Avoid Living In A 55 Plus Community - Problems In Adult Retirement Communities - Don’t Buy 55+

Many people dream about retiring and moving to a 55 plus community with nice amenities, manicured lawns (mowed by someone else) and making new best friends. But what is the reality of living in a 55+ community. Watch Azul's latest video to learn more.

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The decisions on how to invest, when to retire and other financial planning topics are some of the most important financial decisions you will make in your life. I urge you to seek professional financial advice as you make this decision. Ideally from a financial adviser, AND a CPA AND an attorney. Having the perspective of all three professions will help you make the decision that is right for you and your family.

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[trudymeans]

After my husband died of Covid in 2022 I sold our "forever home" and downsized to a 55+ community in nearby Central Florida. Within 4 months my monthly fee had been raised 8% and they issued a new rule that made everyone take down their fences. The ability to have a fence was THE reason that I had chosen this particular place. I sold it (at a loss) and happily moved to my own home in a small town in Kansas. The community was very nice and the people were wonderful. But you are not in control of what ultimately goes on.

[susanmann]

I live in Senior Housing. It is depressing to see the number of people who die, go to nursing homes, or fall. If I had the means, I would definitely leave.

[Puzzledrev]

I'm 85. After years of being my husband's caretaker as Alzheimers ravaged him, I have no wish to be in any relationship, nor in an HOA or manufactured community. I love the kids with their enthusiasm, and interactions with their parents.

[tatianastarcic]

Most people don’t realise it, but the secret to retiring comfortably is finding a way to make returns while your money works for you. My dad, as I remember, started saving for retirement quite late, but I know he was making more than 10k returns from his investment monthly and it was completely passive.

[Mia-vphd]

OMG I call it the mean girls now old! Good grief when I first moved in they all were trying to recruit me to hate the people they hated, it became very stressful!! The next place I moved next door to a taker, he asked me to take him places, my car is leased, so have to watch my miles, when I finally told him this ‘nice person’ is drawing boundaries, you need to call a Uber, I can not drive you anymore! He is now not speaking to me, which is kind a blessing! I do not like 62 plus apartments! I want to open my door to the great out doors and not into a hallway and right into someone else’s drama!

[biondatiziana]

Good points. The idea of living in a self-imposed age-segregated community and watching my aging neighbors die off one by one is completely unappealing to me. The endless micromanaging and petty rules would be the final nails in the coffin.

[kitbram]

Your concerns are not limited to 55 plus communities but to all HOA’s. Most older women who have lost their husbands aren’t interested in being a nurse with a purse for an older man😅

[helenmorley]

We have lived in a retirement community for 6 years now. We are aged 71 and 82 and we love it. Most people are the same age range as us. Just live where ever makes you happy 😊

[lauraj]

I recently read that the number one problem with seniors is loneliness. I was incredibly lonely in my last house which was in a typical neighborhood. Everyone was busy working and raising kids. When I moved to a 55+ community I was blown away by how friendly everyone was and have made many new friends who are in the same stage of life. You’ve made some good points about the downfalls of 55+ but I don’t know if I could go back to a typical development……too lonely.

[bluesideup]

If I was ever looking for a new home and someone brought out the HOA handbook, I would immediately say, "you don't want me in your neighborhood, and I certainly don't want YOU!" HOA's sound like tyranny : taxation without representation. You may think you "own" the property, but THEY own you. At 67 I'm happy to live in my small 100 year old home in a mid-sized city.

[Pisti]

As a senior myself I would never want to live around only other old people. Seeing kids playing ball or riding bikes, moms pushing strollers, old men chatting on the corner, it is the mixture that is nice. Plus the continuous smell of impending death is creepy.

[pete]

I would NEVER live anywhere that has an HOA. Too many people get "power mad" in those things making rules just because they can.

[conniesteck]

Thank you, confirms my thoughts about hanging out with old people, don’t do it, especially in a HOA. Too many with too much time on their hands wanting to be up in everyone else’s business……..this from a single, 76 yo female who just bought her last Rv to continue traveling

[lovebug]

This REALLY helped me make my decision as I was in the process of selling my home to purchase in a senior community! As I did the numbers, I just couldn't justify me paying $2, 760.00 per year in HOA fees (I'm 55 years old). 10 years of HOA fees at 230.00 per month would be $27, 600, 20 years $55, 200 and 30 years $82, 800 and that's if the HOA fees don't increase but we all know they will. PLEASE do the numbers before making any decisions. I'm going to stay where I am!
Thank you SO much for your informative video!

[kaitlyncranwick]

Back in the day, when I purchased my first home to live-in; that was Miami in the early 1990s, first mortgages with rates of 8 to 9% and 9% to 10% were typical. People will have to accept the possibility that we won't ever return to 3%. If sellers must sell, home prices will have to decline, and lower evaluations will follow. Pretty sure I'm not alone in my chain of thoughts.

[leitmotifme]

My mother lived in an upscale 55+ community. Seven floors of large apartments ; (hers was 1800 sq ft), cinema, /theater, gymnasium, golf, pool, large library, many clubs, societies and activities. dining room with multiple excellent selections on the menu. All amenities included in the rental.
In the lobby there was the memorial table, where residents were commemorated with a rose and a brief bio, which was a daily stop for people to check the latest deaths. A long and windy way of saying that no matter how luxurious the surroundings, the grim reaper's presence is very visible. Ambulances were there daily. Residents also graduated to on site assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. The toll of aging is in your face 24/7 at a 55+ community. It was not an environment I want for myself.

[lathminster]

My parents moved into one of these 55+ communities and 100% what you said on all points. They moved out in less than a year, and are much happier living in a regular neighborhood.

[danbgt]

I am 72 and have been retired for 8 years. My wife and I live in a large one story home that is paid for and only 16 years old. We spent a couple of years looking into moving to an age restricted neighborhood and finally decided that it is just not for us. We would not use all the forced amenities of one thing. And the cost per square foot to buy one of the patio homes is ridiculous. If we sold our 3, 500 square foot home and bought a patio home half that size, we would still owe money! We decided that we like our home, we like the space and we like our neighborhood. We can fund the upkeep cheaper than buying and moving. We will just stay here until we can no longer manage on our own. We have children and grandchildren close by.

[gerriebell]

I think the part about “knowing people who die” as you get older is true for everyone, no matter where you live. I like that this guy is saying “be careful”, not “don’t do it”.

[lesleyheller]

Yuck! I'm happily aging in place in my comfortable Manhattan apartment with neighbors of all ages, and wonderful 24 hour doormen and women. I can walk to all my doctors and dentist, museums, parks, concerts, restaurants, and theater. Public transit is also convenient for longer distances. It's wonderful to see children!