Seniors Gone Wild

I guess there comes a time in life when one has to decide whether they want to change their lifestyle and whether they want to move to a place that's better suited to their needs and age. Whether a person downsizes to a smaller place to live or moves to that retirement mecca they've read about, many people age fifty-five and older often relocate in their "remaining" years.

There's people making huge money on retirement communities. The gated "over 55" communities are prospering and they don't seem to lack for tenants. While the highly organized and meticulously planned retirement resorts work for some Seniors, other people resolve to stay independent and just stay in a house in a regular neighborhood and hope that will work for as long as possible.

In light of these retirement choices, writer Joel Stein has an article in the latest "Time" magazine entitled, "I Hope I Die Before I Have to Live With Old People". His premise is that within the "retirement communities" that are out there, the "greatest generation" crowd is not always getting along with the new "baby boomers" who are now in their retirement years. So all is not well in Sun City, or wherever these people are landing. The older generation (basically pre-WWII) has embraced a culture that includes bingo, shuffleboard, golf, playing cards and board games, discussion groups, arts and crafts classes, etc. The Baby Boomers (mostly under 65 years of age) find many of those pursuits too passive.

Since the Baby Boomers have moved in to retirement communities more complaints are being registered about music being blasted, pot smoking and amorous public displays of affection. In other words...the same things that annoyed parents in the 1960's is still a problem when their kids are in their 60's. It's not how things are supposed to work in a retirement community; at least, not to some. It's causing friction.

But obviously, the dynamics of these places are changing. The transition may be difficult for some. Baby Boomers will probably never be satisfied with things like a bus ride to the local arboretum when renting a party bus and going to Vegas sounds better. Baby Boomers may pass on booking that 1940's big band group and replace them with a Beatles or Led Zeppelin cover band at their next "social".

 A few years ago, when I was in my late 50's I visited some of these retirement communities. I wasn't sure if they would work for me or not. As it turned out, I want more independence and less socialization than what is promoted at these "senior resorts". Admittedly, some of these places are beautiful and have superb amenities. But, for me, when you get right down to it and look at how close each house is to the next one (senior tenement) and how predictable life there can be, it just seemed to me that I'd be better off in a different environment.

I know that there are people who move to these communities just to get away from  being around kids. I live on a block with quite a few kids and it's not a problem for me. Yes, they are noisy at times, but I have no problem with that (as long as it doesn't go into the late night hours!). I like being around families and working Moms and Dads. The environment just feels more real and not as insulated as a retirement community.

Ironically, I'd fit in just fine at a retirement community with the "greatest generation crowd" because I don't blast music and play golden oldies from the 60's and 70's. My musical tastes are more Jazz, Sinatra, vocals and instrumental. I don't smoke pot, own a motorcycle with a loud muffler or like parties, so the old people at these places would probably love me. But then I'd soon be wearing track suits, running people over with my golf cart, trying to color what hair i have left and get far too excited about weekly Bingo games.

I think I'm better off in a regular neighborhood for now. Like Joel Stein, I'm not quite ready yet to deal with a large group of elderly people on a daily basis just yet! Moving to a retirement community can be like high school with Geritol and irritable bowels. Besides, I won't be elderly for at least twenty years!