My wife and I are recently retired and considering a move back to Texas. We've looked at a few of these 55+ communities and are intrigued. Anyone have any experience with these planned 55+ communities? We've looked at Chambers Creek in Willis, The Woodlands, and perhaps Lakeside at Millican. The homes we're looking at are in the 600k range, which we could get into with a minimal mortgage. HOAs are in the $3k annual range, but come with quite a few amenities. Chambers Creek and Millican will have significant MUDs, probably in the 3% range, which is significant.
Post Reply
1 of 1
55+ communities
2,754 Views |
28 Replies |
Last: 16 days ago by jja79
I moved from suburban Houston to a 55+ community in suburban Phoenix so I have no specific input about those communities. I do very much enjoy living in mine though. What type amenities do they have? We have golf, pools, gyms, tennis, pickleball and other facilities for other activities.
My take away from living here for 2.5 years is that no one grew up in and went to school in these type communities so it's really easy to meet people and make friends because everyone was once the new guy.
My take away from living here for 2.5 years is that no one grew up in and went to school in these type communities so it's really easy to meet people and make friends because everyone was once the new guy.
Much like what you mention. There's hiking trails, swimming, gym, pool, biking, pickleball, planned events. Chambers creek has a golf course and lake. Millican has mountain bike trails and lake. HOA covers landscaping and yard upkeep too, so it's easy to take off for periods of time. As you mention, most folks are from other areas, and with planned events and activities in the community, it should be easy to transition.
I have a friend who moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Tx a couple of years ago. He loves it there and has tried to get me to moved there. I believe the HOA fees around $1200/yr.
Ordinary Man said:
I have a friend who moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Tx a couple of years ago. He loves it there and has tried to get me to moved there. I believe the HOA fees around $1200/yr.
My mom lives in Sun City. She loves it. I can't believe how cheap the HOA fees are and all the amenities you get
I also agree check out Sun City. It is next to Georgetown which is a very nice small but growing fast city. All the retail you need is in GT just a few miles away and plenty of medical professionals in easy reach.
Wow. I just went down a rabbit hole at Sun City. Lots to look at! Thanks!
Having parents that lived in sun city and eventually left, just recognize it as a phase you won't stay in. After 10 years or so your friends start leaving or dying as they age and there's lots of turnover. Your kids will move you when it's time so if you want more than superficial friendships or something lasting, you won't find it there.
I think it makes people who live there highly transactional in friendships and selfish and demanding. Everything caters to you and it's hard to leave that behind when you go other places, even if it's not your natural bent.
When you downsize it makes it harder for family to come and stay if they aren't all in the area. Theres no extra space for grandchildren if you plan to be heavily involved with them. Even if they lived in Georgetown, it's 20+ minutes to get anywhere so it's still a trip.
Not trying to be personal but this is my experience as the child of someone who lived there.
I think it makes people who live there highly transactional in friendships and selfish and demanding. Everything caters to you and it's hard to leave that behind when you go other places, even if it's not your natural bent.
When you downsize it makes it harder for family to come and stay if they aren't all in the area. Theres no extra space for grandchildren if you plan to be heavily involved with them. Even if they lived in Georgetown, it's 20+ minutes to get anywhere so it's still a trip.
Not trying to be personal but this is my experience as the child of someone who lived there.
I know nothing of Sun City in Georgetown but I completely disagree with you about friendship in 55+ communities being superficial.
Yea I'd talk to current residents and value their opinions more then a third party bystander.
SteveBott said:
Yea I'd talk to current residents and value their opinions more then a third party bystander.
These are my parent's opinions and they spent almost 20 years there before leaving. I'm telling you what your kids will see and experience, since you should consider that if you have any. Friendships don't have to be superficial but change quite naturally because crises are different there; the next stage of life after medical issues and death is care, not independence.
I have one parent with dementia right now. The others just moved out of sun city two years ago because I'm the only kid who will take care of them.
Plan for it now. You won't keep your doctors and friends when your kids have to help you manage life from two hours away, it'll be another move. Even if it's in town, it'll be closer to them.
Edit: I've heard too many retirees talk about how they intend to spend everything they have on themselves not to see how it changes things. If you want to cruise all year, when your friends can't go for whatever reason, you'll keep doing it and move on. Sorry you couldn't make it to canasta, maybe we'll see you next time. So and so's husband died at they left. The time you spend with people in person is always more meaningful that texting and social media. That's my point.
