well that's true at any apt. complex. i'm at one not 55+ and that's where i talk to people, if I'm to the mailbox, laundry room, Amazon locker, or waiting on a ride, etc. Or just in the hallways. Mine does not have activities though although it sounded as if they had more when i first moved here. Oh they'll do a few things like a Christmas thing, the Safe Night Out that ALL do, etc. But nothing routinely.
my place has also taken a lot of things away since I moved in while raising the rent every year of course. please ignore my lack of cap letters.
It is largely due I figure to problem kids or teenagers or even adults. Our community room no longer has access without paying and renting it, our pool can no longer be accessed from the inside to the outside and now has a keyed gate on the far side of it, the hot tub is gone, and the one public bathroom is gone/can't be used. The laundry room has a sink but the water is turned off to it so if you get soap on your hands, etc. you can't wash your hands until you get back to your apt. wherever that is and on whatever floor. These are but a few examples.
I'm not saying 55+ are all better but I'm pretty sure what they've had to do here is somewhat due to kids, or a lot of it is. When they try to make something better or keep it, someone destroys it. Now that is also somewhat on them...
I love kids, don't mind their noise in the yard or hallways to speak of, etc. BUT some aren't supervised and do cause issues.
And being able to socialize at something like Bingo or even if you read a book in a book room/library and someone else walks in, immediately that's a shared interest at least to the point of saying "what type of book do you enjoy reading?"... I strike up conversations easily but I haven't been that way my entire life, but if one doesn't and wants to, then those shared activities, etc. I do think help.
I'm just giving examples for anyone. I talk to people pretty easily but sometimes just passing someone in the hallway I don't even say hello, it just depends... Even in the laundry room, sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. If I feel a vibe of the other person maybe isn't into small talk or hellos, then neither of us do. That's actually more awkward to both be in the small room and not say anything. Mostly I try though.
Our building has prob different types than some. Some don't speak great English which of course makes it harder. For one. Harder to do more than smile when that is the case. Or have a few words so it's like hello, how are you and that's it because you just can't converse.
Anyhow, just giving my insights. Now my sister lives in another city and her complex is brand new and entirely different than mine. She has a group of people that have coffee together in the community room every morning almost and also who go out to lunch together every so often. She pays more but has a much nicer apt and very few kids there, even though it isn't a 55+.
I've seriously thought of moving there but it's a very small city (some would prob call it a town), 10-15K people. However, I have health care to consider because I've been needing it this last year, and mine is here, and more issues to try to do that if I would want to.
