You may have looked into the idea of joining or living in a 55+ community in your life, whether for you or for a loved one. It’s a unique living situation with many benefits, especially for seniors. But like anything in life, there are also downsides.
If you’re thinking about making the move to a 55+ community, there are pros and cons to consider before your move. Keep reading as we dive into the good and bad of these enticing communities.
Pros of 55+ Communities
Many positive aspects come with planting roots in a 55+ community. Although it can be a difficult transition, it’s provided many quality opportunities for seniors and their families alike.
Location in Community
One of the best parts about a 55+ community is that you get to be surrounded by a community of peers, most about the same age and from similar walks of life. These active adult communities are typically full of thriving individuals, allowing you to spend time with like-minded people while also still enjoying your younger senior years.
Adults must socialize. In fact, even a tiny amount of socialization can lower risks for loneliness and isolation as you age, dementia, and even chronic disease. It’s good to be in a community where you can easily socialize and know you will run into peers your age who have similar goals in life.
People love to be in a community, but one of parents with young children probably isn’t the best fit anymore–as you don’t have anything in common. Your children are probably grown. A 55+ community is an easy way to place yourself with people in the same walk of life as you are. No early morning kid chasing–just squash games and walking clubs!
Affordable Option
If you want to get a more affordable living option with all the amenities of an apartment complex (the more traditional route), a 55+ community is the way to go. It’s typically cheaper than a condo with the same amenities. Plus, these communities tend to be more well-kept than many apartment complexes because everyone living there has been working and saving for years.
Of course, the state you live in will impact the cost of your local 55+ community. One area in California will likely cost more than a spot in South Carolina, for example. There are also many refinancing options for seniors who think they might struggle to pay for their housing.
Amenities
Another bonus of living in a 55+ community is access to bountiful amenities during your time in the location. They are well-maintained and cared for by the staff, which comes from the fees you pay during the year. They are there and cared for for the people’s enjoyment.
As you age, it’s likely the amenities you want to have access to have changed. While your younger years might have seen a rooftop pool and bar as desirable, now you probably prefer a clubhouse with a golf course and squash court.
Amenities in 55+ communities might include some of the following items:
- Pools
- Gyms
- Game rooms
- Dining rooms
- Classrooms
- Golf courses
- Art classes
- Dog parks
- Social events
Many locations have events constantly, so you will never run out of things to do.
Not every 55+ community will have these amenities, and some might have more. It’s helpful to consider what amenities you want before deciding on a community if you decide it’s the life for you. For example, if you really want a pool, there’s no need to look at a home in a 55+ location that doesn’t have a pool listed as one of its amenities.
Security
Most of the time, 55+ communities take their security and safety very seriously. Many are located inside gated areas, often with guard gates at the front to scan and analyze visitors before they head inside. Also, most of these communities are built in low-crime spots to keep the residents as safe as possible.
Guests who want to invest in a home in these communities must go through a background check and other examinations before they are approved. On top of that, many 55+ locations have invested in security teams to make regular rounds throughout the day to help everyone feel secure.
There’s nothing better than feeling safe, especially as you age and become more vulnerable to crime. Many 55+ locations invest in this valuable aspect, which is a huge plus if you’re nervous about your safety
Minimal Maintenance
Most 55+ locations charge an HOA fee for their residents to call the place home. Although it might be a hassle to think of these excess costs, it does mean there is quality maintenance completed by the staff from the payments. Thus, you won’t need to do too much to maintain your yard or sidewalk, which is very practical as the years go by (especially if you live somewhere where you need to shovel snow!)
You don’t need to worry about landscaping your yard with a 55+ community, and you don’t need to stress about making repairs throughout the year. The complex should complete these for you with a simple phone call, which makes life much easier for you and your loved ones.
Minimal maintenance means simpler living. It’s one of the best perks of occupying a 55+ community.
Transportation
If you live in a senior community, transportation could be one of the perks you receive as a resident. It’s normal for physical abilities to decline with age, and with that comes a need for further assistance with transportation. Many 55+ locations offer buses, cars, and vans to transport residents from one spot to another, reducing the need for a car.
Although the driving services aren’t like owning a vehicle, most offer residents rides to the grocery store and various medical facilities. They are there for any further assistance that becomes necessary and for the basic needs of the residents. So if you don’t have a car, there is no need to worry.
Lower Property Taxes
In a 55+ area, you will pay fewer taxes than in a spot without an age designation. The community doesn’t need the same support as other areas, meaning they aren’t saddled with as many fees as other neighborhood types.
Less taxes means you get to keep more money in your pocket to spend on whatever other crucial items you need. Of course, every 55+ community will differ, and some might have more taxes attached to them than others (especially for California residents).
