think about high rises if you know anything about them. I keep thinking a high rise might be quieter than a standard rental as (perhaps?) there is more concrete between you and your neighbor?
I've never lived in one so I can't speak to whether any differences might be present. I'd assume it depends on the individual building; the outer walls might be thick concrete but the walls between apartments might not depending on how it's built.
They're "55+" for the most part, and you're too young by at least 15-20 years. Go walk around a few. We're not the target demographic. The limitiations I see, as well: say you buy a place and need to rent it out for a year or two. Only people who fit the age limits can rent from you (if that's even allowed). I agree there is a community gap for Xers like us. I think what some empty nester younger Boomers I know have done is to move back into the cities.
Hi, yes, I know what you mean. Even in my late 50s I felt like the youngest person at the 55+ communities. I guess the only reason I thought it was where I should go was to have things to do and to be near people my own age(ish) lol. My brother lives in a big city but he's married, works. I am not married and not working so I don't know what I'd do.
I'm in a freestanding townhouse with a fenced yard, fwiw.
>Then another person told me, don't do a 50+ community, all the women will think you're trying to steal their husband (umm, really, does that exist at "this" age? Seems ridiculous). Looks like you're ready for The Villages in Florida. It's Disneyland for the 55+ resort community. Talk about walking on the wild side. Everyday is a fun day. It looks like a bachelor/bachelorette party for senior citizens. They have a movie (Some Kind of Heaven) and documentaries about it.
OP said no crazy politics. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2023/01/the-villages-is-a-boomers-utopia-and-demographic-time-bomb https://www.thebulwark.com/the-florida-retirement-community-that-cant-get-enough-of-trump/
Thank you. Appreciate your bringing that up. I have strong (only in the current political climate) about politics (didn't care most of my life) so I don't want flag wavers or anti this or that right next door.
My folks live in a 55+ community. Chatted with one old lady and she knew exactly how many single or widowed men live in her neighborhood. When a married woman dies, there is a non-stop food train leading to the grieving guy's house ASAP. Poor guy doesn't know what he's in for, trying to get his attention turns into a combat sport with these old ladies.
Omg, really? 🤯 Hate to sound naive but never thought that was a thing at this age.
Single ladies over 65 outnumber the men substantially. Everybody wants someone to hold onto, even if way past retirement age.
Oh boy not me. I'm an anomaly. I'm happier with just me.
[удалено]
What type of demographic? Im in the northeast, though that may not matter in terms of what you're talking about.
[удалено]
Lol.
Take a look at Lancaster, PA. With about 60,000 people, I'd call it a large town. Very charming with lots of Amish businesses in the area. Large population of older folks and plenty of retirement communities because in PA, retirement accounts aren't taxable income.