Arizona Private Golf Club Community for Active Adults

New Homes Builder Arizona

At Encanterra, you're just a hop, skip and a jump from the world-class arts, sports, and cultural scene that is Phoenix, where you can do whatever it is you love most.

Combining the charm of an old-world Mediterranean village with New World design, Encanterra truly feels like a desert oasis. That's because the homes all exist around the perimeter of the championship private golf club, meaning the views are always spectacular. That is, assuming you like green grass foregrounds and magnificent red rock backdrops.

This is one place that will make your new home feel like a vacation.

Already under construction and set to open in 2010, is the spectacular 6,000+ square foot Club at Encanterra, La Casa. Once completed in 2010, La Casa will include:

• Lighted professional tennis courts,
• An indoor lap pool and outdoor resort pool,
• Mossa Athletic Club & Alvea Spa with both co-ed and women-only areas and full-service spa treatments,
• Explorations Cafe & News, a concept influenced by Starbuck's, Paradise Bakery, and your favorite Manhattan newsstand, and
• Bistro 1528, a delicious restaurant concept complete with adjoining lounge and a wine library called "The Vault".

Check out the cool interactive tour of La Casa.

Top Orlando Attractions for Baby Boomers

For those baby boomers looking for a retirement community somewhere fun, why not consider Florida?

“We like to say that Orlando is a ‘kid at heart’ destination,” says Susan Greer, associate vice president of publicity at the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Take a new look at Orlando and its must-experience baby boomer attractions:

Fantasy of Flight

Why go? Named Orlando’s best-kept secret by readers of the Orlando Sentinel, Fantasy of Flight is home to the world’s largest collection of private vintage and restored aircraft, with more than 40 rare planes restored to flying condition. Fantasy of Flight also has themed immersion experiences, flight simulators, interactive exhibits, daily aerial demonstrations and guided tours.
Bragging rights: Fantasy of Flight is great for boomers because it allows guests to experience the passion and nostalgia of aviation. Boomers will love exploring planes actually used in WWI and WWII.

Cost: $28.95 for ages 16-55; $26.95 for 55 and older

Go now: The best time to experience Fantasy of Flight is October through May, when visitors can partake in hot air balloon and biplane rides, which are only available seasonally.
Insider tip: The 1940s-themed Compass Rose Diner transports visitors to the golden age of aviation and serves soups, salads, sandwiches and entrees daily between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

EPCOT at Walt Disney World Resort

Why go? Celebrate the cultural heritage of 11 different nations at World Showcase and tour tomorrow in Future World. While traversing the park, guests will be amused by live performers and may even be invited to participate in the show. Future World offers a variety of entertainment and shows, all of which focus on technological advancements, innovation and wonder.

Bragging rights: “EPCOT offers a nice combination of rides, dining, shopping, exhibits and special events, so baby boomers can really tailor their experience to fit their preferences,” Greer says.

Cost: $79

Go now: Greer advises boomers to book a trip March through May, during the EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival; or September through November, during the EPCOT Food and Wine Festival. Both events are included in general admission prices.

Insider tip: Use the FASTPASS system to avoid long waits.

Loch Haven Cultural Pass

Why go? The Loch Haven Cultural Pass grants access to the Orlando Museum of Art, the Orlando Science Center and The Mennello Museum of American Art in Loch Haven Park. At their convenience, guests experience what Newsweek called “one of the best museums in the South,” one of America’s top hands-on science centers, and an eclectic mix of contemporary American folk art and nationally renowned exhibitions of American art.
Bragging rights: Greer says the cultural pass is great for boomers because it shows a different side of Orlando, reflecting its history without a cartoon-character insight.
Go now: The best time to get the Loch Haven Cultural Pass is during the spring when The Mennello Museum hosts an annual Folk Festival featuring self-taught art, fine craft and folk music.

Cost: $25

Insider tip: The cultural pass saves guests more than 20 percent off regular adult ticket prices. Visitors select a start date and can visit each museum once over a 14-day period.

New Homes Retirement Community

Tips provided by By Molly Logan Anderson of EnterpriseNews.com.

Retirement Communities: Maintain Your Active Lifestyle and Community Connections

During the old days when horses were still the main source of transportation and diseases were said to be caused by evil spirits, men and women who reach old age usually live in their rickety huts or even in caves high up the mountains when younger generations saw them as nothing but nuisance. However, these days with a heightened sense of filial piety, we have come up with better ways to let senior citizens live out their last years in retirement communities.

