| What is an over 55 community? There are persons | | | | movies, and library. Not all communities have all |
| just coming into the age of 45 to 55, who want to | | | | features so this is something to ask about. |
| know. The 55 applies to age. You have to be age 55 | | | | Programs may include Wellness Centers, medical |
| and over to live in these communities. These | | | | centers, partnering with colleges, travel, and guest |
| communities are often referred to as age-restricted | | | | speakers. On-site features may include a village |
| communities. By law, they must meet certain | | | | shopping center that you can walk to with |
| standards for seniors, and, if it is an over-55 | | | | everything you need conveniently nearby--grocery |
| community, it needs to be posted as such. You won't | | | | store, cleaners, post office, bank and a variety of |
| understand or appreciate the many benefits of these | | | | restaurants. |
| types of communities until you reach age 55, but it is | | | | There are strict rules about nuisances such as loud |
| good to explore them while you are younger. This is | | | | music--these rules depend on your community. As |
| part of retirement planning which should be started | | | | you age, these things become much more important |
| as early as possible. | | | | to alleviate stress and noise in your life. You can age |
| Most community rules say at least one person needs | | | | gracefully in these communities. Not until you are |
| to be 55. However, the rules usually state that | | | | older do you realize how important these |
| thesecond person, if there is one, cannot be less | | | | communities are. Services and conveniences become |
| than a certain age. There are further rules that apply | | | | necessary as our bodies age. |
| to very young persons, usually under the age of 19. | | | | Most of these communities do not offer personal |
| If the rules say "anyone under 19 cannot live there," | | | | medical assistance. Most people living at these |
| then anyone under that age cannot live there as a | | | | communities who need additional assistance hire a |
| full-time resident. These rules will usually allow a | | | | medical personal aide. There are also community |
| person under age 19 to reside there for a short | | | | programs to reach the elderly to bring meals and |
| period of time only--usually up to 3 months, but rules | | | | drive them to medical appointments or grocery |
| vary so you need to inquire. | | | | stores. If you need more assistance, you may wish |
| These communities offer a quiet, and more secure | | | | to look into assisted living, independent or lifecare |
| setting, as many are gated. If security is important, | | | | communities, which usually have a higher age limit. |
| ask what type of security is provided. The best is a | | | | Over-55 communities can be found as a home |
| 24-hour manned security gate with patrols. This gives | | | | purchase or rental. Over-55 rentals are called senior |
| seniors a little more peace of mind and less to worry | | | | apartments. There are also rental single homes, |
| about whether they are at home or away. | | | | cottages, and villas, but these are rarer. Some |
| Often you hear these communities are for retirees | | | | over-55 apartments are for low-income residents. |
| and are referred to as "retirement communities," but | | | | The age limit on these may be higher and you are |
| you do not have to be retired to live there--just | | | | required to meet certain income requirements. They |
| meet the age limits and, of course, be financially | | | | fill up fast and usually have waiting lists to get in. |
| qualified. Many people over 55 living in these | | | | These are great if you have to live in an area that |
| communities are still working--usually around 50%. | | | | you cannot afford. |
| These communities are also known as active adult | | | | There are also over-55 mobile home communities, |
| communities for good reason--the residents are still | | | | manufactured homes communities, equestrian |
| very active with amenities to meet their needs. | | | | communities and college-linked communities. Each |
| Some of the amenities at these communities include | | | | community is different. Most will have a Visit program |
| pools, clubhouses, restaurants, clubs, golf course, | | | | of some type to "try-out" the community before |
| tennis, fitness centers, and walking trails. Many have | | | | you buy. So what is an over-55 community--a place, |
| additional amenities such as gardens, woodworking | | | | whether you are still working or retired, where your |
| shops, computer centers, fishing lakes, boating, | | | | daily needs, as a person over-55, can be met. |