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I think that’s one of the pros. 
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<p>We recently downsized into a condo. Four of our good friends bought in the same building and we love it. We all have our own space and would never think of dropping in unannounced. That said, we probably watch television programs or eat dinner casually (sometimes just take-out) at someone’s place at least 4 times a week. It’s like a dorm for grown-ups. We have lots of friends who don’t live in the building, but it’s really nice to have friends right at hand.</p>
<p>" Besides, how are we supposed to run around naked with others in the house? " :)</p>
<p>“I think that’s one of the pros.” </p>
<p>We’re not that old…;)</p>
<p>I’ve thought about it. I’ve read of similar situations, where seniors–generally single–have additional roommates (with separate rooms) so that they can afford to stay in their home. And I’ve read of senior living communities constructed so that there are small private homes but shared resources such as a communal kitchen/dining room. It reminds me of a college co-op. I lived in a co-op-esque house for most of my undergrad years, and the concept remains appealing. </p>
<p>I like the idea of having other seniors around to share the cost of expenses such as having someone do meal prep, a visiting nurse or assisted living coordinator, an occasional driver and home upkeep. It could be like a small privatized assisted living home. Depending on our health and care needs, it could even be significantly cheaper than an assisted living home. </p>
<p>The spouse hasn’t shot down the idea. 
We have awhile to go before we’d really consider it, but it’s certainly not ruled out.</p>
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<p>Yes, yes! I’d love something like that.</p>
<p>canamer, That sounds wonderful. It’s something we are considering doing in the future as well. There are military retirement communities all over the country and some are very nice. I could absolutely see us somewhere like that someday.</p>
<p>I do have friends that are considering sharing a house with two other couples. My friend and her husband will someday inherit a big house from her parents. This house has three large bedroom with sitting areas and private baths. The house also has a large kitchen, dining room, family room, tv room, home office, etc. and a small guest house. Did I mention the beautiful grounds and pool? </p>
<p>So my friend has figured out that three couples could live in the house and they could collectively hire a couple as caretakers to live in the guest house. They have friends that are interested in the idea. This would be 10 or more years from now and while I would not be interested it, it certainly is an interesting idea.</p>
<p>I’ve often thought that I would like to buy a large property with a lake and sell off building lots to the many friends we have made through the years in the Army. Now, if I can only win the lottery.</p>
<p>There are many empty nesters who have way too much house but it really does take the right folks and attitude to do the more communual living situation. So many people are used to and seem to prefer “their own space.” I vacillate about how happy I would be in such a setting, but our home is fairly small and H would NEVER go for it.</p>
<p>In college/law school, some had more harmonious living situations than others. I guess a lot depends on the choices available and how freely people enter into the arrangements and their opportuntiies to get out if things don’t work as planned. As long as people have viable escape options, it could be nice to try.</p>
<p>A friend and I have talked about this half-seriously; we joke that our husbands are going to work themselves into early graves and then we will have each other. Our families vacation together every few years or so (renting a big house), but we live in different states so we don’t spend a lot of regular day in, day out together. I would need to run a (long) trial with a rental situation to see how it would work. I see a lot of advantages, and we love each other like family. The likelihood of any of our children settling down nearby is fairly remote; this way we could count on each other. The one worrisome area for me would be financial; they have a lot more money than we do and as a result our spending habits are very different. We would have to own seperate properties, but I can’t help thinking it would be wonderful to live nearby some of our closest friends.</p>
<p>I’ve seen photographs of a marvelous architecturally-designed house/community built by a group of (older) friends; I think in California. There were couples and singles, wonderful private and shared spaces, and a legal agreement that addresses what would happen when anyone left the community (for whatever reason). I’ll see if I can find the name; it is house porn for the AARP set.</p>
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<p>That is how I picture a retirement community (where people are not elderly enough to need assistance). That has always appealed to me. Do they really work that way or do people pretty much keep to themselves? I’ve hear there are huge retirement communities in Florida where there are lots of organized activities. That could be a lot of fun.</p>
<p>I couldn’t see us sharing a house with another couple but we have talked about trying a short vacation (3-4 days) with some friends.</p>
<p>We have gone on vacations of up to three weeks with good friends, twice or three times. It was fun, but don’t think we could live together. It would be nice to be in the same community or area (they live in LA & we’re in Honolulu), but neither of us wants to relocate. I have lots of family within a 5 minute drive of our home, and all are likely to remain plus our kids currently say they’re hoping to return to HI. Will see how things really evolve.</p>
<p>My aunt chose to move to a senior center so she wouldn’t be a burden to others. She helped a lot of folks until she was stricken by lung cancer after living there for decades. She mostly liked it there but did find it depressing that there were so many OLD people and generally people would get worse and eventually die, but liked that she wasn’t a burden and there was food cooked regularly and they had activities and even a van to transport people (tho she drove until the last year of her life when she was in her 80s). Many of my folks friends have tried out condos & retirement communities–some have opted to stay there but many preferred to live in single-family homes like they had most of their lives.</p>
<p>I would definitely go for a LONG trial period with a rental or similar before committing and can’t imagine doing it while H is alive (he has trouble even with B&Bs as too chummy).</p>
<p>Our situation is a high-rise in downtown, so we have a mix of middle-aged and young people. Interestingly, you rarely encounter anyone else in the elevator, but when you do they are very friendly. I always thought people in apartments downtown would be more aloof than neighbours in houses, but I have actually found the opposite to be the case, at least in our building. I love the fact that I drive very little now, as almost everything I need is within a 2-block radius. The building has a great fitness room and a pool, which I like having. I can put potted plants on my balcony, and don’t have the hassle of a yard - I had a “brown thumb” anyway :-)</p>
<p>DH and I attended a retirement seminar this week, so I was thinking a simliar idea earlier today. But the idea was for a vacation home (not necessarily for us, just the idea that came up for making a 2nd home more affordable). </p>
<p>If 2 or more families shared a large vacation home, then they could choose to come at the same time or different times. When only one couple was there, then there would be extra room for kids/grandkids to visit.</p>
<p>Yes, if there is some disposable income for a shared **vacation place <a href=“home,%20apartment,%20condo”>/B</a>, costs could be shared to make it more affordable and if the parties agree, it could be rented out when it’s not in use by any of the owners. I have known several folks who have made such arrangements, which work as long as there is a good agreement on responsibility for costs for insurance, upkeep, etc. as well as whom is responsible for what, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve been gone all day and am now asking myself, What was I thinking this morning???</p>
<p>The two sets of grandparents in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory did it, but sharing the same bed across from one another is probably going a bit far. It’s a running joke in our house -we tell the kids that’s the reason we have to like their future in-laws!</p>
<p>I could see living in the same condo building as friends, but would like my own space. If I really needed to share, I could probably make it work if I were single and shared a house with other women. H would never (and I do mean never) share a house with another couple.</p>
<p>No, no, no. Not going back to the days of labeling the yogurt and finding the washer filled with someone else’s wet laundry. The roomie I’m legally bound to and I are always jockeying for control over the “good” TV and maneuvering to avoid being the one who adds that last item to the trash that will require it be emptied. Can you imagine the permutations when there are four people? To say nothing of visits by the kids/grandkids. Shudder!</p>
<p>Can’t imagine returning to living with roommates at this stage of life, or later. We have often vacationed with friends, but always with our own separate accomodations, and that has always been fun. We frequently have friends visit and stay with us at our second home, also fun. However, I would never want to make that a permanent arrangement.</p>