Retirement Communities for New Yorkers - Look No Further than New Jersey
Where is the best retirement community for bocce ball for Staten Islanders? Perhaps as close as New Jersey.
Jason Sheftell of the New York Daily News highlights the story of John and Loretta DiPalermo, residents of Staten Island since 1980, who decided to cash in by selling their house (for $600k) and using the proceeds to buy a more comfortable two-bedroom home in the Renaissance Homes development in New Jersey.
According to the article, the community is a cross between a retirement community and adult summer camp, the complex features cul-de-sac streets, golf courses and small manmade lakes. Almost 50% of the residents are ex-Brooklynites and one-time Staten Islanders, and the community even has a Brooklyn club, in addition to numerous other groups and clubs.
It’s easy to imagine why communities such as this are growing in popularity, especially for New Yorkers. Coming from tight-knit communities with roots that often go back for generations, many New Yorkers may be reluctant to give up the bonds (as well as the favorite pasttimes, such as bocce) for communities filled with those who don’t have the same roots (or the same appreciation of the beauty of the Bronx). Or, perish the thought, they don’t have to live in fear that they might one day be surrounded by Cubs fans who have no appreciation whatsoever of the Yankees.
