When my daughter split with her abusive ex, I knew she really needed my help. So I started traveling to Minnesota for a week each month to help with all six of my grandchildren. But soon, I realized that in order to stay sane, I needed my own space. That’s when I decided to take a chance on a 55+ community I thought I might enjoy.

If you’re a woman in midlife, moving to a 55+ community could be just the fresh start you’ve been craving. Imagine downsizing, simplifying, and finally having the space to focus on yourself—joining clubs, hitting the fitness center, or making friends with neighbors who really get where you are in life. Sounds amazing, right? But it’s not all sunshine—you might run into strict HOA rules, limited age diversity, or the bittersweet feeling of leaving a home full of memories. Some women thrive here; others feel a little boxed in. The key is thinking carefully about what will make this next chapter truly yours—because this is your time to live life on your own terms.

In this episode, I share my honest take on 55+ communities—the ups, the downs, and whether it ended up being a good choice for my next chapter.