Some parts of our community are governed by HOA's but it just depends on location. Our home isn't in an HOA. Every resident pays an annual recreational facilities fee. This year it is $620 per person. That allows anyone to go to any of the four rec centers within the city limits. They have workout rooms, swimming pools, hot tubs, walking tracks, pickleball courts, etc. Our property taxes for a 2000 square foot home on a 10,000 square foot lot run about $1300 a year.
Living a large (20,000+ residents) 55+ Community, I can say it seems like it's probably easier to 'age in place' here as compared to living in a 'non-retirement' community. A few examples: We have three fire stations within our city limits (a total of 12 square miles). They mainly respond to health-related calls and have an incredibly quick response time. Residents can purchase a lock box from the fire department and have it mounted near their front door. In the event that the fire fighters need to get in to assist someone who lives alone, they can access the house keys (as opposed to having to break down a door or window to gain access). We have a Community Foundation that assists lower-income residents with financial crises. If someone needs a new AC unit and can't afford it, the foundation will pay for it. If they can't make their utility payment, the foundation will pay it. They also provide financial guidance/assistance to residents who request it. We have a full-service hospital (with ER/ICU, etc.) within our city limits. There are too many medical offices to list. But unless someone needs very specialized care, almost all medical issues can be dealt with within the confines of the city. Can't drive? There are many available transportation services? Can't cook? There are multiple community resources to provide residents with meals and food delivery. Live alone and just want someone to check up on you? We have a volunteer Posse that will do daily welfare checks. There are a lot more services available, some of which I'm sure I'm not even aware of. I'd guess 93% of residents here might be able to age-in-place without too many issues.
A discussion near and dear to my heart! I held three full-time jobs during my working career. My first job was at a state university hospital/medical school. I believe my salary topped out at about $30,000/year (in 1996), but the job made me eligible for a state pension plan benefit that was fabulous. Even though I lost half of my pension in my divorce settlement, if I wait to draw on it until I'm 72 years old, I'll get a benefit of about $1200/month. The state contributed all the funds into that pension--none of my salary went into it. My second job came with a much higher salary ($42,000/year), but basically no benefits beyond health insurance and a small 'matching' contribution to a 401(k). I didn't stay there long. My third job--where I stayed for 24 years--also had a modest salary. My final gross was about $76K/year. But I only had to work 37.5 hours a week, had TONS of paid time off and it came with an early retiree health care benefit that I take advantage of now. My employer also contributed a sum equal to 10% of my salary into a 403(b) plan the entire length of my employment. And, on top of everything else, I got to take my dogs with me to work--every single day. I've mentioned before that I never felt 'passionate' about any of my jobs. They were a means to an end and a way for me to support my dog training passion. But the benefits were always more important to me than the salary. My lifestyle is simple enough, I've never felt like I needed to make a lot of money. The benefits are what allowed me to retire early and will likely provide me with a reasonably good income stream for the rest of my life. Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the state pension plan I'm vested in no longer offers the same level of benefits. And that "early medical retiree" plan my final employer offered? It doesn't exist in the same form either. I was fortunate the timing of my employment allowed me to take advantage of some very generous benefits.
Most of my retirement funds are also in TIAA. I do plan to eventually take about 50% of it and turn it into a single-life annuity. I may start by doing an 'interest only' withdrawal for a few years as we don't really 'need' the money now and that would allow the principal to remain until we decided we need/want to begin drawing on it. I'm three years away from drawing my own SS.
Comments
Correct. There are no schools in our 55+ community.
Post: Percentage that “age in place”
Link to comment from May 26, 2026
Some parts of our community are governed by HOA's but it just depends on location. Our home isn't in an HOA. Every resident pays an annual recreational facilities fee. This year it is $620 per person. That allows anyone to go to any of the four rec centers within the city limits. They have workout rooms, swimming pools, hot tubs, walking tracks, pickleball courts, etc. Our property taxes for a 2000 square foot home on a 10,000 square foot lot run about $1300 a year.
Post: Percentage that “age in place”
Link to comment from May 25, 2026
Living a large (20,000+ residents) 55+ Community, I can say it seems like it's probably easier to 'age in place' here as compared to living in a 'non-retirement' community. A few examples: We have three fire stations within our city limits (a total of 12 square miles). They mainly respond to health-related calls and have an incredibly quick response time. Residents can purchase a lock box from the fire department and have it mounted near their front door. In the event that the fire fighters need to get in to assist someone who lives alone, they can access the house keys (as opposed to having to break down a door or window to gain access). We have a Community Foundation that assists lower-income residents with financial crises. If someone needs a new AC unit and can't afford it, the foundation will pay for it. If they can't make their utility payment, the foundation will pay it. They also provide financial guidance/assistance to residents who request it. We have a full-service hospital (with ER/ICU, etc.) within our city limits. There are too many medical offices to list. But unless someone needs very specialized care, almost all medical issues can be dealt with within the confines of the city. Can't drive? There are many available transportation services? Can't cook? There are multiple community resources to provide residents with meals and food delivery. Live alone and just want someone to check up on you? We have a volunteer Posse that will do daily welfare checks. There are a lot more services available, some of which I'm sure I'm not even aware of. I'd guess 93% of residents here might be able to age-in-place without too many issues.
Post: Percentage that “age in place”
Link to comment from May 25, 2026
A discussion near and dear to my heart! I held three full-time jobs during my working career. My first job was at a state university hospital/medical school. I believe my salary topped out at about $30,000/year (in 1996), but the job made me eligible for a state pension plan benefit that was fabulous. Even though I lost half of my pension in my divorce settlement, if I wait to draw on it until I'm 72 years old, I'll get a benefit of about $1200/month. The state contributed all the funds into that pension--none of my salary went into it. My second job came with a much higher salary ($42,000/year), but basically no benefits beyond health insurance and a small 'matching' contribution to a 401(k). I didn't stay there long. My third job--where I stayed for 24 years--also had a modest salary. My final gross was about $76K/year. But I only had to work 37.5 hours a week, had TONS of paid time off and it came with an early retiree health care benefit that I take advantage of now. My employer also contributed a sum equal to 10% of my salary into a 403(b) plan the entire length of my employment. And, on top of everything else, I got to take my dogs with me to work--every single day. I've mentioned before that I never felt 'passionate' about any of my jobs. They were a means to an end and a way for me to support my dog training passion. But the benefits were always more important to me than the salary. My lifestyle is simple enough, I've never felt like I needed to make a lot of money. The benefits are what allowed me to retire early and will likely provide me with a reasonably good income stream for the rest of my life. Now, I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the state pension plan I'm vested in no longer offers the same level of benefits. And that "early medical retiree" plan my final employer offered? It doesn't exist in the same form either. I was fortunate the timing of my employment allowed me to take advantage of some very generous benefits.
Post: Benefits Young Adults Should Look at Before Taking a Job
Link to comment from May 12, 2026
Most of my retirement funds are also in TIAA. I do plan to eventually take about 50% of it and turn it into a single-life annuity. I may start by doing an 'interest only' withdrawal for a few years as we don't really 'need' the money now and that would allow the principal to remain until we decided we need/want to begin drawing on it. I'm three years away from drawing my own SS.
Post: The never ending payday
Link to comment from May 9, 2026
Another great HD contribution--thanks for this.
Post: Rethinking the “Right” Time for Social Security
Link to comment from April 26, 2026
Great article! This should be mandatory reading for young people.
Post: Investing Fundamentals: A Simple Guide for Beginners
Link to comment from April 26, 2026