Is anyone aware of discussion or chat boards or something similar where the subject is active adult or retirement communitiy living? My wife & I are seriously considering moving to one of these, probably in FL, after I retire in mid-'05. I've reviewed reams of info that I requested from ads in Where to Retire magazine, & we recently spent a couple of days each at 3 communities (Spruce Creek CC, Royal Harbor & Plantation at Leesberg) in the Ocala/Leesberg area. While there we also briefly visited a number of other communities, most of which we ruled out for various reasons, a few because they were almost sold out.

We liked the 3 at which we stayed (although I think we prefer Pringle's Legacy to its Royal Harbor community). At Royal Harbor & Plantation they set us up with a couple (at Plantation different couples on consecutive nights) for dinner, so we could ask questions. This is helpful, but certainly not a sufficient sampling on which to base an opinion about living in this type of community.

We plan to check out several more communities in central FL next summer (need to see if the heat & humidity is really as bad as everyone says; we currently live in Minneapolis, where we do get some of that, but for a considerably shorter period of time). My wife's main concern seems to be finding a floor plan she likes. I'm particularly interested in cost, both construction & monthly fees, as well as amentities, such as the fitness center (somewhat disappointing in most of the communities we saw), community pool, tennis/pickle ball courts (Kathy, a twice a week tennis player, got quite a giggle out of playing pickle ball), etc. Inclusion of yard maintenance is not a requirement.

So, do any of you Fools know where I can get subjective info on this type of community living, or are any of you willing to opine? I think I know the answer to the last part of that question, so I'll stay tuned.

Bill