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The Pros and Cons of Living with Other Retirees

I had a “get to know you” call with a financial advisor and author. The focus was on the behavioral aspects of clients once they head into Retirement. Trading case examples back and forth, Brady paused and very directly stated, “I don’t like retirement communities. They limit the rest of society from having access to knowledge and experience of older people.”

That made me a little defensive, because I live in a 55+ community.

This article first appeared in Rethinking65.

Our move to Florida was heavily influenced to care for our Aging mothers. We started living with my mother-in-law. We shifted to our own place within the same subdivision when she transitioned into independent living. We felt this was the best way to be around those with shared experiences and interests and still be close to Family.

My wife and I are not alone. Research from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies indicates that almost 40% of retirees move right before or when they retire. Up to 64% of retirees will move at least once during their retirement.

That trend raises an important question for financial advisors: Is living among other retirees a benefit or a blind spot? Let’s explore the pros and cons.

The Upside of Retirement Communities

Built-In Social Structure

One of the strongest advantages of retirement communities is immediate access to social connection. Neighbors are often home during the day, community calendars are full, and shared amenities encourage interaction. For clients leaving behind workplace Relationships, this can help counter the sudden loss of daily social contact that often accompanies retirement.

Predictable Lifestyle Costs

From a planning standpoint, retirement communities can offer cost Clarity. HOA fees may appear high, but they often bundle maintenance, landscaping, amenities and sometimes transportation. For advisors, this predictability can simplify cash-flow modeling and reduce the likelihood of surprise home-related expenses later in life.

Health, Safety, and Accessibility

Many age-restricted communities are designed with mobility, wellness and safety in mind. Walking paths, fitness programs and proximity to healthcare providers can support Longevity and quality of life. Clients may also experience peace of mind knowing they are in an environment designed for aging well.

Shared Life Experience

There is comfort in being around people who “get it.” Retirement communities often foster deeper conversations around purpose, loss, Health transitions and reinvention — topics that may feel harder to navigate with younger neighbors still immersed in careers.

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The Unanticipated Considerations

Social Narrowing

Brady’s comment, while provocative, touches on a real concern. Living exclusively among retirees can unintentionally shrink a client’s social world. Intergenerational interaction declines, exposure to new ideas narrows, and daily life can begin to feel repetitive. Advisors should be alert to clients whose social lives become too homogenous.

Lifestyle Drift and Spending Creep

Communities filled with leisure activities, dining events and Travel groups can subtly encourage higher discretionary spending. What begins as “included amenities” can evolve into frequent optional costs. Without intentional guardrails, clients may spend more simply because everyone around them is doing the same.

Identity Reinforcement

For clients who already struggle with post-career identity, retirement communities can sometimes reinforce a singular identity: retired. When everyone around you shares the same life chapter, it can be harder to redefine purpose beyond leisure or Volunteering within the community itself.

Emotional Contagion

Just as positivity spreads, so can decline. Health issues, loss of spouses and reduced independence are more visible in concentrated retirement settings. Some clients find this grounding; others find it emotionally heavy and Anxiety-producing.

The Advisor’s Assistance

The decision to move into a retirement community isn’t right or wrong — it’s contextual. Advisors add value not by endorsing or rejecting the choice, but by helping clients think beyond the brochure.

A few practical considerations to introduce:

• Time-Use Conversations: How will daily and weekly routines actually be filled? Is the client choosing activities intentionally — or defaulting to what’s available?
• Social Diversification: Encourage clients to maintain relationships outside the community — faith groups, mentoring, volunteer roles or family rhythms that preserve intergenerational contact.
• Portfolio Stress-Testing: Model best- and worst-case scenarios that include rising HOA fees, special assessments, or relocation later in life.
• Purpose Beyond Proximity: Ask, “If you moved again in five years, what would still give your life meaning?” The answer reveals whether purpose is location-dependent or values-driven.

The Future Path

Brady’s comment has stuck with me, and we have reflected a lot about what is the best future for me and my wife. Our 55+ community limits interaction with other age groups and that has not gone unnoticed by us. Encouraged by our children, our path will probably lead us to move closer to them. We’re evaluating structure and everyday life.

And we are not making this decision in isolation. We spent a lot of time discussing this with our advisors during our last review. having them run a variety of models reflecting location and living expenses.

Advisors who help clients evaluate both the Lifestyle and financial implications of living among other retirees position themselves as guides for the whole retirement journey, not just the portfolio that supports it.

David Buck is the author of the book The Time-Optimized Life, coauthor of The Retirement Collective, and owner of Kairos (Time) Management Solutions, LLC. Learn how to apply the concepts of proactively planning and using your time. Take the Time Management Analysis (TMA), the Retirement Time Analysis (RTA) to help bring more quality time into your life.

AI assistance was used in the formulation of this article.

The post The Pros and Cons of Living with Other Retirees first appeared on Infinity Lifestyle Design.

David Buck Time Strategist

In 35+ years of business development, David developed a strong awareness of what it took for people to be productive and efficient, not just busy. He also personally sought to gain a balance of having a successful career along with the ability to pursue a meaningful personal life.

That led David to start Kairos Management Solutions, focusing all his attention to guide business professionals who struggle with a lack of flexibility in their life to gain more quality personal time. David helps others craft a strategy around their current management of time, and then define a lifestyle of intention, ease, and joy.

In 2024, David released two books, the first being The Time Optimized Life. The book reframes the reactive nature of time management and replaces it with a proactive method of time optimization. In addition, he co-authored The Retirement Collective, where he highlights and provides solutions for how to maximize the use of time for people in post-career life.