Re: Retirement Communities...
Before deciding on location, important to learn about the kinds of communities.
There are vast differences between an interim community, which could be and active over 55 community that is young and vibrant, and one that is more or less a final move kind of retirement. Large communities like "The Villages" cater to many different lifestyles... active or not. Other smaller communities.. may be mostly active, or in some cases mostly older. The second part of this is the question of moving to a CCRC that offers both activities and then, as one ages, the "care" part of CCRC could become important. We now live in a CCRC that offers both regular homes, and then apartment, assisted living, and nursing home and Alzheimers' facilities. To get an idea of what this kind of community offers you might search "simply the finest". There are increasing numbers of this all included lifestyle operation.
Retiring in the 50/60 year age groups can mean a move later on, in the coming 30 years, when priorities change. We did both... retiring in a Florida over 55 park, where beach trips, boating, cruises and partying, were the way of life, then 15 years later, moving to a CCRC when we needed fewer activities and realized that the lifestyle we wanted was more relaxed, and where any future moves could let us go from our regular home, to apartment living with meals, travel, utilities, and activities all included in one low monthly fee, and knowing that should future care become necessary, alternative parts of the CCRC would be available.
Point being... many different options available, and suggesting that no decision be made on the basis of visiting a small number of communities, but that much time should be spent in visiting and talking to residents, especially avoiding guided tours.
The reason I mention this, is because although we made a quick, lucky choice of a community in Central Florida, and were very happy there... we later had a large influx of new residents who had made choices nearby, only to find that they had made a mistake.
If you are looking for an active lifestyle, don't base your decision just on finding a nice home, because with more time to enjoy life, (not working)... people become more important than the kind of house you live in.