My in-laws live in Sun City Georgetown. I call it summer camp for old people. It has worked out well for them, but I don't think I would ever want to live in that type of community.
This is true. From what I can tell, most of the houses in Sun City are one-story, two-bedroom, which would make visiting with the family difficult. However, their house has an additional bedroom and sitting area on the second floor, which works out really well for visiting them.
Quote:
When you downsize it makes it harder for family to come and stay if they aren't all in the area. Theres no extra space for grandchildren if you plan to be heavily involved with them. Even if they lived in Georgetown, it's 20+ minutes to get anywhere so it's still a trip.
This is true. From what I can tell, most of the houses in Sun City are one-story, two-bedroom, which would make visiting with the family difficult. However, their house has an additional bedroom and sitting area on the second floor, which works out really well for visiting them.
AGC said:SteveBott said:
Yea I'd talk to current residents and value their opinions more then a third party bystander.
These are my parent's opinions and they spent almost 20 years there before leaving. I'm telling you what your kids will see and experience, since you should consider that if you have any. Friendships don't have to be superficial but change quite naturally because crises are different there; the next stage of life after medical issues and death is care, not independence.
I have one parent with dementia right now. The others just moved out of sun city two years ago because I'm the only kid who will take care of them.
Plan for it now. You won't keep your doctors and friends when your kids have to help you manage life from two hours away, it'll be another move. Even if it's in town, it'll be closer to them.
Edit: I've heard too many retirees talk about how they intend to spend everything they have on themselves not to see how it changes things. If you want to cruise all year, when your friends can't go for whatever reason, you'll keep doing it and move on. Sorry you couldn't make it to canasta, maybe we'll see you next time. So and so's husband died at they left. The time you spend with people in person is always more meaningful that texting and social media. That's my point.
20 years sounds like a good run.
You gotta think beyond. If you've handled your own aging parents, think about your kids doing the same. The shared experiences you have with your generation will fade (but can be found anywhere, really) while your family remains. If sun city is real close to your kids, pursue it! If it's hours away, I'd throttle back, because their generation values you more than money.
AGC said:
You gotta think beyond. If you've handled your own aging parents, think about your kids doing the same. The shared experiences you have with your generation will fade (but can be found anywhere, really) while your family remains. If sun city is real close to your kids, pursue it! If it's hours away, I'd throttle back, because their generation values you more than money.
Going through that right now, and it isn't easy.
that said, I wouldn't begrudge my folks having an entire chapter in an active adult community, just because other decisions would have to be made later.
would all depend on the alternatives.
If my wife and I had 20yrs there, that would put us at 80. That's a pretty good run. I am a little concerned with resale value. The homes in these communities are mostly in the $230/sqft range. Will they retain that value, and sell fairly quickly in 20yrs? You've limited yourself to 55+ buyers, and these communities are popping up everywhere. Amenities that look nice now will be dated in 20yrs, unless HOAs keep up with inflation and improvements.
I personally think it's worth it for the next phase of our lives. Still doing research though.
I personally think it's worth it for the next phase of our lives. Still doing research though.
Lots of positives about Sun City and Georgetown. My spouse and I aren't 55+ but we still love this area north of Austin. Agree, very fast-growing area but far enough away from the round rock suburbia traffic light hellscape.
Maybe try one on for size? Woodland Cottages in CS are 55+ townhomes for rent. They're very nice, imo.
I think the concept is cool and I'm a fan of the idea at Millican but I can definitely see the value in the opinions of those who arent so sure of it.
I think the concept is cool and I'm a fan of the idea at Millican but I can definitely see the value in the opinions of those who arent so sure of it.
Yeah 20 years is a great run for that phase of life ...or any phase of life really. Many people don't get that.
I have a family member who lived in a Del Webb community after her spouse died and she loved it. Loved her neighbors, loved the amenities, made lots of friends. It was a great move for her as a widow.
When she passed away, the house sold quickly. Not sure if they made money or not, but it wasn't a challenge selling.
When she passed away, the house sold quickly. Not sure if they made money or not, but it wasn't a challenge selling.
Absolutely this. Life is temporary as it is. My 22 year old son closed on his first house 2 weeks ago today. By some of this logic should he not have since it's likely a 5-7 year proposition?
