PatternReview.com online sewing community
Online Sewing Class: Sewing Basics
Register Today!
Join our community of 579,279 sewists!
SIGNUP Membership is free and includes 1 free lesson
Login |
Join our community of 579,279 sewists!
Signup | Login
To participate in the PatternReview.com forums please Login or Join PatternReview
12 
Member since 5/30/13
Posts: 1102
Body Type:
Send Message
1 Replies
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 6/21/14 4:32 AM ET
My husband (well fiancé, we'll get around to that wedding thing soon) is nearing retirement and we are thinking of moving to the Phoenix area. For typical reasons, escaping the mid-western winters, closer to family, moving to a home that will better suit us as we age, etc. We've started to do some preliminary internet checking out of real estate, it seems like every house we come across that seems to suit our wants and needs is in a "active adult" or "50 plus" community.

I lived in Phoenix in my late teens and early 20's, and was frequently annoyed by the Sun City crowd, I worked in retail, and swore I'd never ever be one of those "professional retirees". I'm sure much of this had to do with my youth and an excess of attitude. Sure things change, but I'm still having a hard time seeing myself living in a retirement community.

Some of the amenities do sound nice, golf course for hubby, great access to college classes for me, onsite fitness center (presumably where I won't be comparing myself to 20 somethings), etc. But we'll be on the young side, and I plan on continuing to work some (writing and embroidery design) and so does my husband (probably giving music lessons ((at a music store, most likely)), or anything he can find to keep busy), so I wonder if we'll be completely out of step.

I know things have changed and our interests aren't really that different than most folks our age and older, but I wonder if there is a culture in those communities that a couple slightly rough mid-westerners might not work in.

Anyone here live in a big planned "active adult" community? Pros, Cons? Things to look out for? Experiences? Make me feel better about being so old?

Sorry about the novel.
  
Member since 8/28/08
Posts: 6568
Send Message
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 6/21/14 4:42 AM ET
As with any neighborhood there are going to be people of many ages, but in this case be 50 and older, way older.

There are some communities that have so many activities going that you couldn't possibly have the time to even check all of them out.

Is it possible for you to rent in one of them? All the amenities will be available to you without the commitment of ownership, until you are ready.
------
Oops, forgot what I was going to put here.
  
Member since 7/31/10
Posts: 688
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 1 like
Re: Active Adult Communities-Anyone live in one? (posted on 6/21/14 8:29 AM ET)
Didn't buy into one, but snow birded in one last winter. Came to the conclusion that we're not "old" enough yet despite being in our mid-sixties.
GI Butterfly's advice to rent before buying is a great idea.
  
Member since 2/9/04
Posts: 18027
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 2 likes
Posted on: 6/21/14 8:45 AM ET
In reply to Addierecoy
Phoenix area is nice, but hot and dry. Health care is very good because of the older population, so lots of doctors that are knowledgeable about age-related health issues. If you can stand the heat and the A/C bills in summer, you would like it. However ... that whole area does not have its own sustainable water water supply. If you are looking at living there for ten or twenty years, and the folks upstream of the Colorado River decide to hang on to their water, there will be serious challenges. I've read too many articles and seen too many TV reports about this, and while sounding like a Debbie Downer, water supply is a serious consideration when looking at the area.
------
iPad's auto-correct is my enema.
  
Member since 11/16/05
Posts: 1570
Send Message
1 Replies
thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 6/21/14 3:28 PM ET
My in-laws lived in Sun Lakes in the mid- to late 1990s. They did not like it much. The "over 50" requirement made for a very artificial environment, and they started to miss the dynamics of a younger crowd very quickly, young families with children and working professionals. The retirees, as active as some of them were, loved to talk about their health as major topic, which got old quickly.

The endless, hot, dry summer was very difficult to bear. Neither one was used to having to spend so much time indoors because of the heat. My MIL missed gardening and never got used to the xeriscape.

