Pros and Cons of 55+ Communities in Riverside County
Chances are, if you’ve been searching for mid-priced homes in Riverside County, you’ve come across beautiful homes that happened to be located within a senior community. There are over 30 senior communities in the Inland Empire area. Especially in South Riverside County, there are tons of beautiful 55+ communities. In this blog, I will go over the pros and cons of living in these communities and what types of rules and amenities they provide.
Age Requirements
First and foremost, you do, of course, need to qualify and be at least 55 years old or older to purchase a home within these communities. Because they have age limits, your kids will usually need you to be there when they want to use the facilities or amenities.
Also, the California Unruh Civil Rights Act says that anyone under the age of 55, including disabled people, can’t move into a 55+ property on their own. They have to live with a “qualified senior.” If you are planning to have a secondary residence, they will need to be: over 45; a spouse or cohabitant; a person who provides primary economic or physical support for the senior; or a disabled child or grandchild who needs to live with the qualified senior due to their disability.
PROS
Since there are age requirements and regulations on who can live within the community, these areas tend to be very quiet and safe. Families and children are not able to be permanent residents, which makes these neighborhoods very quiet and peaceful. Of course, people may have family over from time to time, but normally it is a very calm atmosphere. This is also great for people who like to be active in the community and would like to make friends with their neighbors.
These communities often have events, clubs, and groups to make it easy to build friendships with the other residents.
CONS
You can have family and friends who are under the age limit, but these communities usually follow their rules and regulations very strictly. If a younger family member or child needs to move in with you, for whatever reason, it will typically not be allowed unless they are disabled.
This is something to think about if you do have children and grandchildren and would like the opportunity to house them if needed. Younger visitors also will not be permitted to use the facilities (gym, library, clubhouse, etc.) without you present. If you are closer to 55 or 60 years old, you may find that you’re surrounded by neighbors that are 20 or more years older than you. It’s almost impossible to know what the average age of the people in a community is, but it should still be taken into account.
Amenities
One of the best parts of living in a 55+ community is the various amenities that they offer their residents. Some of these communities have facilities such as a pool, tennis courts, library, clubhouse, fitness center, barbecue areas, and many other features. It is very important to know what types of amenities the community offers because you will have access to these facilities with your HOA dues.
PROS
These communities appeal to a lot of people due to the fact that they will have access to certain luxuries without having to maintain or think about them. For example, having your own pool can take a lot of time and cost a lot of money, so being able to use one without having to take care of it is very convenient. Many communities also offer clubs, groups, and classes such as aerobics, poker, or even karaoke. This is especially great for those who are retired or single and looking to have an active social life with others around the same age.
CONS
HOA fees are a common occurrence within 55+ communities in the Riverside County area. While these HOA fees do afford you access to the amenities and special features of the community, they can get expensive. Because of this, it’s important to make sure you can see yourself using the facilities. If you can’t, you’ll be paying to keep up facilities you don’t need. Along with the homeowners association and fees, they will typically have some regulations regarding landscaping and home exterior designs, so any changes you may want to make will be subject to HOA approval. If you are purchasing a home that you would like to renovate or change, this is something to keep in mind.
Community Atmosphere
Because some of these communities are comprised of mostly retired people who have lived there for many years, there is more of a sense of community. Neighbors tend to get to know each other and see each other on a more regular basis than normal. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
PROS
Having a sense of community and belonging can be a wonderful thing and provide you with a great feeling of security. It makes it very easy to establish friendships and find like-minded people to spend time with. In certain communities, like “The Colony” in Murrieta, there are groups and clubs that meet regularly, so establishing relationships is very easy. People also tend to look out for each other and help one another more when they feel they belong to the community.
CONS
Sometimes, in smaller communities, there are cliques and very few secrets. Living in one can be similar to the feeling of living in a small town. Everyone tends to know everyone’s business, and if something happens, word travels fast! This may not be a problem for most people, but it could be a deterrent if you identify as a more private person.
Home Prices
The median home price in Riverside County for a house in a 55+ community is currently about $325,000. This is quite a bit lower than the average home price for the market as a whole in Riverside. The median home price for all single-family homes in Riverside County was $480,000 as of December 2020. From what I have seen recently, the homes for sale within these senior communities are very nice and will give you a lot more “bang for your buck.” This lowered price makes it a great option if you think you would enjoy the atmosphere and amenities offered within these 55+ communities.
If you’re not sure if you should consider moving into a 55+ community, I suggest making some appointments to tour a few different ones and see what they’re really like. There are tons of different amenities and styles to choose from, so it’s important to see what’s out there before making a decision. Your real estate agent can help you find communities that fit your style and offer amenities you will use. Some of my favorites are Sun City Civic Association, Casa Blanca Villas, Palmilla on the Greens, and The Colony.
Thank you for reading my blog. I hope you found this information helpful. I am a licensed real estate agent who focuses on the Temecula Valley and the areas around it. If you have any questions regarding the Temecula housing market or real estate in general, please contact me.
My direct number is 9518979466
