Epcon Communities?

[Midpack]

We're considering moving to one of these developments, and I wondered if anyone here lives/has lived in an Epcon community, or has first hand experience through family or friends?

Interested in your thoughts, good, bad or indifferent - PM if you prefer.

Epcon Communities | Where Life Comes Together

 

[eytonxav]

There is an Epcon community that we almost moved to when we were downsizing. It is known as the Villas of Stone Glen, and was very nicely done with well built homes and nice amenities, but we decided not to move there as we didn't want to wait to have a home built after we sold our McMansion. I believe they sold out within a few years time, so you may not be able to find their website online, but I think they have a Facebook page.

 

[Amethyst]

The website has all Gray-haired models; I gather this is a "retirement" community. Is it a CCRC?

 

[Midpack]

The website has all Gray-haired models; I gather this is a "retirement" community. Is it a CCRC?

Nope. Just a low maintenance planned community that loosely promotes as over 55. The one nearby is mostly young retirees, but you make a fair point, one day it'll probably be overrun with

 

[Sunset]

Nope. Just a low maintenance planned community that loosely promotes as over 55. The one nearby is mostly young retirees, but you make a fair point, one day it'll probably be overrun with

But by then won't you fit in and be one ??

 

[Amethyst]

don't bother me. I live with one, and am becoming one myself, although we don't shake our fingers in the air the way the emoji does (at least, not yet). Mr. A. would have a white beard if he didn't shave. I, thankfully, do not yet have a beard! Although I have heard that it can happen!

Do you see yourselves using the clubhouse and other communal facilities?

 

[ERD50]

Nope. Just a low maintenance planned community that loosely promotes as over 55. The one nearby is mostly young retirees, but you make a fair point, one day it'll probably be overrun with

We've seen it at the place my MIL & FIL moved into. It was pretty new, so attracted the age group that was just moving to a retirement community. Older people were mostly already settled, or had more needs and went to assisted living.

So 12 or so years later, that group has aged a lot (big difference between late 70's/early 80's and late 80's/early 90's for many).

-ERD50

 

[eytonxav]

You also need to be aware that the single gray haired models might hit on you

 

[Amethyst]

I asked about the clubhouse, etc. because in the FL condo community where we owned for a number of years (mostly rented out, but we stayed there enough to get a sense of the community) the pool was usually covered; the "fitness facility" was never used and had not been updated since 1985. The clubhouse was very attractive but was often empty. A few people watched the big TV, there were some card games (we don't play), potluck dinners where the talk was all of cruises, grandkids, ailments, and relatives up North; but in effect we were paying monthly dues for "social amenities" that were useless to us.

 

[Midpack]

don't bother me. I live with one, and am becoming one myself, although we don't shake our fingers in the air the way the emoji does (at least, not yet). Mr. A. would have a white beard if he didn't shave. I, thankfully, do not yet have a beard! Although I have heard that it can happen!

Do you see yourselves using the clubhouse and other communal facilities?

The clubhouse with fireplace, TV, pool table, seating areas, limited fitness equipment, kitchen facilities could be a welcome social outlet to me. I don't know if residents use it that way or not, as I don't live there. Was kinda hoping someone who did might tell me.

Now the pool, I can't see using, but to each his/her own.

But your first post gave me pause...

 

[Amethyst]

What, about the gray-haired models? Nothing against gray hair; I have it myself, although it's colored for now.

It's just that the only acceptable way advertisers seem to have, to indicate aging, is to show people with gray hair (who in all other ways look relatively young). So it's kind of like a "code word" for the walk-in bathtub crowd.

But your first post gave me pause...

 

[socca]

I asked about the clubhouse, etc. because in the FL condo community where we owned for a number of years (mostly rented out, but we stayed there enough to get a sense of the community) the pool was usually covered; the "fitness facility" was never used and had not been updated since 1985. The clubhouse was very attractive but was often empty. A few people watched the big TV, there were some card games (we don't play), potluck dinners where the talk was all of cruises, grandkids, ailments, and relatives up North; but in effect we were paying monthly dues for "social amenities" that were useless to us.

This is all the rage among Florida developers now (and probably has been for quite some time). Developers can't just sell houses in subdivisions, they also need to sell the sex appeal of shared 'amenities' like community pools, exercise centers, clubhouses, tennis courts, and pickle ball courts. I hate this. Why? These amenities cost residents money (sometimes mucho money), are often underutilized, and need to be managed by an HOA. My search for a home a couple of years ago was complicated by a shortage of available houses free of this type of undesirable overhead. I'm so lucky that I found the house I did after 6 months of hard searching: minimalist HOA, no 'amenities'.

 

[Midpack]

This is all the rage among Florida developers now (and probably has been for quite some time). Developers can't just sell houses in subdivisions, they also need to sell the sex appeal of shared 'amenities' like community pools, exercise centers, clubhouses, tennis courts, and pickle ball courts. I hate this. Why? These amenities cost residents money (sometimes mucho money), are often underutilized, and need to be managed by an HOA. My search for a home a couple of years ago was complicated by a shortage of available houses free of this type of undesirable overhead. I'm so lucky that I found the house I did after 6 months of hard searching: minimalist HOA, no 'amenities'.

Something to think about. Some forced socialization might be good for us, but being saddled with an HOA with amenities no one is using would be a waste of money. Thanks.

 

[Amethyst]

Well...55+ developers pretty much have to start with an out-of-the-way land parcel, since anything close-in to a population center will be too expensive. This means they need to offer centralized amenities, because without them, residents would have to drive miles to do anything. Socca, I congratulate you on finding a place (was it new?) that fits your needs yet doesn't require spending extra on centralization.

This is all the rage among Florida developers now (and probably has been for quite some time). Developers can't just sell houses in subdivisions, they also need to sell the sex appeal of shared 'amenities' like community pools, exercise centers, clubhouses, tennis courts, and pickle ball courts. I hate this. Why? These amenities cost residents money (sometimes mucho money), are often underutilized, and need to be managed by an HOA. My search for a home a couple of years ago was complicated by a shortage of available houses free of this type of undesirable overhead. I'm so lucky that I found the house I did after 6 months of hard searching: minimalist HOA, no 'amenities'.

 

[socca]

Socca, I congratulate you on finding a place (was it new?) that fits your needs yet doesn't require spending extra on centralization.

My subdivision is 38 years old. There are a few subdivisions scattered around (usually even older) that are deed unrestricted. I looked at a couple of those, but they were a bit run down (cars parked on the lawn, etc.) Sarasota county.