My dream retirement would be some place warm, where snow-blowers, snow-shovels, and layers are never necessary. I'd enjoy living in a small gated community (not a retirement community persay all ages welcome, but where no one has the yard from #*&^ or is super noisy) with a pool, gym with all the outdoor maintence done by someone else; oh, and close enough to walk or bus to shopping and other city things.
We rented one in Arizona for a week a few years ago and it was pretty awesome.
Dh isn't planning to retire until after 67 or later. I'm of an age already, that our two story with a full basement home is a lot to maintain and my knees & back no longer love the stairs. I do want a place where my kids and any possible grandkids are welcome and nearby if possible. The local retirement centers are definitely not my idea of a place to spend my golden years.