Due Diligence: What other retirement communities should I look at?
 

If you had to choose a retirement community other than TV, what would it be?

Do you want to be on the coast, Atlantic or Gulf or it doesn't matter, if you prefer the center of the state? That's the first question, location, location, location. Then what's your budget, if you say $250K, there are many communities where homes start at $300K or $400K or higher.

The 55+ website is a great place to get an idea. Start with an area, such as Tampa/St. Pete, or St. Augustine/Daytona or Naples / Fort Myers. You can get an idea of what's available in that area, prices, amenities, sights and entertainment. There also reviews and homes for sale at most locations.

When you have a general idea of where, then come here and ask "How is On Top the World" Condos in Clearwater, chances are someone has been there and looked at it already, or even lived there and then moved here. About half of the residents of TV have moved from other parts of Florida.

Here's the site, pick a city, when the results come up, click on the city name and the results will be displayed on a map which you can move around.

55+ Places to Retire Website

Tx. I was not familiar with that web site.

I'm still curious what others would choose besides TV though.

For some quick results it's a good idea to use the 'search' button at the top of the website. When I moved here ten years ago I had a 20 page pad filled with answers to everything I would need. From painters, to golf cart stores, handyman, etc. Of course, I had already decided on moving here, I have lived in Florida off and on since I was 9 years old.

There's probably not a question that hasn't been asked before, so the search button is the most important features of this site. Slow responses might be because some people are getting tired of answering the same questions, so I did a search for you. Here are some results, this should keep you busy.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...nt+communities

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It may be easier to hire you as a retirement advisor.

I checked out a piece on the "25 best value active adult communities 2020" from that 55+ website.

TV did not make the cut.

One that did had this listed among the amenities: A tennis court and a golf course. A. As in one. Hard to compare that to TV.

I visited multiple 55+ places in Charleston SC area, Nashville, Atlanta, Savannah, Jacksonville FL etc. I liked something about each, but it came down to the huge variety of activities for any interest, knowing my interests could change as I age. For now it the was 90+ swimming pools and the golf cart lifestyle. Do I wish there was indoor swimming available? sure. But every body needs a day off for cross training. Plus I was run out of Hilton Head by hurricanes twice, so I like the feeling of being away from the coast a little. The average age here seemed a little younger/more outgoing, at least in the southern new areas.

Well, my brother and his wife moved to this one a few years ago. I visited them and found it very scenic but it bored me to tears. It was remote from just about everything.
Luxury Retirement Communities for Active Adults and 55+ Seniors the-preserve- The Preserve

To make a long story, short. The Villages (TV) is the largest retirement community with a population of about 125,000 and has more things, and more of those things than any where else. So the only other question is location, what could be a bigger draw, it's the beach. I know firsthand because I grew up in St. Petersburg and also lived in Pensacola for 6 years and Savannah for 8 years, all coastal cities. This really is the first place I've lived that I could not go to the beach in 30 minutes or less.

I've know three people who have left TV and moved to the coast. They were not retirement communities because they're always where you want to live. I have known others who moved, but it was to return to the north, the time away from the kids and grandkids was too much. That's the biggest factors, is family something you can set aside and see once a year, and are you a beach and boating type person. Otherwise you should love it here.

I would choose a retirement community in Stuart Florida because of the weather and beaches. Also that area is more upscale than The The Villages. It’s more expensive but it’s green all year and without the stifling heat of Central Florida.

Belle Vista Arkansas

I love The Villages and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Unless I had millions and could afford multiple homes. I'd have one up north and one south of here near a beach.

Stuart is a very high crime area, we stayed there a couple times when we were traveling in a Class A motorhome. We were warned to stay out of a lot of areas. As of today only 17% of all US cities have a higher crime rate per capita and in florida 70% of all cities and towns have a lower crime rate than Stuart. It may look nice but there are better places to go over there that are much safer such as Vero Beach.

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The 55 Best 55+ Active Adult Communities of 2020 | 55places