My husband and I sold our Connecticut home in the fall of 2020. At the time, our plan was to rent a cottage in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, while searching for a charming country home.<\/p>\n
Alas, we moved during the height of the pandemic, when finding a decent rental was nearly impossible. So, when our Realtor heard about a spacious unit in a community for people aged 55 and over, we decided to rent it, albeit with minimal enthusiasm.<\/p>\n
With time \u2014 and much to our surprise \u2014 we began to warm to our new surroundings. Our neighbors were welcoming, the layout of the unit was ideal, and we liked not having to stress about maintaining our property when we traveled.<\/p>\n
Also see:<\/strong> Loneliness is \u2018one of the most serious, misunderstood problems facing America today\u2019<\/p>\n We didn\u2019t love everything (more about that in a bit) but on balance, the benefits of a 55+ community outweighed the drawbacks. Ultimately, when a unit in a prime location became available for purchase, we decided to make our temporary residence permanent.<\/p>\n Life in a 55+ community is not for everyone, and it is important to understand that these communities vary widely, and your experience may be very different from ours. But if you are intrigued by the idea, here are what we have found to be five joys and challenges of life in communities for older adults:<\/p>\n Joy No. 1: Community<\/strong> \u2014 At a time when isolation is a growing problem for many retirees, it\u2019s wonderful to live in a place with a strong community feel. Just had surgery? Your neighbors will bring food for dinner. Traveling? There\u2019s always someone willing to water your plants or check on your place during your absence. It\u2019s delightful to have so many caring people living close-by.<\/p>\n Challenge No. 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Community\u2014<\/strong>\u00a0The flipside of having a close-knit neighborhood is that it can sometimes feel as if you live in a fishbowl. Or as my friends sometimes say, \u201cAre we still in\u00a0middle school?\u201d If you\u2019re someone who strongly values your privacy, a 55+ community is likely not going to be your best bet.<\/p>\n Joy No. 2: Age-friendly living \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Thankfully, my husband and I are still healthy and active. But when we inevitably slow down, it\u2019s comforting to know that we will be settled in a house designed to meet our evolving needs. Like the homes in many 55+ communities, ours has a main bedroom, bathroom and washer-dryer on the first floor. At 2,400 square feet, it\u2019s big enough to comfortably accommodate large gatherings, but small enough to be manageable for years to come.<\/p>\n Challenge No. 2: Age-friendly living \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0By definition, 55+ communities cater to older people (communities have different regulations regarding age-related restrictions). The repetitive \u201corgan recitals\u201d \u2014 slang for the litanies of\u00a0health problems\u00a0that can dominate some conversations \u2014 can get monotonous. We still miss the diverse perspectives, conversations and energy of life in a more multigenerational neighborhood.<\/p>\n Don\u2019t miss: <\/strong>Forgot why you walked into the room? Here\u2019s why that happens and when you should worry.<\/p>\n Joy No. 3: HOA living \u2014<\/strong>Our HOA (homeowners association) board members work tirelessly to ensure that the grounds and amenities are meticulously maintained. If an obnoxious neighbor throws a loud party or decides to fly a large political flag off their patio, they will intervene on your behalf.<\/p>\n Challenge No. 3: HOA living\u00a0\u2014 <\/strong>Before buying into a 55+ community, be sure to read over the community rules. Like it or not, HOA\u2019s restrict things like what color you can paint your door, when grandchildren can use the pool and how many pets you can own. If you\u2019re someone who prefers to customize your home, or who chafes against restrictions, living under a HOA could prove problematic.<\/p>\n Joy No. 4:<\/strong>\u00a0Plentiful amenities<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 Our complex includes a pool, tennis\/pickleball courts and a fitness center, as well as weekly activities, clubs and special events. Having all these built-in amenities makes for a robust and budget-friendly social life. We especially enjoy meeting friends for dinner, without having to worry about driving home.<\/p>\n Challenge No. 4: Plentiful amenities<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 With so many things to do within your complex, it\u2019s easy to grow complacent about life outside the bubble. We have found that it helps to balance our leisure activities, with volunteering, classes, work and other activities outside the community.<\/p>\n Joy No. 5: Lock it and leave it<\/strong>\u00a0\u2014 The low-maintenance style of 55+ communities, makes it ideal for frequent travelers. We love not having to worry about our property when we travel, especially for an extended period of time.<\/p>\n Challenge No. 5: Lock it and leave it \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Many of our neighbors\u00a0head south\u00a0when the weather turns cold. While there is still plenty to do, the community doesn\u2019t feel quite as vibrant in the winter as it does in the summer.<\/p>\n Read<\/strong>: 4 challenges of LGBTQ+ retirement planning, and what to do about them<\/p>\n Should you decide to move to a 55+ community, here are three tips to help ease the transition:<\/p>\nPluses outweigh minuses<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Tips for making the transition<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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