Why would they put a 55+ community there?!...

You may be aware of such communities - all residents must be at least fifty-five years old (absolutely no one under this magical age may reside there, regardless to how geriatric your body or mind might be). In these high-gated communities, golf carts are considered viable forms of transportation and often have their own paved lanes. My great-grandparents once lived in one (although, by appearance, it seemed more like a 75+ community; but, then again, I was a child). I remember visiting and wandering into the clubhouse, only to receive the stark glare of "stink eyes" from some elderly gentlemen.

Sandwiched in between four neighborhoods, all with pretentious signs and monuments marking their entrances, a builder is creating a 55+ community. This chosen location baffles me - all adjacent neighborhoods are full of children, it will be walking distance from the middle and high school, and less than 2 miles from the elementary school! I wouldn't think this to be ideal location for this type of community!

It isn't merely the location, but also the shopping. Closest stores will be flooded by people under the magical age of fifty-five and golf carts will be moving targets for newly licensed teenage drivers. Not only this, but the nearby shopping areas are void of hearing aid stores and beauty shops. (This is unlike every strip mall the further into Tampa that one drives - where every strip mall is equipped with both, as well as in-sole, chiropractic, and wheelchair stores…ok, joking on that last one, but you get the idea.)

So - why build here? Perhaps it is due to the taxes being slightly lower in this county, but there are pieces of land for sale closer to the hospital that also would work, farther removed from thousands of people who are younger than 55. Maybe it is the hopes that us, who have not reached this magical age, will gaze longingly beyond those high gates and say, "Honey, when we are fifty-five, let's sell the jeep and get a golf cart, live in there…" Um, doubt it.

Without finding the builder and posing the question directly, I doubt the truth behind the location will be known. As I sit on my pretentious lanai, the wind is whipping the curtains skyward and ominous clouds suggest I wrap up this questionable rant before the coming downpour! Happy Wednesday!

The age of the "stink-eye"