Hello G- I have much experience with 55+ condo developments, from the ground up. The answers below are good, but I would add the followings-
There are clauses in the condo docs that allow for people under 55 to live there, but nobody 18 or under can reside there for more than 6 months a year- under any circumstances. So if you had to rent out to somebody, not everyone has to be 55 that lives there.
If you plan on staying there "forever" I agree you'd get a better deal right now on a buy anywhere in Mass or in southern NH on one of these. There are some many brand new, just sitting there. Especially in Massachusetts- these were overbuilt, considering that many retired folks are moving to NH, or Florida, or the Carolinas, or Arizona, etc. Many are not even staying in Mass.
If you need any help or you have other questions, including financing questions, please contact me.
Thanks and good luck,
Ken L.

Right now you might get a good deal. There was rush to build Active Adult Communities just before the economic downturn, in anticiptation of all the baby-boomers who would be down-sizing or changing lifestyles. But the housing market crash prevented many of those potential Adult Community buyers from selling their homes, so the new communities sat empty.

If you plan to stay there, then it may be a good move. It's too soon to say how difficult it will be to re-sell, becasue first they have to fill the ones under construction. But with the growing baby-boom generation, it should evenutally turn around.

Good luck!

Hello G, That is a question you will need to really answer on your own. But, here are some thoughts. If you are over 55 and an active person who likes everything within walking distance (gym, swimming pool, lots of other 55+ yr olds, etc.) then a 55 would be a good bet for your lifestyle. If you like having kids around in your neighborhood then no, that is not a good fit. Unless there is something specific to a particular neighborhood, there shouldn't be much difference in financial benefit. Make sure you read all the HOA docs no matter where you buy. My experience has been that 55+ developments cannot rent to folks who are not 55 if that is a consideration for you in the future.