One of my book club friends recently bought in a 55 plus community. She is pretty youthful and still working at a university. For her it was a financial decision. The 55 plus community was affordable. She had sold her regular condo and moved for a few years to another 55 plus community in a different part of the state. When she decided to return she could only afford the 55 community.
My sister-in-law recently bought a place in Sun City Palm Desert. She will rent it out but she liked all the amenities the community has. She felt even at 68 she felt like there were many peers who she connected with. Her and her partner are active but also very social. They liked the social aspect. They plan it as a 2nd home that they will also rent out.