If you are hesitant, go with your gut, but if it is the fear of the unknown research the area, spend time in the neighborhood and visit the property as much as you can. If it still doesn't feel right, pass. Other things to think about how close is your doctor's office or ER? Is the grocery store a good fit for you? How often will your grandchildren visit? Would your children and grandchildren still be close enough to visit?

......and "clique-ish". If they have a Corvette owners club, I'd pass.

It is pretty bougie which is spooky but It’s not like I don’t like a teeny bit bougie. 🤣

What threw me is that I like it. It is SO not me. I’m a nature lover and artsy type. It’s a huge development with lots of nature nearby but admittedly small yards. Very near the town we originally lived in when we moved here, which I’ve always liked. It’s a strange concept for sure.

I've been here about two months and I'm very glad I made this move. There are lots of things going on here, outings of various kinds, book clubs, conversation groups. In an hour or so I'll meet up with a couple of others to work on another unsolved murder, and that's more fun than it sounds.

I have friends here, but no family within 800 miles, and my only son lives on the east coast. So this is the right thing for me.

My monthly cost includes two meals a day, the various excursions -- unless plans are made to go to something like a concert that costs -- and so on.

I left small, single family home with small front and back yard, and I'm happy to leave the maintenance behind.

Because I live in a small city, Santa Fe, NM, the distance to various providers simply isn't an issue here. Nothing is more than 15 minutes away.

arthritis. Same with the gym there depending on the exercise equipment - some tips on what's helpful for arthritis here

https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/physical-activity/other-activities/best-exercise-equipment-for-arthritis

- and with their spa.

And time every day when the grands could swim. Even occasional kids’ swim lessons.

I live in a senior apartment complex in SF. No stairs involved, elevators. Lots of services, gardens, food pantry's available, etc.
Not cheap though. Having said that, I've been here for five years, and I love it!

Been here for seven years. Our house was built in 1963. It's been well maintained. HOA rules tend to keep things that way. There are seven or eight golf courses-- we don't play, so I'm not certain about the count. There are seven recreation centers with pools, gyms, clubs, etc. We moved here for several reasons. My mother lived nearby during the last years of her life. I have bunches of hobbies, many of which have clubs devoted to them, so that was a draw, although I've since discovered that I prefer doing my hobbies alone, lol. Healthcare options are WAY better here than they were on the North Coast of California. There are also several assisted living options as well as condos, duplexes, single family homes, etc.

Hot dry weather, flat roads, six golf courses, seven rec centers with multiple pools and gyms. Surrounded by people your own age, live rock and roll weekly, sock hops,
And, no fleas, ticks or heartworms for your furry friends.

First the Villages! Lasted six months. Too much rah, rah and incessant activities. And the obvious MAGA vibe. The other one was better. Activities but no pressure to join. HOA costs are a consideration. They can increase rapidly depending on amenities offered. Visit several, check out the vibes and go with the one you feel is you.

but we are financially sound. No surprises when the bills come. My only gripe is the traffic to get in and out is a bear. Then again I don't know where I would go if I decided to leave...I like the weather here..
I don't know about on the West Coast America but condo/villa prices are dropping around here.
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in a new community of 93 houses that was being built in Durham, NC in 2020. Advertised as a 55+ community, but discovered while my house was being built the builder had dropped the 55+ restriction. So, there are a few owners under 55, but not many. The builder is finishing a second phase of 68 homes.
It has turned out to be a very social and cosmopolitan group of people. It's the most diverse neighborhood where I've ever lived.
I don't participate in the social activities. There are lots of them.
I also have arthritis --three joint replacements -- and appreciate my single level house.
There are several well known continuing care communities in and around the Chapel Hill area, but that concept didn't appeal to me. They can be very costly and several have wait lists of many years.
Be sure to check the HOA restrictions in the CC&Rs of any community. I haven't had an issue with getting approval for landscaping that I wanted to do, except for running into a big no on putting in street trees. Turns out individual homeowners don't own the space between the sidewalk and street in front of our homes! But we are also still waiting for the control of the HOA Board to be turned over to us from the developer, once he's completed the sales of the houses in the new phase, which is finally expected this spring. I moved in 1/6/21 and have been pleased with my house and the community of neighbors.

Did you know I lived in Durham for about 8 years in the late 70s-early 80s? I loved that place. I worked at Duke for a while then ran the wildlife rehab program at the Museum of Life and Science. Boy has that place grown!

I really do want to carefully study the HOA restrictions and fees. I do think I’d do much more with so much nearby.

We--husband and two school age sons--moved to Chapel Hill in 2000. I was living alone in a high rise downtown Raleigh apartment building in 2020 when Covid hit and immediately killed that lifestyle of walking everywhere and having season tickets for the symphony and ballet. No yardwork or maintenance. If it hadn't been for Covid I would probably have eventually bought a condo in a well established near by high rise building and stayed downtown because I loved the lifestyle.
It was because of Covid I bought this house and it's primarily because of Covid that I don't participate in many of the social activities here. Someone still always seems to have it and folks gather unmasked in the clubhouse for activities. Quite a few of my neighbors work at Duke or are retired University professors or medical professionals.
I'm glad I bought when I did, because I rode the wave of price appreciation from Covid. This area of southwest Durham is growing like crazy. You wouldn't recognize Chapel Hill: lots of multi story apartments being built and single family housing prices are crazy. I would much rather have bought a sfh without an HOA in Chapel Hill, but couldn't find one that I liked that I could afford! So I settled for this. Our HOA dues have gone up by $20./ mo for the first time this year to $220./mo. Property taxes have gone up about $150/ year every year. Durham County will reassess valuations this year and I won't be surprised to see my valuation go up $150K. I just hope they reduce the tax rates to offset the appreciation!

range of the somewhat horrific Sun City development near Phx - huge and kind of frightening - to a small apartment complex in the nearby small town. we moved an old family friend down to this little place - it had great apartments, really liked that place. my sister and I were both feeling like hey I want to move in!