When my wife and I first moved to Ocala in 2004 we were only 49. Coming from a log cabin on 12 acres in Maine we made a pretty radical transition and bought a pool home on a 1/2 acre in SW Ocala. We loved the concept of a pool under a big screen cage right off the Lanai.

Fast forward 15 years. We are tired of maintaining our yard and pool. The pool really isn’t that hard but the maintaining the yard which was a sort of gardening hobby is getting old.

Time for a change. I have taken my wife on tours of 55+ communities in the past but we always thought the lots were small, didn’t want to pay HOA fees and weren’t interested in social activities. We decided a home with a view in back was really nice despite homes close on either side. We think the HOA fees are worth it because the curb appeal of the community beats any Not 55+ we can afford and we will utilize some amenities like the dog park and fitness center.

We have never had a new home and that’s a big factor in our move too. We are building a new home in Del Webb Stone Creek. I plan to blog about my new home building experience so people can follow the process in the very near future.