Would I Ever Live in a 55+ Community AGAIN? Here's What Over TWO YEARs Taught Me | Over 50 Over 60

Great information! I just sold my house and purchased a tiny home in a tiny home community. I wanted to travel more in my campervan and just couldn't do that and maintain the bigger house and yard. Now I can lock my tiny house door and hit the road because the community takes care of the lawn. When I'm home I have way less to clean and maintain which gives me more free time to do things I actually enjoy. I'm 63 and really enjoying this new chapter of life!

I like being alone and do not want people knowing my business. These communities are definitely not for me. Know thyself.

Oh gosh I hated high school and high school behavior so The Villages would NOT be for me! I’m an Aquarius, always danced to the beat of my own drum! 😊

I want to live in a rural hallmark movie town with a town square and a band playing in the park and those lovely small shops and a stream running thru it😂. Some may say, I'm a dreamer. Haha

Most people are not retired at 55

Your hair looks beautiful ❤️

My husband and I have had these conversations and feel like you do. We really love living in a community with younger people. We like seeing the kids and all the generations. We will probably downsize at some point and move closer to our daughter but not in a retirement community. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

I live in TWO 55+ communities! One in FL in the winter and one in AZ in the summer. They are so different but I love them both. I'm 71

We moved into a senior community in our 50s and were treated with contempt due to our youthful appearance and the fact we still worked. Most neighbors were in their 80s. We love our home and view so we are not moving. But every friend we've made who is our age has moved away after years of the petty neighbors and gossips who only ask qualifying questions to determine if you fit into their clique. We have been here 15 YEARS and only two people have ever invited us over. So we now have friends outside the gate only. Then there's the annual death count. Depressing.

I live in an over 55 community and I plan to move. I agree with all of your cons. It is a bit like high school here. There are social clicks and it is somewhat curated and there are rules. You give some great advice about choosing.

I will never live in an HOA again. That extra layer of government and fees takes a lot of time and attention to manage. You pay monthly dues plus special assessments, often in addition to property taxes. You must be engaged, go to meetings, read the minutes, budgets, and reserves, vote for your Board members, otherwise, you can be taken advantage of financially. I found it takes too much time and work. I'd rather have control over my own personal home maintenance budget and hire my own helpers.

Very good video Kimberly. I would absolutely hate that type of lifestyle at The Villages, but that's just me. Give me my woodsy home that is all my own and very simple, and I'm happy.

I have been retired for 2 years and I know myself well enough that I could never be in the Villages or any 55 and over community. Our house is paid for and hopefully, we will be here until we can’t.

I live in Michigan and plan on moving to the Villages in one year. I have been there two years during winter and plan on going this year. I’m looking for the lifestyle it provides. I find it easy to met people, the clubs and there is a pool around every corner. Love your necklace!

Love your necklace!

For anyone who wants that kind of living, that's their choice, rightfully so. For me, I couldn't be given a house in a 55+ community. I don't like a bunch of rules that someone else has made for me. I don't like being told I can't do this or I can't do that. I like living in the country. I like enjoying nature and what it has to offer. Can anyone say that places like that is not conditioning for the future 15-minute cities that want to be implemented?

Well articulated. We rented within a 55+ gated community in South Florida for a year - and you hit every “pro + con” we experienced right on the head. 👍👍 -V

Like you, I’m very independent. I don’t have the wanderlust that you seem to have (no judgement — just my impression and I’ve been following you since you moved to SC. I’m older than you are (75 yrs. old) and widowed, and I absolutely LOVE my 55+ community in Texas. It’s much smaller than the Villages; I immediately got involved in the community, including serving on the Board. And yes, everyone around me IS in my same stage of life, and I value that. There’s deep understanding and tolerance of the vagaries of senior living — the aches and pains, the insomnia, the hearing/sight loss, forgetfulness, etc. I do have family nearby (daughter and granddaughters), but they’re not in my back pocket nor vice-versa. Given the rampant ageism in our current society, I’m happy to be in a community that “gets me”. I know you are passionate about clean living, and no judgement there either, but I would not eschew all or every 55+ community based on your experience at the Villages!

I lived in a 55 and over community for a couple of years and it wasn't for me. I, too, am very independent and I think if I knew it was for a shorter-term stay, I might have felt differently (probably not) but the nosy neighbors were too much for me. I live a pretty boring life and was amazed at how much they watched when I was home or left to do something. I work from home too and have for decades. I am very happy in my residential neighborhood where there are a variety of families, ages, and different styles of homes. I respect everyone's decisions and for some it is great. For me, I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

Kimberly; is there a place that you have lived at that tugs at your heart?