Quote:
Originally Posted by rayschic
I moved down here in my forties and have been here almost 8 years. I still get lots of nasty comments about being too young to be here. I have noticed that it is a lot of the same people. For example, my street used to have monthly parties and at EVERY party, two of the couples would corner me and grill me about why I lived here. At first, I was offended because I felt they were being pretty rude. But, after they kept bringing it up at EVERY party, I just excuse myself to talk to someone else and laugh it off. Some peolple will NOT change their opinion that younger people don't deserve to be here. I have also gotten a few snide remarks at the pool. You just can't change how OTHER people feel, so try to just laugh it off. It's not worth getting upset about. I don't expect to get these comments much longer. LOL
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The lady I referenced in a previous post lives in a 55 and over community that REQUIRES one spouse to be over 55, Laguna Woods Village, CA. While not as large as TV, LWV is large enough to boast several clubhouses and pools. She and her husband have now resided there eight years, since she was 53. She is now 61 years of age and still has "movie star" face, hair, teeth and figure thanks to her genetics and her healthy lifestyle. Think Suzanne Somers six years ago at the same age. She suffers the comments, mostly from obese, older, out of shape married women but also from the Casserole Brigade widows and divorcees. To my knowledge no man has ever said anything derogatory to her there. She recently informed me the comments have dwindled because so many people know her there now and she is, after all, aging. Both she and her husband have been very active as homeowner association officers and in other leadership positions. Nonetheless, a couple of weeks ago we were having lunch at the LWV country club and while enjoying our food on the patio I noticed several (with apologies to Gracie) "old biddies" giving her the evil eye. I really think she has simply gotten used to it. Too, because their community is located within a heavily populated urban region most of their activities are outside the gates among the general populace rather than mostly confined within a self-contained community located out in the boondocks. This makes their situation doable. Plus, she happens to have always had many elderly friends and truly enjoys being around much older folks.
In my research on 55 and over communities I have done a lot of reading of works by sociologists, anthropologists and the like. In one, a Seal Beach Leisureworld 70 year old woman is quoted. She said "Who the heck would want to be in here if you're under 55?...I guess its OK as long as they don't start having babies."