We moved to a community in another state that is not a 55+ but is like a 55+because most who own here are over 50. Some are second home owners. Some are also snowbirds or weekenders. Lots of golf carts, boats and motorcycles. (We don't have any of them). Most are in their 50's I would say, but some in their 60's like us, 70's and some in their 80's. A nice mixture. Plus their married children come to visit and their grandchildren. So a little of everything. My next door neighbors are 32 years old! Many people here still are working. Most are married but many singles as well, including widows and widowers. One thing- there are an awful lot of dog owners here!
Most active. Heck- we have an 85 year old guy here that goes to the gym 3 hours per day. he also bikes everywhere!. But I would say most are 50's and 60's and active. A lot of golfers as there are golf courses nearby. I heard one guy say he races cars.
Our 2600 square foot former home was newly remodeled from top to bottom. Our goal was whatever we got for it when we sold it that is all we could spend on a new home INCLUDING all the moving costs, atty fees, closing costs, and things we would have to do to the new house once we moved into it. And the extra expense of the temporary rental we were in after our home sold until my husband could retire and our new home was finished being built.Not an easy feat but we pulled it off. And just 4 miles from a town that I wanted to live in but that did not have this kind of community vibe we were looking for and for an affordable price.
I say it was no easy feat because in the area we lived in the homes did not appreciate like they have in other parts of the state and country. We did get back the remodeling costs ($100,000) but not any appreciation above what we paid for the house 32 years ago ($208,000). We sold it last year for $317,000.
The new, one level, 1100 square foot ranch house we purchased cost $274,400 with the extras we put in through the builder. (Base price was $249,000). Once moved in we put more money into it like a whole house generator, a security system, and lots of other things that added up quickly- and we are generally frugal.
I think we have about $2000 left over and we need to have the little driveway sealed next year and some more odds and ends done. But we will not go over this amount, except if something needs repairs obviously. Hopefully nothing as it is a brand new house.
The HOA fees here are just $150 per month. 85 homes so a nice, intimate vibe. Clubhouse, pool, law mowing, private road snow plowing, and trash pick up. The HOA is flexible so strict about lawn decor and so forth.
Can walk to the beach, boardwalk and boating nearby if that is your thing. Restaurants, shopping, medical services. It is a vacation area. 4 season - has lots of winter activities- again if you are into that.
Our only son also lives 45 minutes from here and works 10 minutes from here. Tax situation is good overall.
Our former home was nice- but secluded on 10 1/2 acres in the woods. Great to come home to when we worked but not good for aging in. Too lonely. Especially whenever the time would come that you cannot drive, though that is still far away for us as we are in our 60's. High property taxes as well.
Yes there are some things we do not like about the new place. The homes are right on top of each other. Very tiny lot- and I mean tiny! In summer the area around us gets noisy because there are camps surrounding our development. The house is small- a newly constructed ranch- 1100 square feet- no views except of neighbors walls- though some seasonal views to the back of us of the bay and mountains- and trees. Hubby and I on top of each other. Good thing he goes down into the basement to his workbench. LOL! He does not have much to do with the new house and that is a plus but also a negative in terms of keeping him busy.
But the positives outweigh the negatives. We have made friends- one has a boat and has been kind enough to take us out several times on the lake. Even during this hard year we have had some nice get togethers with the neighbors. Went on group walks. We never had this. We had no neighbors nor did we have friends that lived nearby in our former home state.
I find it nice that even taking a walk I can wave to someone or someone might stop and chat with me when I am sitting on the front porch. If my husband needs advice or help with something he is doing at the house another man will come over and help out. Even little things like we needed to borrow a bigger ladder- we can ask around- and we have a community Facebook page and HOA website that we can communicate with other people here through.
And it is nice to see neighbors helping the older neighbors out that might need it. Maybe a meal here or their, just checking up on them, shoveling their driveways, etc. It's all good.
If it wasn't for the virus stuff there would be some activities going on in the development- just a few- usually organized by the residents themselves, like a Halloween or Xmas party, card games, etc. But some of us have managed to do things together safely.
Having a small, low maintenance home is great but people need to really downsize- accept the fact that they have way too much stuff- and purge. My motto is keep it simple!
I feel moving only gets harder as you get older. So moving now in our 60's got us transplanted and settled. Better than doing it in your 80's!
