I am about 5 years from retirement (God willing and the Dow goes north instead of south). My wife and I are looking for a place to move to for our retirement years. We want to stay in North Texas (near kids / grand kids / and no state income tax). To that point they are opening a Dell Webb community in a vey nice North Dallas area (Frisco). They will have all the amenities and are close to the lake. We are looking to down size our home as we currently have about 3,200 sqft and would go to 2,200 sqft. This is a good reduction in taxes and the homes they are building are Energy Star compliant so the utilities would drop about $100/mo. Taxes are good and it is close enough for me to still commute to work. Its about the same distance I do today. We would like to move about 2 yrs from now as it would allow us to be in for 3+ years while still having an income other than retirement. My wife would start to draw her SS at 62.5.
The question is does anyone live in an adult, read 55+ only, community? If so what are your comments. Would like to have any other input the Vintage group would offer.

Thanks

Dan

 

I don't, but my sister does.

She likes it. The only issue she's ever heard is that if someone's adult child/grandchild wants to stay for any extended period, that can be a problem.

I'd say just be sure to check all the rules and regulations carefully so you don't get any surprises.

 

I second Lainey's comment about knowing what you're getting into.

When we moved here to Boca, we looked at all sorts of communities (around here, each neighborhood is, in effect, such a community with covenants, dues, and all sorts of things.) Perhaps because of of the residents' having time to pay attention, the 55+ communities seemed to have the most restrictive rules, activist governance, and other things that could make for PITA living. In a couple of them, it wasn't clear that I'd be allowed to keep my S (although we were pretty sure that we would have been able to keep the Subaru Forester).

Vehicles, pets, visitors, landscaping, the color of the house; just about anything you can think of can come under these rules. Caveat emptor. HPH

 

I'm not ready for a Vintage community. I live in a condo and out of 27 units, there is only one person barely under 50. Though our rules are not overly restrictive or tuned toward Vintage living ( motorcycles are allowed), there are too many people here waiting to die to suit me. People here love their grandchildren, with a big emphasis on THEIR. Frankly, I wish the crowd here was younger; it's easier to act young rather than act old. I like Frisco though.

 

I'm not ready for a Vintage community. I live in a condo and out of 27 units, there is only one person barely under 50. Though our rules are not overly restrictive or tuned toward Vintage living ( motorcycles are allowed), there are too many people here waiting to die to suit me. People here love their grandchildren, with a big emphasis on THEIR. Frankly, I wish the crowd here was younger; it's easier to act young rather than act old. I like Frisco though.

 

Thanks for the comments. I do value your input. Our current HOA is very restrictive. An extreem example it that you cannot have more than 3 bird houses in your back yard.
Definately will get a copy of the HOA rules prior to signing on the line

 

It's also a good idea to see if you can get copies of the HOA's meeting minutes for some number of months. This can give you some idea of how the board handles conflicts, and whether they're people who think being dictatorial is a great hobby.

My mother is in a seniors' mobile home park. A number of her neighbors complained when she replaced the painted gravel ground cover of her space with *GASP* plants.

 

My sister in law (65) lives in a small one. She's mostly ignored the rules....all kinds of flower boxes, knick knacks on the RETRO front porch, extra shrubs.....the Village Vintage Vagabond is she!

If she was to repeat the purchase, she might do something different I'll have to ask her.....

 

My mother and father bought a house in an adult community about 25 years ago. They were confident that they understood the restrictions and the services that the community was supposed to provide.

They were under the impression that the community was responsible for everything on the outside of the house (except for any extra shrubs that they planted) and that they were responsible for everything on the inside of the house.

The restrictions haven't been a problem. The few times they wanted a varience, to extend the sun room for example, they were granted it. The services, however, seem to be lacking.

The asphalt driveway is badly in need of repair. My mother was under the impression that the community would provide the repairs. As it turns out they won't and my mother has to have it fixed. Same is true of the siding on the house and a part of the sidewalk.

I'm not exactly sure if my mother is correct, as she insists, that the community is supposed to be responsible for the repairs, and I haven't read the contract. My point is, however, you should have a very clear understanding of what you are buying before you sign contract.

 

Just a quick thanks to all for your input. Asked for and received two sets of documents. First is building requirements and the second is the general HOA rules. Building requirements are too bad at about 25 pages. The general HOA is 100+. Looks like a nice night of reading and highlighing to ask questions later.

Thanks again

Dan