[Cranford61]

Originally Posted by Woodbear

Our 26 year old daughter lives with us. On multiple occasions, (we have been here 6 months) people have come up to her and asked "can I help you." when she responds, No, I live here. Every time she gets the "no you can't." We tell her to be as respectful as she can to say "yes I can and yes I do."

That’s a real shame that you have not successfully launched your 26 yo.

[Djean1981]

Until recently, The Villages sold some reasonably priced small cottage homes with standard/modest features. We were blessed to get one right before the prices took off.. Now, they are selling used for about 2x as much.. I read that new nearby apartments were going to cost $2k a month - several hundred more a month than my mortgage. Even homes in nearby Wildwood are super overpriced. I don't know how ordinary workers afford to live nearby. The OP works remote, and may indeed be able to afford to live here - could be making San Francisco-type wages.

[Luggage]

80/20 is a rule that allows developers to discriminate against those with children LEGALLY.. almost nothing STOPS someone under 65 or 55 to live here except if they have children ( school systems etc ) ..


55 & Older Housing – what does that mean? The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin. Many States have their own Fair Housing Act – in Florida Chapter 760 of the Florida Statutes is dedicated to discrimination issues that expand the protection to age and marital status. The term ‘familial status’ generally refers to occupancy by children (person under 18) with parent, guardian or designee of the parent. So why or how are there 55 & older communities? Well, every rule has exceptions, right? The Fair Housing Act is no different. The Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) is an exception that allows communities to operate as “55 or over” housing. To qualify for this exemption, the following criteria must be met:

At least 80% of the units must be occupied by at least one resident over the age of 55;
The community must publish and adhere to policies and procedures demonstrating an intent by the housing provider (the association) to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older; and
The housing provider must engage in appropriate age verification procedures that includes a community census from time to time.
Ok – at least one person 55 or older must reside in at least 80% of the occupied units. What do you do with the other 20%? On April 1, 1999 the United States Department of House and Urban Development (“HUD “) published Federal Regulations implementing the Housing For Older Persons Act of 1995 (“HOPA”). Basically, HUD does not care how a community handles the 20% “cushion” as reflected below:

There continues to be confusion concerning what is often referred to as the 80/20 split. HOPA states that the minimum standard to obtain housing for persons who are 55 years of age or older status is that “at least 80%” of the occupied units be occupied by persons 55 years or older. There is no requirement that the remaining 20% of the occupied units be occupied by persons under the age of 55, nor is there a requirement that those units be used only for persons where at least one member of the household is 55 years of age or older. Communities may decline to permit any persons under the age of 55, may require that 100% of the units have at least one occupant who is 55 years of age or older, may permit up to 20% of the occupied units to be occupied by persons who are younger than 55 years of age, or set whatever requirements they wish, as long as “at least 80%” of the occupied units are occupied by one person 55 years of age or older, and so long as such requirements are not inconsistent with the overall intent to be housing for older persons.

Does that mean a community that desires to sustain is Housing for Older Persons status should let everyone in up to the 20%? No, not really. The “cushion” is designed to allow the housing provider (association) to permit exceptions when appropriate. If a couple resides in a property and one is 55 and the other not, do you, as a community leader or manager, want to be put in a position that requires you to say “you’re in violation” if the resident over 55 passes away? What if the couple gets divorced? What if someone resides with their adult child? In our view, the ‘cushion’ is exactly that – something that protects you or softens the requirements to avoid unpleasant results. Does your community qualify as Housing for Older Persons? Community leaders that aren’t sure should consult with counsel, as penalties for discrimination (even unintentional discrimination) can be harsh.

Originally Posted by lindaelane

The 80/20 rule does not apply here. Yes, Middleton is opening up and younger people can live there. But in most Villages, as I understand it, the rule is that at least one member of the household must be 55 or over and that no one under 18 can remain for more than a month. So, people in their 20s living here (not in Middleton) are living with the parents/relatives. Twenty-somethings do live here, but not at anything like the 20 percent level. I have never encountered a 20 something living here, though again, I know it happens.

I am saying that if having a few people of your age group around you is important to you, that can't be guaranteed. But that may not be important to you.

DID YOU SIGN A STATMENT - WHEN BUYING YOUR HOME THAT YOU ARE 55+ ???? bet you did not.

[JanetMM]

Originally Posted by youngvillagertobe

I am a 24 year old man, single, no kids, work from home and am looking to buy my first house. I would love to live in the Villages and know about the 80/20 rule when it comes to 55+ communities. I am quiet, and old soul, respectful of others and always maintain a clean living space/ yard. What would be the honest reaction to having a young person live next door?

I would have no problem. As long as there is not too many parties or they go too late it’s fine with me. In fact, in addition to my “old time rock n roll” I like a lot of the alternative music that is being played right now. Disturbed, 5 Finger Death Punch, Bad Wolves and others.

