I never really thought about senior retirement communities until about a year ago, as strange as it may seem to say. I am now in my mid-60s, and I'm getting ready to retire, and I had always thought that I would continue on just as before. I saw no need for senior citizens centers. I have always enjoyed the company of a wide variety of different people, including different ages and occupations. Going to a senior citizens center seemed like a way to isolate myself from my younger friends and alienate some of my more cosmopolitan elderly friends. Moving into a senior citizen center seemed like the first step towards dying. I would be isolated in a community of people at the end of their life. Sure, I would be entertained and given quality health care, but I would lose touch with the world step by step. As my health began to decline, however I began to give senior citizens centers another thought. Many of my friends who were retiring were also considering going to senior citizens centers. I had heard great reports from some of the senior retirement communities down in Florida, and although I dreaded the heat and the muggy climate, I thought it must be worth at least a look. What I saw amazed me. Senior citizens centers were nothing like I had expected. Of course, some of them were stuffy, dull and conservative, but other ones were filled with interesting people who had led fascinating lives. As a matter of fact, I felt that if I chose the appropriate senior citizens center – one that was not too far out from a major cosmopolitan area – I could still live an active life in the community. Though none of the senior citizen centers that I wanted to visit were located near me, I thought I should consider them anyway. My children told me that they would come to visit quite often, so I would be able to see them in my declining years. I still haven't really made my mind up about senior citizens centers. Part of me is still reluctant to live somewhere so isolated, and my wife seems to feel the same way. Nevertheless, I can't deny the fact that senior citizens centers have some great advantages that other forms of senior care services don't. We'll just have to weigh the options as carefully as possible and make a choice.