Another thing I noticed is that there are a small number of two-story units in the condo complex I'm looking at. The rest, probably 90% or better, are one-story.

As you can imagine, in a 55+ community, the vast majority of people are going to want to live in a one-story unit.

So I've noticed that there's a sizeable price discount on the two-story units, which seem to be pretty consistently $10,000 cheaper.

Now yeah, i really liked the idea of one-story living, particularly with my pre-existing condition; who knows how I'll be 10 years from now.

But buying a unit that's $10,000 cheaper on average, well, that's a sizeable discount. That $10,000 could pay for 4 or 5 vacations abroad, for instance.

It's also a nice compromise between having to choose between the "Crest" complex with no organized clubs/acitvities to speak of, with lower common charges but higher purchase price, OR the cheaper priced Village with its higher common charges but built-in social life.

Getting the $10K discount if I bought a 2-story unit in the Village would make up for the higher common charges for the first 3 or 4 years, anyway, and i wouldn't have to sacrifice the built-in social life aspect.(As I recall, Crest common charges were around $225/mth, 2-bedrooms at the Village, $512.

I will have to analyze things more closely. it's been a while since i looked at Crest prices. I also think they had more privacy, but I should look again if an open house at one of those units presents itself. I have plenty of time. It's just 20 minutes from home, plus the Shop Rite I go to is in that town, so i could arrange with the relator i like to check out some other units when i do my grocery shopping.

The things that are most important to me are:

1. I want a very updated unit with newer kitchen and baths, carpeting, wood floors, or as much of that as possible. After living in an 85 year old house, I'm thinking new, new new. I've more than willing to downsize in terms of square footage, but I want to "upsize" in terms of condition and amenities.

2. Outdoor privacy very important. I'd like to be able to sit out on my patio preferably without seeing or hearing neighbors or work in my garden area without anyone having the ability to watch me.

3. Ability to do some gardening. Both the Village and Crest allow you to do that. I know that at the Village, you have to just submit an application and tell them what you plan to do. Once you start putting in trees and/or shrubs or whatever, it becomes your responsiblity to maintain it. (Fine with me.) If something dies and you don't get rid of it, though, the Assn will do so for you and then bill you! Also, i'd definitely bring my hummingbird feeder along, and the regular bird feeder, though I can see how neighbors might complain about the regular bird feeder becus of the mess they can make.