But this was the worst part: My FIL died within 18 months of moving there, and my MIL became ostracized. Nobody liked to be confronted with severe illnesses or even death, and once my MIL was a grieving widow, she was no longer a welcome presence among all the "active" retirees. She grew very lonesome and moved back to her childhood home town in Michigan.

Claudia
-- Edited on Today at 7:51 PM --
  
Member since 2/19/04
Posts: 10120
Send Message
1 Replies
thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 6/21/14 7:47 PM ET
In reply to purplebouquet
Quote:
But this was the worst part: My FIL died within 18 months of moving there, and my MIL became ostracized. Nobody liked to be confronted with severe illnesses or even death, and once my MIL was a grieving widow, she was no longer a welcome presence among all the "active" retirees.


That is the saddest thing I have ever heard.

I think those communities differ in atmosphere based on how large they are. A smaller community would be more closer knit, but you can bet all your neighbors will know your business. They aren't for everybody.
  
Member since 5/11/08
Posts: 8213
Body Type:
Send Message
thumbsup 1 like
Posted on: 6/22/14 6:05 PM ET
We have just moved into a community for 55+ in Tucson. I am enjoying it, but it is really quiet now as most people are gone for the summer. Tucson has a strong art scene, and is a smaller city than Phoenix. PM me if you want more info.
  
Member since 11/13/04
Posts: 15931
Send Message
thumbsup 5 likes
Posted on: 6/23/14 12:12 PM ET
In reply to frame
A friend became ostracized too,after her DH died.It seems to be normal no matter where one lives.

My neighbor said she lost all of their married couple friends,after her DH died,he was only 54 years old.Single women are a threat to some women.They are very jealous and think a widow,or divorced woman is out to snatch other women's husbands.I think those jealous people must have a very unstable or unhappy marriage to drop single women they considered their friends before.They don't seem to trust their own husbands.
  
Member since 8/2/03
Posts: 7158
Send Message
Posted on: 6/26/14 9:39 AM ET
Not Arizona but we visit my DMIL in Florida a lot. They have a great system for much older people (she's 83) but even though I could be retired if I had worked for the Feds it always feels really old there. I can never get over how many early bird dinner places there are and watch out for the drivers.

She lives in a beautiful complex with heated pool, beauty parlor, game rooms, cooked to order dining room, pub and more things I can think of. But everything is totally quiet at 8PM!

I figure DH and I might go to a place like she lives in the future be we will need to be in our 80's.
------
So many projects, not enough time
At my house in VA:
Bernina Activa 220, Kaffe 475, B790
Singer 201-2, 221, BL Enlighten, BL Acclaim, BL Sashiko, BL Euphoria, Consew 75T, Tipton Boss


At my Lake House in PA:
"new" Bernina B570, Bernina 1010, Singer 503A, BL Evolution

http://sewingtechie.blogspot.com/
  
Member since 5/30/13
Posts: 1102
Body Type:
Send Message
Posted on: 6/27/14 6:18 AM ET
Sorry so slow to reply. I'm not retired yet. LOL

I wondered about the widowhood thing, I lost my first husband a few years ago, and that kind of thing happens to a degree everywhere (trust me), but I can see it being worse in a retirement community.

The focus on health issues could get old fast too.

We've thought about Tucson too, both of our families have migrated to the Phoenix are over the years, so that might be close, but not too close. My in-laws had a ranch in Florence, and ended up heading in the Tucson direction more and more the longer they lived there.

I'm heading out to see some family soon and have plans to look around at some options. This gives me a few things to look out for.
  
12 
* Advertising and soliciting is strictly prohibited on PatternReview.com. If you find a post which is not in agreement with our Terms and Conditions, please click on the Report Post button to report it.
Selected Reviews, Classes & Patterns
Discovery Fabrics
High Performance Fabrics
Specials!
Fancy Frocks Fabrics
Fine Designer Fabrics
Elliott Berman Textiles
High-end Fashion Fabrics
Specials!