maybe a dumb question

I just do all the things that make look older than I am. I drive around the park and town with turn signal on all the time, I don't color my premature grey hair and I have my pants hiked up to nearly my armpits.

Also sitting in a lawn chair all day long watching the comings and goings of people cements the deal. :)

Taxman2004 wrote:
It is against the law to discriminate on age.

I believe that the O.P.'s scenario is the exception to that rule.

According to this link, housing for senior citizens may exclude families with children as well as anyone else that doesn't meet the age criteria. "Housing for senior citizens" is there defined as housing that is occupied only by persons who are at least age 62, or housing that is operated for occupancy by persons who are at least age 55 and that meets other occupancy, policy and reporting requirements stated in the law.

See also 42 United States Code Section 3607(b), Civil Code Section 51.3(b)(1).; language there goes on to include housing developments, which I s'pose is where an RV Park would fall.

I partially agree with BarbaraOK, but I do not believe they get any tax advantages. It is against the law to discriminate on age. The government has set up two scenarios that will keep a senior community legal. The first is that all residents must be 55+, we'll call that the restricted version. Each community is allowed to then set visiting restrictions, like family over 21 can live there, grandkids can visit for 2 weeks and no longer, etc. Some of these will allow a younger spouse with restrictions if one is 55+. The second more flexible version says that it is primarily a 55+ community but not exclusively. I have seen the number 80% in the past. They also are allowed to make up additional rules. We had a case in Cape Coral, FL where the wife was 55+, the husband was younger and they had a teenager, probably a grandchild. Everything was OK as long as the wife was alive. She up and died and the rest of the family was required to leave the condo even though they couldn't sell it and had no money to buy somewhere else. Of course they were still responsible for the Condo fees on the condo they could not live in
I believe you are seeing the 55+ because they have a lot of permanent residents and they choose to follow one of those two scenarios. The only way to know the difference is to ask what their rules are. I would not be afraid that you won't be able to find a place to stay.

taddyport wrote:
The answer seems so obvious that I almost hate to ask. I see a lot of RV parks in AZ or other SW states that say they are 55+ parks. I just retired and am going to be full timing it and am looking for a place in AZ probably, problem may be that I'm only 53. Do you really have to be 55 to stay in these parks?

like I said, the answer may be so obvious it isn't funny

thanks

Usually one of the partners has to be 55+, though often parks can allow a certain % to be under 55. What they don't allow are long term stays by someone with kids, because there are certain tax advantages to a 55+ park and in return, the park is telling the community that they will not burden the school system.

You will find most of the snow bird parks in AZ will be 55+ because they are catering to those people who are retired, like to be warm in the winter, and have enough of a disposable income to be able to stay there.

Barb

The odds are you will be fine unless you have other baggage that the parks do not like. For example multiple dogs, unruly offspring visiting frequently, loud parties, husband beating etc. If you blend in to the surroundings then you will be fine.

Please check out Fiesta Grande in Casa Grande, AZ. for your SNOW BIRD living.

I wish I had that problem, 'being only 53', I could deal with it. :)

My hubby quite often is offered the "senior rate". He has a fully grey beard.
The thing is he is only 47, LOL. It doesn't bother him, all the kids call him Santa. Here senior age is 65. He always declines the senior rate, because he says he has not earned it yet!

oldmattb wrote:
I am 54 now, and often pass for a decade younger.

Only in your own mind, dude. 63 and in great shape (5'11" 160). and trust me, you are the only one that doesn't notice the difference.

Live your life, forget about what others think

You lucky Dog - retiring at 53! Congrats!
Matt

I am 54 now, and often pass for a decade younger. We stayed at several 55+ parks several years ago and were never turned away. We have no children, and typically were placed in a "short-term stay" area near the office.

The older residents actually seemed to enjoy having us, and would stop by, introduce themselves, and invite us to events. I have a cactus in the yard that came from cuttings we were given by a resident.

Matt B