Having taken care of elderly relatives in "regular neighborhoods..." one of the big downsides is that retired neighbors are a FREAKING nosy nightmare.... Looking for any minor infraction and making it their cause celeb and their business... When my mother died the greatest feeling was knowing I could say "F.... OFF" to the previous nightmare neighbors....
A big issue with floorplans is that these communities are not designed for aging in place. Sure - it may be a one floor design - but simple things like wheelchair accessibility is completely ignored. Things like 3 foot interior doors, kitchen design, bathroom design are not age friendly. For example, the toilet in the main bedroom needs to have a 3 foot clearance on one side or the other with a grab bar to enable people in wheelchairs to use them. Higher outlets and lower light switches are simple things that we don't ever see - but would not cost the builder anything extra. That's why they are all marketed as "active adult communities". If you are a married couple - how long can you live there until one or both of you have mobility or other issues? Also, a lot of the fees go to maintain things like pools, tennis courts, etc. So you are going to end up paying for facilities that you may not even use. Some of these places even have to maintain the roads. As the community ages - in addition to increasing fees - do the words "special assessment" mean anything to you? This is not to mean that most people would be very happy in such a place - but you have to realize that your "shelf life" there may be shorter than you were hoping because of the age in place shortcomings.
Aging in place updates don’t (necessarily) need to be to hospital specs. My dad stayed in his 1960s tiny door, small room rancher til he was 99 and blind. He died in his own bed. He never updated his tiny low toilet or step-over tub/shower. If you can get on one floor or install a chair lift….most everything else is doable with creativity and safety in mind.
Having taken care of elderly relatives in "regular neighborhoods..." one of the big downsides is that retired neighbors are a FREAKING nosy nightmare.... Looking for any minor infraction and making it their cause celeb and their business... When my mother died the greatest feeling was knowing I could say "F.... OFF" to the previous nightmare neighbors....
A big issue with floorplans is that these communities are not designed for aging in place. Sure - it may be a one floor design - but simple things like wheelchair accessibility is completely ignored. Things like 3 foot interior doors, kitchen design, bathroom design are not age friendly. For example, the toilet in the main bedroom needs to have a 3 foot clearance on one side or the other with a grab bar to enable people in wheelchairs to use them. Higher outlets and lower light switches are simple things that we don't ever see - but would not cost the builder anything extra. That's why they are all marketed as "active adult communities". If you are a married couple - how long can you live there until one or both of you have mobility or other issues? Also, a lot of the fees go to maintain things like pools, tennis courts, etc. So you are going to end up paying for facilities that you may not even use. Some of these places even have to maintain the roads. As the community ages - in addition to increasing fees - do the words "special assessment" mean anything to you?
This is not to mean that most people would be very happy in such a place - but you have to realize that your "shelf life" there may be shorter than you were hoping because of the age in place shortcomings.
Aging in place updates don’t (necessarily) need to be to hospital specs. My dad stayed in his 1960s tiny door, small room rancher til he was 99 and blind. He died in his own bed. He never updated his tiny low toilet or step-over tub/shower. If you can get on one floor or install a chair lift….most everything else is doable with creativity and safety in mind.
Do you ever talk about the positives of 55+ communities? Do your research and you can find an excellent one. I did and am very happy here.
Sure have! This video just happens to be on the downsides
I live in a 55+ community and it is fantastic. one of my wisest decisions ever. Been here 7 years and hope I never have to leave
Pay a regular high fee to other people so they can tell you what you can and can't do... that's rich!
I've already decided NOT to move to a 55+ community. Too many horror stories.
The old farts are leaving…finally!