The Single Woman's Guide to Retirement by Jan Cullinane

Author:Jan Cullinane
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wiley
Published: 2012-08-30T04:00:00+00:00

Living with a Twist

These days, there’s a place for everyone. Here are examples of locations and lifestyles that are unique or special in some respect, sites that you might seek out if you have a specific background or interest:

A Community of the Faithful. Ave Maria (www.avemaria.com) is a developing new urbanism/master-planned/highly walkable community 45 miles west of Naples, Florida, that has its own Catholic college built by Tom Monaghan of Domino’s Pizza fame; an imposing church that is centered in the square; a variety of housing styles, including a Del Webb active community with homes starting in the mid-$100,000s; and everything is brand-spanking new. Its Web site says all faiths are welcome—amen to that.

Serving Others. Pilgrim Place (www.pilgrimplace.org) is an intentional community of about 320 residents in Claremont, California. The mission of Pilgrim Place is to “provide quality housing and services for persons who have served in careers in religious, charitable, and non-profit humanitarian organizations.” Residents include Christians, Jews, and Buddhists.

Homesharing. We mentioned homeshoring or working from home in a previous chapter, but more than a half-million single women are homesharing: finding roommates to save money, to have company, and to pool resources. About 40 percent of women in an AARP survey said they would consider having a nonromantic roommate. Kate and Allie, anyone? Can there be challenges in working things out? You bet your sweet bippy (remember that phrase from Laugh-In?), but it could be a viable choice if you find the right match, kind of like getting a great college roommate. Of course you can check Craigslist and ask friends and neighbors, or you can access the National Shared Housing Resource Center (www.nationalsharedhousing.org) or www.homeshareprogram.org (unique to Pinellas County, Florida). Or be like Shirley and her sister, Doreen. After both of their spouses died, they decided to be roommates and have lived contentedly for the last five years. Jill D. and Colleen F. are friends from high school; after Jill’s spouse died and Colleen and her husband split, the two moved into a two-bedroom apartment to share expenses. Two can live more cheaply than one.

Lesbian/Gay Communities. An estimated 2 million to 6 million lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender men and women (LGBT) in the United States are between the ages of 50 and 64, and an additional 1 to 3 million are over the age of 65. The idea of communities where gays and lesbians feel welcome and have social support and services as they age are the driving forces behind these communities. A new LGBT community for older adults, providing independent living and continuing care services, is Fountain Grove Lodge (www.fountaingrovelodge.com).

An all-women community that bills itself as “Southwest Florida’s premier lesbian destination” and is thriving is the Resort on Carefree Boulevard (www.resortoncb.com) in Fort Myers, Florida. Manufactured homes are available for under $200,000, and residents range in age from the early 40s to the mid-80s on this community’s 50 acres.

Kathy H. moved to Carefree in 2003, “lured by the idea of living in a community of women. We are a gated community, which provides privacy and some sense of security.

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