Related: Should You Move into a 55+ Community?
Cons of 55+ Communities
Of course, where there are positive traits, there tend to be negative. There are some significant downsides to a 55+ community that might cause some people to seek other options for their later years.
Minimal Diversity In Age
A strong social life is an incredible benefit to the body, even leading to a lowered risk of depression and a longer overall lifespan. In a 55+ location, you have plenty of access to socialization with people around your age. However, you might not have many chances to speak to younger or much older people.
Although there isn’t necessarily anything wrong with only talking to people your age, it is exciting to speak to people of different ages to get a better understanding of various perspectives in life. Diversity in age makes it more exciting to have conversations, and there is a significant lack of that in these areas.
If you want to live with people from all walks of life, a 55+ community might not be the right place for you. It’s meant for a specific age group.
Small Homes
Although some homes in these communities are large, most of them tend to be apartments, townhomes, or even nice mobile homes in some cases. A 55+ community will rarely have full-size homes, so those looking for a mansion might want to look elsewhere for the ideal living experience.
Also, most homes in these communities are made with the idea of two people in mind. If you want to have family or friends over to visit, it might be a little bit of a tighter squeeze than it would have in other living situations. You must be ready to downsize significantly if you move into these communities.
If you move, you will need to prepare your belongings and donate/reorganize accordingly to ensure all your stuff fits. Otherwise, you’ll be overwhelmed with the lack of space in most 55+ community homes.
HOA Fees
Many times, there are HOA fees and restrictions that come with a 55+ community. These can be due monthly or yearly and typically depend on the state of the location. The nicer the community and homes, the more you will pay in HOA fees over time.
With an HOA comes rules and restrictions. All residents must abide by these rules, and if they don’t, they might face serious fines and other issues for their actions.
A few common HOA restrictions include the following:
- Landscaping outside the home
- How you might take advantage of available amenities
- The decorations you’re allowed to put on the outside of the home
- Age requirements in place to live in the community
- Any customizations of the home
These are just a few potential restrictions.
Ultimately, the HOA has a final say in most of the things that occur within a 55+ community. If you don’t like these rules, you might struggle to live in a 55+ community.
No Healthcare
Most of the time, 55+ communities don’t have healthcare built onsite for their residents. They are not included in the HOA fees because they want to promote the independence of the occupants rather than making them feel like they need constant assistance from those who work at the location.
No healthcare might not be a problem for many adults, but those who require daily, weekly, or monthly doctor’s appointments might struggle with the constant travel to health facilities for their checkups. It will quickly become overwhelming to try to get to everything in time.
Alternatively, it’s possible to bring in third-party services for additional assistance if you still want to live in a community. However, this action might take time out of your day that you do not have. If that’s the case, it might be a good idea to examine community options that also have a healthcare aspect built right into the system for the residents.
Tricky To Sell
It can be trickier to sell a home in a 55+ community than it is to sell a home in a traditional neighborhood. Thanks to the requirement, you can only sell it to people who are older than 55, and they cannot have children living with them. Willing younger buyers might be interested in the house at a lower price, but they aren’t able to purchase it from you thanks to the restrictions.
Also, not everyone wants to live in a 55+ community. Some feel they are too planned out, and others don’t appreciate the necessary HOA fee users must participate in to live in a location. It might feel impossible to sell the home, leading to potential frustration down the line.
Of course, many who move to a 55+ community aren’t looking to sell. If that’s you, this con might not be as big of a deal in your final decision process.
Less Privacy
Finally, you tend to get less privacy with housing in a 55+ community. Many housing options are 55-plus apartments and 55-plus condos – locations meant to be shared between two people at most. Many times, the walls between homes are connected, and there are many shared pathways between prominent locations in these areas.
At the end of the day, the more community you get, the less privacy you will receive. While some might not struggle with this constant exposure, others might find it drives them crazy. You will experience significantly less privacy if you occupy a 55+ community in your next season of life.
Of course, there are ways to achieve privacy in a 55+ community. However, if you don’t like being surrounded by neighbors at all times, you might want to be careful about purchasing a home in a 55+ place.
Final Thoughts on 55+ Communities
If you’re looking for a place with minimal maintenance requirements, excellent amenities, security, and more, a 55+ community might be for you. However, if you don’t like HOA fees, smaller living areas, minimal privacy, and more, you might want to examine your options before moving in.
Although there are some downsides to 55+ communities, they are an excellent option for those who want to be surrounded by their peers and plenty of amenities. Whether you’re looking for friends or peace of mind, a 55+ community is a valid choice to consider for your future or the future of a loved one.
Do you think a 55+ Community might be a good fit for you? Check out our guide for How to Choose a 55+ Community.