[PugMom]

Originally Posted by judyflorida

You don't say WHY you want to live in The Villages or what you would do here? Do you enjoy "hanging out" with your older people- grandparents, parents?
I think neighbors would love to have you around to help with things-- tech issues etc.
My son lived here for a while in his 30's. He found it difficult to meet professional people and to earn a good salary.s

you could open a pc service & be busy alllll day long!

[BigSteph]

If you are from the area, I could understand that this might be an attractive destination. If you are from another region, I cannot imagine why you would want to come here. Outside of online jobs, there are few really good opportunities unless you want to commute to Orlando or Tampa.

This is a somewhat idyllic place for semi-retired and retired.

If you don't like loud cars, loud stereos, basketball hoops in the road, skateboards grinding curbs, trailers in the yard and driveway, and guys torquing transmissions at midnight, this could be a good place for you. These are things you generally escape when choosing a retirement neighborhood over a mixed-generation neighborhood.

Some people will tell you to leave if you don't like it here, and sometimes I think some people should leave themselves -- go back to mixed-generational housing. I kinda think the general consensus is that this is a senior community. To make it anything else, just makes it a common neighborhood -- you can find nice mixed-generation neighborhoods in every climate near every city in America -- you don't have to come to Marion, Lake, or Sumter counties in BFE Florida to find them.

A good example is the person who posted about getting a 30+ mph Go-Cart and using it on the Multi-modal paths. Sure many people here could afford one. Some could afford a Porsche Go-Cart if they made them. The thing is, this a senior Golf-Cart community (along with walking and biking). Had this been a go-cart community; understanding the speeds, the noise, and the Tokyo-Drifting, we would have picked elsewhere.


If you are a young person who enjoys most aspects of a senior community, then welcome.

Originally Posted by youngvillagertobe

I am a 24 year old man, single, no kids, work from home and am looking to buy my first house. I would love to live in the Villages and know about the 80/20 rule when it comes to 55+ communities. I am quiet, and old soul, respectful of others and always maintain a clean living space/ yard. What would be the honest reaction to having a young person live next door?

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by JanetMM

I would have no problem. As long as there is not too many parties or they go too late it’s fine with me. In fact, in addition to my “old time rock n roll” I like a lot of the alternative music that is being played right now. Disturbed, 5 Finger Death Punch, Bad Wolves and others.

And if there are what are you going to do??

[HogPilot]

Originally Posted by youngvillagertobe

I am a 24 year old man, single, no kids, work from home and am looking to buy my first house. I would love to live in the Villages and know about the 80/20 rule when it comes to 55+ communities. I am quiet, and old soul, respectful of others and always maintain a clean living space/ yard. What would be the honest reaction to having a young person live next door?

Please come live here. I’d enjoy a younger perspective views, opinions and muscle if needed. If you decide this is not for you, don’t sell your home, it’s a revenue generator and will only increase in value. The area South of CR 44 might be better suited closer to a younger demographic.

[Cliff Fr]

I would suggest that you buy a home in an area close to the Villages that is not age restricted. That way you can go to the town squares but still live around younger people

[davem4616]

what you are considering makes absolutely no sense to me

[JanetMM]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

And if there are what are you going to do??

I guess I would do what my Mum would have done. Go talk to my neighbor if it really was too loud too often. Why? What would you do ?

[Proveone]

Originally Posted by youngvillagertobe

I am a 24 year old man, single, no kids, work from home and am looking to buy my first house. I would love to live in the Villages and know about the 80/20 rule when it comes to 55+ communities. I am quiet, and old soul, respectful of others and always maintain a clean living space/ yard. What would be the honest reaction to having a young person live next door?

Why would a 24 year old guy want to move into a community with old people?

[Latora]

As explained by my Realtor…….The Villages is “intended” for 55 and over. She is in her 40’s and lives in The Villages.

[Tlbeal]

Originally Posted by lindaelane

The 80/20 rule does not apply here. Yes, Middleton is opening up and younger people can live there. But in most Villages, as I understand it, the rule is that at least one member of the household must be 55 or over and that no one under 18 can remain for more than a month. So, people in their 20s living here (not in Middleton) are living with the parents/relatives. Twenty-somethings do live here, but not at anything like the 20 percent level. I have never encountered a 20 something living here, though again, I know it happens.

I am saying that if having a few people of your age group around you is important to you, that can't be guaranteed. But that may not be important to you.

Incorrect info, we have three households near us that none of the owners are 55 yo or anyone in the household is 55 yo. We live in St. Catherines.

[Michread]

We love young people here! And yes there are more young people here than most know about.

FB group, the villages young adults, last I heard has over 300 members.

Yup, buy in the newest villages for a younger village crowd.