by Ben Keal on February 7, 2025
Purchasing a home in an active adult community is a large investment that requires you to make major decisions about what type of community and house you want to live in and how much you can afford to spend on a retirement lifestyle. With so many fifty-five-and-older communities to choose from, you can easily be overwhelmed by the choices.
Making a well-informed decision requires gathering information about the communities available, especially from people who’ve already purchased homes and are living in these neighborhoods. You can learn a lot about a community by talking to the people who live there or reading resident reviews and testimonials.
Reviewing testimonials for these communities will help you learn about their culture, services offered, quality of life, and other aspects of living there before purchasing a home.
Why You Should Read Testimonials
Whether you are looking for a retirement home in an age-restricted community or are doing so on behalf of a friend or family member, you should review as many testimonials as possible from people who already own homes in the community. Here are reasons why this is necessary:
Learning From Others’ Experiences
Genuine testimonials provided by residents who have gone through the process of leaving a family home and resettling in a fifty-five-and-older community will give you first-hand insight into what to expect. They’ll tell you what buying a house and living in the neighborhood feels like.
Their comments may include information about their daily experiences, likes and dislikes, social activities, access to amenities, and general feelings about the community and surrounding area. These testimonials can also help answer any concerns about the climate and overall safety in the community.
Understanding Community Traditions
Don’t just buy a home and move in without understanding the community's culture. This will likely affect your transition, satisfaction with the move, and relationship with your new neighbors.
Reading community testimonials will give you an idea about the people you should expect to meet, how to relate with them, and existing traditions and beliefs. They’ll help you understand how the community nurtures independence and inclusivity.
Learn About the Quality of Living
Age-restricted communities bring people of a specific age bracket together to mingle, build relationships, and support each other. These communities also offer shared amenities and services that appeal to older adults, such as health and fitness centers, swimming pools, and property maintenance.
Communal amenities and services help reduce the cost of living in communities and improve the quality of life for all residents. A quick review of community testimonials will show whether the facilities are easily accessible and well-maintained.
See the Types of Homes Available
It’s important to evaluate the available housing options in the community you wish to live in to know if the homes meet your expectations. Of course, looking at the photos displayed online won’t give you a full understanding of the kind of living available.
Reviewing community endorsements will help you determine if you’re likely to find a senior-friendly housing design in the community that works for you. You’ll be able to determine if the neighborhood’s living options align with your lifestyle objectives and preferences.
Uncover Any Hidden Surprises Beforehand
Some private communities have additional charges that may not be included in the initial cost of their homes. You can avoid these surprises by reviewing community testimonials before purchasing the house.
In Summary
A thorough review of fifty-five-and-older community testimonials can help guide you in making informed decisions about your next living arrangement. Visit the Private Communities portal to find the communities that grab your attention the most. Testimonials will be an important element in deciding when and where to move in your next phase of life!
Looking for a timing strategy for a retirement home purchase? We’ve got your back–check out our latest post.
About the Author
Since 2012, Ben Keal has led PCR solidifying PrivateCommunities.com as a top source in helping prospective buyers find their ideal lifestyle community. With decades of experience in both sales and real estate, he has built lasting relationships with the country's top developers, homebuilders, country clubs, and real estate agents. A licensed real estate broker, Ben also serves as the Managing Broker for Private Communities Realty, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Private Communities Registry, LLC)—further ensuring PCR's mission to uphold the company's reputation as a responsible and trusted broker for real estate shoppers interested in amenity-rich, master-planned lifestyle communities.
