[2015] 55 and Over Lifestyle [communities]

[Sugarcubesea]

Hi, I know I'm bringing back an old thread, but I'm heading to AZ at the end of the month for a business trip and I decided to add a few days of vacation onto the trip. I thought I might look at a few homes in Sun City-Grand. Does anyone have any recommendations.

I'm still thinking I want to retire in FL , but since I really do love AZ, I figure it would not hurt to look around...

The big reason I wanted to bring this thread back is I was reading a few threads from Fern and I remembered how nice she was to me when I first joined tug.

 

[silentg]

Let me know how you like Arizona, we are going there next year on a TUG exchange. Never been!

 

[Talent312]

Let me know how you like Arizona, we are going there next year on a TUG exchange. Never been!

Returned from AZ on Monday... It's in an arid-zona.
The Scottsdale TPC would be a desert, but for watering.
Then again, some folks like it dry... and misting sprays.
Also, there's that hole in the ground... Grand Canyon.
Frank LLoyd Wright's Taliesin West was also worth a visit.
.

 

[John Cummings]

Returned from AZ on Monday... It's desert like.
The Scottsdale TPC would be a desert, but for watering.
Then again, some folks like it dry... and misting sprays.
Also, there's that hole in the ground... Grand Canyon.
Frank LLoyd Wright's Taliesin West was also worth a visit.
.

I lived in Phoenix AZ and Coral Springs ( Ft. Lauderdale metro ) for several years. I far prefer Arizona because of weather and it is more interesting. However if the beaches are important to you than Florida is hard to beat. Of course we far prefer California but Arizona would be our second choice.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Let me know how you like Arizona, we are going there next year on a TUG exchange. Never been!

My company bought a plant there last year, so I've been back there 3 times since June of 2018. I do love that area... I really love Scottsdale AZ but could never afford to retire there --- too expensive. I have been visiting Scottsdale for quite some time, we started going there in 2004 and every couple of years we would go back.

So far on my excursions, I've been to Sedona --- love that area --- Tucson - the home of University of Arizona, wasn't so crazy for this area.

My only negative for AZ is that I love the beach and water. Arizona is called the desert for a reason, but its oh so beautiful

 

[Brett]

My mother's Norther Virginia condo has slowly evolved into a retirement center. There is now a doctor and dentist on the ground floor, food delivery, community center with book clubs, exercise, activities, etc. Nearby are senior care agencies for in-home services (medical, transportation)

 

[WinniWoman]

We, too, are now starting to look for a retirement place. We really wanted it to be New Hampshire, but so far we cannot find a home we like that we can afford. I really want an adult only community and it seems there are few resales and the new ones are very expensive- at least for us they are.

Then some have outrageous HOA fees and property taxes can be high in NH depending on the town- almost as bad as here in NY- just a little better.

A lot of stand alone homes there in our price range are stuck in the 80's. I am not going into a home with an old kitchen and bathrooms, etc. when I have everything updated here in our home right now. Many do not have central ac or garages-or have disgusting dirty carpet throughout,-stuff like that- nothing I see on line grabs me- EXCEPT ones that are over our price range, of course.

I was cooking on our stove yesterday and thinking how I would have to be using some other crappy stove that is not as nice as mine. When our power went out a few weeks ago two days in a row I was so happy to have our generator kick right on. Am I going to get this in another home in our price range in NH? Apparently not. Upsetting.

Not that our home is so great- but it is better than what we have seen so far there.

Then there are the CCRC's which are also expensive and not a lot of good affordable choices. We do not want to live in an apartment- never have and never will- until we get to the assisted living age and have to.

I see that in Florida there are tons of affordable options but we are not Florida people, though I love the idea of having use of a pool year round and the ocean. But- no mountains- not for us. I know- North Carolina has mountains- but I don't know. I know a few people who moved there for retirement and then moved out- didn't like it.

I also have considered Nevada, Idaho, etc. But I am already overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to move just a couple of states away, never mind across the country. And I am not crazy about being so far away from people we know- even though we don't see them here in NY- we are within driving distance. And, of course, our son is in New Hampshire.

I really love Vermont but they tax SS and your estate and everything else, though it seems to me that housing and property taxes are a little more affordable than NH, but not by much.

Arizona is nice also, but one thing I was always leery of moving to a desert area because of the "water" issues. I just have a thing about lack of water-I know I am probably being silly. And we do like seasons- too much heat makes us lethargic. We would probably stay inside with the ac all the time. Then again- if we had use of a pool- I would be in there. But that would be it. One thing- there are a lot of sights to see in Arizona and also it is close to other western states where you can see and do some outdoor things- lots of national parks, etc.