The best part of living in this type community is the like mindedness of your neighbors. My community is very activity oriented. You make friends interested in what interests you. I'm part of a group of 20 or so other old guys that play golf 4 days a week, go to Diamondbacks games and for the past 6 weeks have been going to Arizona Fall League baseball.
You can do as much or as little as you want to. I originally came out here to stay 6 months and see if it was for me. I knew in a couple of weeks it was and started planning to make it permanent.
This isn't for everyone that's for sure and I think most retirees know this is just another phase of life like any other.
The best part of living in this type community is the like mindedness of your neighbors. My community is very activity oriented. You make friends interested in what interests you. I'm part of a group of 20 or so other old guys that play golf 4 days a week, go to Diamondbacks games and for the past 6 weeks have been going to Arizona Fall League baseball.
You can do as much or as little as you want to. I originally came out here to stay 6 months and see if it was for me. I knew in a couple of weeks it was and started planning to make it permanent.
This isn't for everyone that's for sure and I think most retirees know this is just another phase of life like any other.
And if the OP is a golfer, Sun City in G'town has 2 nice golf courses.
One of my employees lives in Sun City. She loves it.
HudsonOaks
Joined:
Oct 9, 2024
Posts:
12
User Profile
Private Message
How long do you want to ignore this user?
Sponsor
If you decide to come to Aggieland, Hudson Oaks is a great option! We have a multi-story building and cottages. We offer several amenities such as a salon, game room, gym with group fitness classes, pickle ball courts, and much more! Our activity director has a great monthly calendar, too. We would love to have you come by for a visit. View our website, livehudsonoaks.com, for more!
mandevilleag said:
If my wife and I had 20yrs there, that would put us at 80. That's a pretty good run. I am a little concerned with resale value. The homes in these communities are mostly in the $230/sqft range. Will they retain that value, and sell fairly quickly in 20yrs? You've limited yourself to 55+ buyers, and these communities are popping up everywhere. Amenities that look nice now will be dated in 20yrs, unless HOAs keep up with inflation and improvements.
I personally think it's worth it for the next phase of our lives. Still doing research though.
So I mentioned that my mom lives in Sun City now. What I didn't mention is that my grandma moved there in the late nineties when it was less than 5000 people and had a twenty year run until she passed. It looks as good now as it did then.
There are lots of rules but it keeps the community looking relatively the same as people move in and out as they age. My sister lived there a summer and a cousin did as well. They just had to be approved.
You can find your people and your hobby if you don't have one. My grandma went all over the nation square dancing with the club there. My mom does tons of different art. She's real big into stained glass right now. They have a building for making stained glass. Yes, an entire building dedicated to stained glass.
I'm sure there are folks that don't like it but in my grandma and moms experience so far has been great
Hasn't Sun City been Californiacated?
My mom just built a house in one on the SW side of Fort Worth and really likes it. It's plenty of house for her to upkeep on her own and has an extra bedroom if her sister wants to come visit. The lock and leave was a huge selling point to her (and me) as well as being gated and a brand new home that will have minimal issues in the next 10 years. Also includes front & rear landscaping.
We live 12 minutes away in Benbrook.
My dad is 10 minutes away, still in the big house I grew up in and maintains that and a pool by himself. He refuses to move and is cheap so I'm afraid on day the neighbor will find him face down in the pool. I wish I could get him in the same community as my mom, albeit hopefully at opposite ends of the development.
All that to say i think they're great for what they are because it gives me peace of mind. And by the time my mom moves out I can move in
We live 12 minutes away in Benbrook.
My dad is 10 minutes away, still in the big house I grew up in and maintains that and a pool by himself. He refuses to move and is cheap so I'm afraid on day the neighbor will find him face down in the pool. I wish I could get him in the same community as my mom, albeit hopefully at opposite ends of the development.
All that to say i think they're great for what they are because it gives me peace of mind. And by the time my mom moves out I can move in
My parents have been in Sun City in Georgetown for 15 years and love it. Endless things to do. The only bad thing is theyve probably had 10 friends die as everyone is getting older.
I'm a resident of a 55+ community. Were these 10+ friends they made in the community or people they knew previously? As we get older we naturally lose more friends. If they're friends they made in the community that's friends that have added to their retirement years and probably friends they never would have had otherwise. At least that's how I see it.
Featured Stories
See All
27:35
3h ago
1.4k
35:22
1d ago
25k
12:41
4h ago
1.3k
Texas A&M's third straight ACC tests comes vs. SMU in Arlington
by Olin Buchanan