Comments on: Book Review: Leisureville

By: And...Action! Teens Calling the Shots | New Urban Mom

And...Action! Teens Calling the Shots | New Urban Mom — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 00:17:32 +0000

[...] year I published a post about the dangers of creating age specific or segregated communities, like those 55+ communities [...]

By: Community Schools...An Old Concept Come Anew | New Urban Mom

Community Schools...An Old Concept Come Anew | New Urban Mom — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 11:47:26 +0000

[...] is the scary reality that we see appearing in places like Arizona and Florida (see my review of Leisureville). Age segregation benefits no one – especially those who are aging. Our children are the ones [...]

By: The Leisureville Alarm - Meet thet Author | New Urban Mom

The Leisureville Alarm - Meet thet Author | New Urban Mom — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:34:29 +0000

[...] week I reviewed nationally acclaimed and New York Times reviewed book, Leisureville. In today’s podcast I [...]

By: Tishia Lee

Tishia Lee — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:10:22 +0000

Sounds like an interesting book. I remember going to Arizona with my dad & ex step mom when I was in like 8th or 9th grade to see her grandparents. They lived in a retirement community & it was sad to me (even at that young of an age) that the people there acted annoyed to even see kids around (there was myself, my sister & a couple other kids visiting relatives). I can’t imagine growing older and not wanting to be around children.

By: Imie

Imie — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:55:36 +0000

I am thinking… would I want to live in a community where everywhere i turn, i see old people – like me? that’s a monotonous living! and that’s scary!

Honestly, it saddens me to see it happening around us. Which makes me wonder, does the people buying into these communities understand what they are depriving themselves of? I think that it might be exciting at first but it can become a lonely existence down the road.

What we need is culturally and age diverse communities where we can share our experiences, wisdoms and can look out for each other.

By: Newurbanmom

Newurbanmom — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:59:58 +0000

Tiffany you’ll relate well to Andrew Bechman’s experiences in this book. He gives a whole history of Sun City…Your point about the impact this will have/is having on our youth is what worries me the most.

By: Tiffany

Tiffany — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 13:56:39 +0000

I used to live in AZ and there is a town called Sun City like that. The entire HUGE town is 55+. Kids and young adults can come visit but they can’t live there. We used to visit a friend that lived there and many of the other homeowners were big ol grumps that would scowl at us like we were a menace. I find it really kind of insulting that communities and towns can do this actually. It is age discrimination. How would people react if we set up communities that didn’t allow anyone over 50 or anyone who didn’t have kids, etc??? And what kind of message that does that send to your loved ones when you go off and live somewhere that excludes them?

By: Regina Baker

Regina Baker — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:28:23 +0000

My Mom and Aunt are two seniors who have chosen to live in a retirement community for 55 plus. It has nothing to do with children not being able to live there, but everything to do with their income. While the community is exceptionally ‘nice’, sometimes I think they miss the ‘old’ community of nurtured neighbors and the ‘watch’ out for each other groups. Mom was tired of the up keep requirements of owning a home.

Seniors (IMO) are the wisdom of our communities. It’s sad to see them leave. I conclude that whatever makes them comfortable and happy, is really what matters.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading your review of Leisureville.

By: Anne Goodrich

Anne Goodrich — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:23:30 +0000

As someone approaching the magic age of 55, where one is allowed to join a senior’s community, I’ve contemplated about doing so. Not because I don’t want children around, but because for some of us there is affordable housing for seniors who aren’t going into these more upscale communities, but looking at apartment complexes and mobile home parks that cater to an older population.

Personally I’m interested in “intentional communities” that bring affordable housing solutions and community living to those in want or need. Leisureville seems to focus on communities of those with expendable incomes who can afford a more luxurious option. Personally I’d rather be part of a community of all age groups and not segregated, and find it hard to understand why someone wouldn’t support new taxes for public schools. Working in the educational segment, though, I’ve seen many bonds turned down that were really needed. I think we’re jaded about how monies will be spent.

Anyway, before I rabbit trail off further, I wanted to say this is an excellent review, and you’ve piqued my interest in getting a hold of a copy of Leisureville.

By: Treece

Treece — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:58:46 +0000

My parents are around 70 and live in a neighborhood full of young kids. They love seeing the children of all ages and look forward to holidays like Halloween, and love summer when everyone is out and about. I can’t imagine them even considering a retirement community with such restrictions. That being said, many people struggle with wanting to support schools and town facilities – their hearts and their minds say one thing but their pocketbooks might say another. We’re living in tough times and those on fixed incomes certainly feel the impact of higher gas prices, rising health costs, grocery bills and taxes on top of all that.

Sounds like this book is a must-read.