Same with Florida- we don't do humidity well. Again- if I can be in water or ac- fine. But- that would be all I could do and hubby is not even a water person. So I know he would be in the ac with TV on everyday and that would not be good.

I now understand why most older people never move. It is too stressful. But we really have to. I have a lot of anxiety over this.

 

[Talent312]

Whenever any mentions retiring in Florida...
It reminds me of these Jimmy Buffett lyrics:

Now most of the people who retire in Florida
are wrinkled and they lean on a crutch.
And mobile homes are smotherin' my keys;
Well I hate those bastards so much.
I wish a summer squall would blow them
all the way up to fantasy land.
They're ugly and square, they don't belong here.
They look a lot better as beer cans.

-- From "Migration" in A1A (1974)... Just look at the photos...

 

[Pat H]

These are not retirement communities but Active Adult ones. We don't sit in rocking chairs all day. I live in Sun City Hilton Head. The area is growing like crazy. There is a lot to do even in the summer. I moved here not knowing anyone. I have more friends than ever. I had surgery earlier this week and I had so many people offering to help me. That wouldn't have happened up north. I hate the cold and dark winters. I love it here and hope I never have to move.

 

[WinniWoman]

These are not retirement communities but Active Adult ones. We don't sit in rocking chairs all day. I live in Sun City Hilton Head. The area is growing like crazy. There is a lot to do even in the summer. I moved here not knowing anyone. I have more friends than ever. I had surgery earlier this week and I had so many people offering to help me. That wouldn't have happened up north. I hate the cold and dark winters. I love it here and hope I never have to move.

That looks like a nice place- I went on line to check it out. They seem to have affordable homes there also- under $200,000- and they look halfway decent. How are the taxes and association fees?

What else is there to do there besides beach and golf? We don't do golf.

 

[Pat H]

That looks like a nice place- I went on line to check it out. They seem to have affordable homes there also- under $200,000- and they look halfway decent. How are the taxes and association fees?

What else is there to do there besides beach and golf? We don't do golf.

The HOA fees for a house are $200/mo. Villas are an additional $500/mo. I don't golf either. There are all kinds of physical activities - softball, tennis, pickelball, bocce, walking/running, kayaking, etc. There are games - bridge, mahjongg, euchre, pinochle, chess, poker, etc. Then there is community theater, music guilds, dancing, singing, etc. There are clubs for just about every interest.

Most houses are over $200,000. My villa would probably sell for $215,000. My last tax bill was approx $650. That includes both the resident and senior discounts. I live on the "south" side which is Beaufort County. The "north' side is in Jasper County and real estate taxes are about double.

 

[Panina]

These are not retirement communities but Active Adult ones. We don't sit in rocking chairs all day. I live in Sun City Hilton Head. The area is growing like crazy. There is a lot to do even in the summer. I moved here not knowing anyone. I have more friends than ever. I had surgery earlier this week and I had so many people offering to help me. That wouldn't have happened up north. I hate the cold and dark winters. I love it here and hope I never have to move.

Beautiful area for a great lifestyle. I have past it many times. Hope one day to live in a Sun City community. They really exceed all others.

 

[Panina]

That looks like a nice place- I went on line to check it out. They seem to have affordable homes there also- under $200,000- and they look halfway decent. How are the taxes and association fees?

What else is there to do there besides beach and golf? We don't do golf.

Somewhere you could probably afford. There are other Sun City Communities also near me. All the homes are nice. Whether you buy the least expensive home or most expensive home in a Sun City community and there is a big difference in price, everyone has access to the same amenities.

 

[WinniWoman]

The HOA fees for a house are $200/mo. Villas are an additional $500/mo. I don't golf either. There are all kinds of physical activities - softball, tennis, pickelball, bocce, walking/running, kayaking, etc. There are games - bridge, mahjongg, euchre, pinochle, chess, poker, etc. Then there is community theater, music guilds, dancing, singing, etc. There are clubs for just about every interest.

Most houses are over $200,000. My villa would probably sell for $215,000. My last tax bill was approx $650. That includes both the resident and senior discounts. I live on the "south" side which is Beaufort County. The "north' side is in Jasper County and real estate taxes are about double.

WOW! That is super affordable! Sounds very nice!

