Continuing Care Retirement communities, senior residences - - what do you think?

[Peregrine Took]

We are in our early 80's - active (still jog everyday), -have a big city condo, (1800 sq ft) to care for. Most people our age that we know have sold off their home and have moved to assisted living or a full CCRC (above.)

I used to take comfort in that we were still so independent but as I get older now I'm a little jealous of those who just go down to the dining room for their meals, have housekeeping service, bus transportation outside the door, have a nurse on the premises, movies and group activities etc.

Frankly, there are other things we'd like to fill up our remaining time other than shopping, cleaning, cooking, dish doing, and all such as time to read, do outdoor exercise, painting, writing, etc and meeting people. Yes, we are grateful we are able to do all that stuff, but, on the other hand, we are pretty isolated in our walk up building with its other owners 50 years younger than us and would like to meet new people and make new friends which isn't easy at our age where our old friends have moved or died.

In terms of money we have our SS and pensions and some stock but no way could we afford most CCRC's where you plop down half a million for 2 (or more) just to buy in plus my friend who how lives in one says there are 1000 names on the waiting list. She loves the security of her CCRC in that no matter what happens to her or her husband they will always have a place that will take care of them. That is security that I wish we had.

What are other active, early 80's people on DU doing in terms of living arrangements? Just curious.

Thanks very much.