maybe a dumb question

[taddyport]

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

[MTPockets1]

kcmoedoe wrote:

MTPockets1 wrote:
A 55+ park that is legally registered is exempt from the school taxes. There are strict guidelines the property owners must follow in order to keep that preferred tax status. Such as periodic census, record keeping of residents proof of age, and more. They do have some wiggle room regarding ther percentage of residents allowed by law to reside on the property, but that requires greater record keeping. Federal law allows persons 21 and over to live with the primary occupant as long as the primary is 55+, but no-one under 21 except for visits.

Think this might be a misunderstanding. Following that logic any residence where the owner of the property (single family home) declared they only allowed people 55 and older, would be exempt from the vast majority of property taxes. NOT HAPPENING. Senior housing is exempt from age discrimination laws. That allows them to keep out children, 25 year olds etc. Makes for a quiet and sedate neighborhood. As a warning to the OP, the vast majority of those 55 plus parks are going to be WAAAY PLUS 55. We are early semi-retired (57 and 56) and were hunting property in California over the winter. Made the mistake of renting a home in a 55 plus community. We were basically outcasts. We were easily 20 years younger than the average resident. The place was huge, 4000 homes, and they had all sorts of events and entertainment, but at my age, music from the Lennon Sisters and burlesque style reviews isn't what I was looking for. The sixties and seventies were my generation, I can enjoy the 50s, but the 30s and 40s escape me.

. I didn't say no property taxes, just a designated portion in Florida, exempt from school taxes if all the specific rules are followed.

[MrsMingo]

When we retired late 2001, my DH was 55 and I was 47. We spent the winter in a 55+ park in central FL because my in-laws lived there full time. The owners required at least one person to be 55 and they take copies of driver's license every couple of years as proof. But they also bend the rules if need be. Across the street from us, that winter, was a couple in their late 60's who had their daughter and grandkids (around 8 - 10 years old) staying with them because of a physical abuse situation with the husband/father until the daughter could get back on her feet. As long as the kids behaved themselves, there was not a problem with the office. And the kids WERE well behaved. Not everyone in the park knew of the situation and there was talk, but the owners of the park knew this was a special situation. I have also heard that even though parks may list themselves as 55+, they really can't discriminate against age, that a small percentage of people can be under 55. Of course, this is not an "official" statement, just talk. I also would suggest you give any parks you are considering staying at a call first and ask if your "young" age of 53 would be a problem.

And I have to agree with others about "older" residents and activities; sometimes being somewhere with residents too much older isn't any fun. In 2001 the medium age in the park was close to 80 so the activities and dances reflected their music. Now that most of the older residents have moved on, and their "kids" (mid 60's) have moved in, the music has changed, we now have more people our age to hang with, similar interests, etc. it's more fun and I can't wait to get there in the fall! Do some research and phone calls - and most of all, have fun!

[wanderingbob]

Be careful ! Lying about your age is a felony in most states , I learnt that when I was fifteen a trying to buy beer !

[Bill_Satellite]

Long term visitors might be required to prove 55+ (only one occupant is require to be 55) but many of these parks have short term visitor exceptions. We have stayed or a couple of days at many 55+ RV parks in the past. Today (since I have aged significantly) the 55+ limitaion is no longer and issue for us. Crap!

[drillking]

We stayed at the Mesa Spirit RV Park in Mesa, AZ last year at that time it was a plus 55 park. (Don't know if it still is) after I hobbled in to check in with my plus 60 solid grey haired beard, I was asked my age and my wife's age and our license too. It turned out to be a very nice park for the month we stayed.

[kcmoedoe]

MTPockets1 wrote:
A 55+ park that is legally registered is exempt from the school taxes. There are strict guidelines the property owners must follow in order to keep that preferred tax status. Such as periodic census, record keeping of residents proof of age, and more. They do have some wiggle room regarding ther percentage of residents allowed by law to reside on the property, but that requires greater record keeping. Federal law allows persons 21 and over to live with the primary occupant as long as the primary is 55+, but no-one under 21 except for visits.

Think this might be a misunderstanding. Following that logic any residence where the owner of the property (single family home) declared they only allowed people 55 and older, would be exempt from the vast majority of property taxes. NOT HAPPENING. Senior housing is exempt from age discrimination laws. That allows them to keep out children, 25 year olds etc. Makes for a quiet and sedate neighborhood. As a warning to the OP, the vast majority of those 55 plus parks are going to be WAAAY PLUS 55. We are early semi-retired (57 and 56) and were hunting property in California over the winter. Made the mistake of renting a home in a 55 plus community. We were basically outcasts. We were easily 20 years younger than the average resident. The place was huge, 4000 homes, and they had all sorts of events and entertainment, but at my age, music from the Lennon Sisters and burlesque style reviews isn't what I was looking for. The sixties and seventies were my generation, I can enjoy the 50s, but the 30s and 40s escape me.

[Francesca_Knowl]

MTPockets1 wrote:
A 55+ park that is legally registered is exempt from the school taxes.

I've never heard this before- are you talking about your own State? I ask because school and other local taxes are State purview, so presumably the Feds can't have codified such a Nationwide rule.

I do know that many States offer means-tested exemptions/reductions in various taxes for certain qualified seniors, but as for blanket exemptions for 55-plus RV parks I'm comin' up empty, search-wise.

[MTPockets1]

A 55+ park that is legally registered is exempt from the school taxes. There are strict guidelines the property owners must follow in order to keep that preferred tax status. Such as periodic census, record keeping of residents proof of age, and more. They do have some wiggle room regarding ther percentage of residents allowed by law to reside on the property, but that requires greater record keeping. Federal law allows persons 21 and over to live with the primary occupant as long as the primary is 55+, but no-one under 21 except for visits.

[Dennis_M_M]

I remember 53 … I think?

[missourijan]

It depends on the park, most don't ask, however, I had a park in Yuma want me to prove it one time. They actually asked for my driver's license.

[JKrussow]

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. 🙂

[Francesca_Knowl]

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.

[Taxman2004]

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.

[BarbaraOK]

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