Maybe we should reconsider the south as a possible retirement home. But oh that heat...... and flatness... and lack of seasons (no fall) and much farther from our son. but- I suppose might not be any choice in the matter since we need to move to an affordable community. We could do worse for sure.

 

[Panina]

WOW! That is super affordable! Sounds very nice!

Maybe we should reconsider the south as a possible retirement home. But oh that heat...... and flatness... and lack of seasons (no fall) and much farther from our son. but- I suppose might not be any choice in the matter since we need to move to an affordable community. We could do worse for sure.

I am further of north of Hilton Head, on the South Carolina side but in the metro Charlotte area. Most times we do have seasons, it gets cold but warms up quickly, sometimes snow or ice but melts the next day. Not everything is flat. You can go a bit more west to the mountains and have more cold and snow.

 

[Snazzylass]

Isn't Sun City-Grand in Surprise? If you like Scottsdale, have you considered Sun Lakes? Much easier to enjoy Scottsdale from there.
I have a friend who lives in Sun City-Grand and he is on the golf cart patrol to make sure your garage door is closed. He loves it. Plays Pickle ball and organizing bus trips to the cheap music shows at the casinos. There's good hiking up there, but there' good hiking everywhere out here.
It's different if you are retired and can avoid the crowded roadways during commute times. For working slugs like me, here's what we say about Surprise - you'll be Surprised how long it takes you to get there!
On the other hand, I have several friends who live in Maricopa, Queen Creek, East Mesa and Sun Lakes who all regularly meet for lunch in Scottsdale and the city. They volunteer at the Desert Botanical Gardens and enjoy the theaters and museums and navigate the distance easily. So, it depends what you are looking for.

 

[DonnaD]

Fern,
It sounds like you found a great fit for you. Your name stands out to me because you helped me understand timesharing back in 1998 when I discovered Tug after buying our week from Club Regina.
After paying developer price, I searched the internet to learn about what we had committed to paying. You answered my questions and you were very helpful. Thank you!

I am sitting on my rooftop balcony in PV enjoying the view and the warm weather and the friends among the snowbird flock at Club Regina. My 9 weeks here helps me avoid winters in Ohio.

I am a widow 2.5 years now and I have widow-friends who come to stay with me for about half of my time here. I share my blessings with others. I just wanted to thank you for your welcoming voice when I joined TUG. I learned to squeeze every penny’s worth out of our investment.

 

[Pat H]

Fern,
It sounds like you found a great fit for you. Your name stands out to me because you helped me understand timesharing back in 1998 when I discovered Tug after buying our week from Club Regina.
After paying developer price, I searched the internet to learn about what we had committed to paying. You answered my questions and you were very helpful. Thank you!

I am sitting on my rooftop balcony in PV enjoying the view and the warm weather and the friends among the snowbird flock at Club Regina. My 9 weeks here helps me avoid winters in Ohio.

I am a widow 2.5 years now and I have widow-friends who come to stay with me for about half of my time here. I share my blessings with others. I just wanted to thank you for your welcoming voice when I joined TUG. I learned to squeeze every penny’s worth out of our investment.

Donna,
Fern died a few years ago.

 

[Panina]

Donna,
Fern died a few years ago.

Our great current memories of Fern are a tribute to her. I remember her from years ago when I was first introduced to TUG.

 

[silentg]

How did my thread turn into a retirement home discussion?
We are going to Sedona on vacation, not moving there.
Thanks for all the replies.
Looking forward to our visit.
Silentg

 

[Pat H]

How did my thread turn into a retirement home discussion?
We are going to Sedona on vacation, not moving there.
Thanks for all the replies.
Looking forward to our visit.
Silentg

Well, the title of the thread is 55 and over lifestyle communities so I guess you asked the question in the wrong place.

 

[Sugarcubesea]

Our great current memories of Fern are a tribute to her. I remember her from years ago when I was first introduced to TUG.

That's why I wanted to bring this post back vs starting a new thread.. I really liked Fern and she was very helpful and kind to me when I first joined Tug and had a bunch of questions... I hope her spirit can feel the love we all had for her...

 

[silentg]

Well, the title of the thread is 55 and over lifestyle communities so I guess you asked the question in the wrong place.

Yes, I saw that after I posted sorry

 

[TravelTime]

They should raise the age minimum on these communities. 55 is still prime time.

 

[VacationForever]

They should raise the age minimum on these communities. 55 is still prime time.

Hence it is called Active 55, not senior living community.