Are Your Neighbors Over 50? If Not, You Might Like It.

So I just realized that my neighbors are all over 50.  AND I LIKE IT!!  How did I come about this thought?

Well, today I was talking with a friend of mine from back home in Lincoln, Nebraska.  She asked how me and the hubby were adjusting to our new home in Tennessee.  Well, that was a loaded question. Since moving here we have had so many things go wrong that I was feeling fairly unappreciative of my situation.  Of course we blame all of our bad luck on moving “down south”.  But then I thought about it.

We moved here because of the weather…it’s beautiful here.  But we also moved here because of the low cost of living.  Very low.  We bought a beautiful older home that we would never have been able to afford in Nebraska.

So I told her something like this…

“You know…I love it here.  I’m sitting here on my deck in the back yard.  Our yard looks like a forest…we have tons of trees and greenery.  The fragrant smells are fantastic!  I smell honeysuckle, violets, peonies and white gardenias.  I hear nothing but birds singing and the sound of my big church bell wind chimes.  Luther (our pup) is running in the backyard trying to catch bees (not too smart, but he’s a pup).  And hubby’s out fishing.”

“Our neighborhood is so quiet, but we’re only minutes from all kinds of activities and shopping and the expressway is literally a 4 minute drive.”

That’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks!  BOOM!

It’s really quiet here.  Super quiet.  Then I realized all of our immediate neighbors are definitely over 40 and most of them over 50 and upwards of 60 and beyond.  We’re surrounded by retired business folks, blue and white collar managers, and retired military.  A ton of military.  Yes, we have kids in the neighborhood – but they are a few blocks over and around the corner.

Our entire block is comprised of mostly older homes.  Mostly built in the 70’s through mid 80’s.  Here come the bricks folks…I hadn’t realized something.  There were:

• No loud neighbors
• No couples arguing out on their front lawn
• No loud cars and no loud, obnoxious booming music
• No squealing tires
• No trains, emergency sirens, and no lurking police cars
• NO DRAMA

I hadn’t realized those things until I was on the phone talking to my friend.  Perspective is a funny thing and will get you thinking.  Don’t get me wrong; I love the excitement of activity, I just can’t stand drama.

Retirement Community Housing?  SIGH.

Then the words Retirement Community popped into my mind.  What the…?  YIKES.  Now, I’m not saying I want the peace and quiet of a retirement community, but I can definitely understand the appeal.  I could never see myself in retirement community housing, because I don’t consider myself old.  But I ain’t gonna lie, people.  The peace and quiet is SO NICE.

Us baby boomer’s are a whole different bred of “old folk” than our parents (Read my fun little article here) .  I sure hope these land developer’s building these “communities” are thinking of new concepts and better marketing to get us in.  We do not want to live someplace called “senior care housing”, or “adult-living nursing home complex”, or worse yet…a “rest home” or “OLD FOLKS HOME!”

And as I pondered all of this today, I realized that I would probably love a retirement-style community as long as it didn’t feel stuffy and stereotypical.    If I ever get to a point where I can’t stay in my current home, or I just want to down-size, then I want to live some place fun, with a great vibe and good people.  Don’t we all?

I don’t want to think about a concept where my choice is to play cards all day or play shuffleboard and drink weak tea (yes I’m stereotyping…can’t help myself.  And besides, I love strong tea).  Why not be creative with community lifestyle living…make it something fun and quirky.  I would like that.  Maybe something artsy-fartsy with a bohemian feel.  Oh!  I know!  Themed living communities…that would be different!  How about a retreat for actors, musicians, artists and writers?  If it were me…I’d want to live in a large, funky artist studio instead of a “bungalow”.  I want a little land with it and trees for inspired living.  I want somewhere that has land and home maintenance service too.  I want a medical center and hospital close by.  And I want a community garden where everyone pitches in to grow stuff.  Yes!  I WANT IT ALL.

 

I can dream, can’t I?  Those of you who know me…know this is how I would live in a retirement community.  🙂

I’ve read about these so-called blended communities too.  It’s a decent concept.  Sort of.  I read where someone called them baby stroller to walker communities.  That’s cool enough I guess, but to me it sounds like a regular neighborhood with a bigger price tag.  But if you think about it, it could work if sectioned out properly.  More and more middle-aged adult kiddos are taking care of their older parents right now.  With this type of community, the adult kiddos could live close by without having to actually move in with mom and dad.  That’s a win.  If you’re already taking care of an elder parent, check out this book by Jacqueline Marcell…what a humorous read about tough situations.

Anyway, as usual I ramble.  It’s what I do best.

I thank my friend for calling me today and helping me to realize the good life around me.  It still amazes me that it’s so easy to get wrapped up in all the BS that we forget to be blessed and grateful for what we have.  That little conversation today made me think about my current situation and also to consider my future.  What fun to dream of the perfect retirement community.

Until then, I will continue to love where I live.  Love the quiet and mature atmosphere and vibe of my neighbors.  And mostly, I will continue to live grateful.

Until next time…