More on retirement community ideas

[DianaCox]

Charles and I just spent 9 days at one RV park in Paso Robles, and I got to thinking - further to some earlier discussions about retirement communities with small houses and large shared community amenities like year round heated pool, sauna, exercise equipment, kitchen facilities, etc., that a bunch of like-minded folks might want to consider buying an RV park and making it home. It could be a small park and be solely our community, or even a larger one which also operates as a business, generating some income. Everyone could have their own home of their own choosing (mobile RV, trailer, tiny home) while having access to more spacious community amenities.

You could live with a select community of like minded people; if you decide you don't like it, it would not be difficult to leave. Guest quarters would be easy to arrange - used trailers are very inexpensive.

At the moment, this sounds SO appealing to me.

 

[bearmom]

Seriously. Finding like minded people would be the tricky part, especially if there are some like me who swing wildly between wanting luxuries, or keeping it simple.

A few years ago I started a list of things what would be nice to find, or create if necessary when looking at places for my mom. Then I turned 50, and started wondering how many years till I not only want to pare things back and simplify my own life, and leave open opportunities to bring in assistance as needed.

 

[bearmom]

Oh, and this site has some links that might be worth perusing Village to Village Network. They have a very basic village 101 toolkit that looks useful.

One of my issues is hubby is still in his 30's, and a burnedout CIO considering leaving the tech arena. Too young to be allowed in most of these communities (unless just I can meet age criteria) or we start our own where age is not a factor. Being burnt out in his current field, I can't help but repeat that senior services is a fast growing area of need that may actually have more job security than tech.

Now if you can just get this ball rolling sooner and create an option with a kick ass chefs kitchen and above average bathrooms, you will save me the trouble.

 

[DianaCox]

I see an opportunity for pooling resources for expensive luxuries, including on-site health care (LVN, trained personal assistants that are shared), and I don't see that there needs to be hard and fast age restrictions (though I'd rather it be adults only, or have an adults only section).

In RV campgrounds, you have the choice of using your rig's bathroom accommodations, or going to the shared bathrooms, some of which are quite nice. I prefer to poop in the rig, but shower in their bathroom (I can get a full hot shower, on their nickel for heating the water).

Maybe your hubby can help take are of ALL of us ....

 

[Whit]

We are headed south to the Palm Springs Area, closer to the Grand kids, in a couple of years. During the summer heat we will be headed out on the road or locations yet to be determined.

Healthcare is coved and we plan to live frugally. I am just so darn tiered of working my ass off.

 

[DianaCox]

Just curious - what do you mean by "healthcare is covered"? We all will have Medicare - do you mean something different?

 

[Whit]

Retired military. There will be costs but not as much as some.

 

[DianaCox]

Oh, I see. I guess that's better than Medicare, but I don't know how (I'm terrifyingly ignorant of what I need to know as retirement age gallops towards me - and Charles, who will turn 64 in a few months).

 

[southernlady]

Oh, I see. I guess that's better than Medicare, but I don't know how (I'm terrifyingly ignorant of what I need to know as retirement age gallops towards me - and Charles, who will turn 64 in a few months).

Medicare isn't terrible but for just straight medicare, you need to be prepared to pay the 20% NOT covered. May need to find new doctors as not all doctors accept Medicare as opting out happens all the time. WILL need a separate Dental and Vision coverage. Will pay extra for prescription coverage.

Then there is the navigating each year of what has changed. Deciding if you want to do a combined plan (Medicare Advantage) or go with a Medicare Supplement and if a supplement, which one?

Then there is the added confusion of one spouse on Medicare while still covered on the others policy. And which one is the primary and which is secondary. Add that to the NO such thing as a family plan on Medicare. Each person has their own policy.

 

[Munchkin]

Interesting concept for the younger, more active retiree.

 

[kirmy]

**** not having universal health care. The fact that this has to be considered to pursue your dreams make me sad and furious in equal measures.