The Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch area is known for many things, such as being a thriving hub for the arts, a lovely beach town, and a prominent retirement community in Florida. A large percentage of my clients are moving to Florida for the first time from up North. They aim to escape freezing cold winters and enjoy their retirement in the sun… and who can blame them? I visit my parents every winter for about two weeks and let me tell you, that is more than enough cold to last me the whole year. One of the first questions I ask my older clients is whether they are looking to move into a 55+ neighborhood.
Surprisingly, or at the very least surprising to me, many initially completely reject this notion. My own mother-in-law, who now has happily lived in a 55+ neighborhood for six years, was dead set against the idea initially herself as well. There are many misconceptions about what these neighborhoods really are, and I am here to correct any falsehoods. My mother-in-law is beyond grateful to live where she does, so much so she felt a passion to join the executive board for her neighborhood.
Above all else, I cannot stress the sense of community that is borne from living in a 55+ neighborhood. Let’s face it – it can be daunting to move to a new place and have to make new friends. My husband worried for his mom’s adjustment to a completely new part of the country, where she knew no one but her family.
My mother-in-law swears she has never felt so welcomed by a group of people with open arms. Even during a global pandemic, her neighborhood holds socially distanced community events. Being on the executive board, she makes it her mission to ensure every new resident knows at least one, if not several, friendly faces. My mother-in-law could not be happier, which in turn could not make our family feel anything but joy. Moreover, please, at least consider living in a 55+ neighborhood. I promise, you will only be pleased with what you find.