Today’s generation of retirees has been availed some solid selections of retirement communities to choose from, ranging from the luxurious to the value-driven. After a life of work and pursuit of financial stability, the time has finally come for you to wind down and live the rest of your life in peace and comfort. This is definitely where a retirement community becomes a viable option. For whatever reason you may have to look for such a community, it is most likely to involve the need to associate with a group of people in the same situation with similar interests. This is why these communities have been growing consistently lately.

New Homes Builder

Location is definitely one of the main factors in your options. Somewhere safe and away from all the noise with good weather and close enough to the basic necessities. With the growth of these communities, you should be able to find one that is near your loved ones. There are communities fit for each type of preference. Of course, not everyone may want to live in somewhere like the suburbs. There should be a few in urban environments. However, the majority of the demographics point towards the quieter parts of the country, so most communities are located there in the most famous of states for retired folk like Florida and Arizona.

Having maintenance-free living is absolutely the best thing about these communities. Menial labor isn’t that accessible to elderly people, so it is best that there are others to do the chores and other such work. You can then sit back and relax like the rest of your counterparts. There would be maintenance personnel standing by to work on whatever needs to get done around the vacinity, whether it is cleaning or repairs. Security personnel and on-site medical staff are also available, so worries are a distant memory when you start living in such environments.
Value is definitely something most people want, which gives you more reason to join a retirement community. Not only are these places mostly with lower tax rates than in other places, but they also come more affordable than you expect, considering what you get with your money from these places. Whatever your budget might be, if it is all for good health and a happy life, then these communities can definitely deliver.

While relaxing is great, many retirees prefer to stay active for good health and enjoyment. Buying a new home in a retirement community is a great place for you to indulge upon this. Not only are there activities that you can partake at your leisure, but you can also have a place where you and your friends can interact. Physical and social activities like golf, tennis, swimming and many others can keep you all entertained and having fun while in each others’ company.

Information for this post provided by www.i-knowhowonline.com.

Trends in Retirement Communities

Retirement community builders are changing with the times. On examination of the changing housing needs for retirees, they are finding that there is more of a demand for computer labs, weight rooms and lap pools than for the purely recreational focus of the past generation. Moving beyond shuffleboard, the modern communities are incorporating elements of what modern seniors want including fancy media and computer rooms, better lighting, easy care amenities, tighter security and ergonomic designs that will make things easier as they think ahead to age related disabilities.

New Homes Builder

Today’s retirees are completely different from the “older folks” of even one generation ago. The age of people living in adult retirement communities is coming down. The younger residents often stay in the work force as consultants or are using retirement as an opportunity to jump into a new career. Folks enjoy living in active adult communities because of the recreational facilities, the socialization, and to enjoy the freedom of having someone else be responsible for maintenance and yard work. Americans are living longer and are healthier than ever before.

The possibility exists that you might spend as much of your adult life retired as you did working. This trend is profoundly affecting housing wants and needs. 85% of retirees do not want to move out of their current homes (according to AARP statistics), but the retirees who opt to stay put are more apt to be from the lower income group or those living in a rural area. The wealthier or younger retirees are looking for cushier and more stimulating lives in a new setting. Many Active Adult Communities are resorts packed with activities and are often centered around thriving activity centers.

For information on new homes in Active Adult Communities visit http://www.trilogylife.com.

Content for this article provided by Smart Senior and can be found at http://lmb.typepad.com/smart_senior/trends-in-retirement-communities-.html

Get Inspired in Your New Home in La Quinta, Ca.

Imagine waking up each morning to sunny skies and breathtaking views of the Santa Rosa Mountains...

Find your next new home in the most coveted address in the Palm Springs area – La Quinta. With nearly year-round sunshine and warm temperatures, it’s easy to see why the Coachella Valley attracts so many people, including Hollywood stars, for vacations, both temporary and permanent.

New Homes

When Trilogy at La Quinta is your home, there's a lot you discover about living. Like the fact that where you live can be an inspiration for how you live. That's what happens when you Trilogy's superior new homes are designed around how you want to live. From features that enhance comfort and healthier living to eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient systems, superior living is literally designed and built into every aspect of the community and every inch of your new home. That's what makes them such a great value.

Activities abound close to your new home at Trilogy in La Quinta. In addition to excellent golfing and shopping, there are dozens of ways to take in your stunning surroundings—by hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, Jeep tours, hot-air balloon or camping. And when it comes to exploring the great outdoors, it’s hard to beat Joshua Tree National Park as your local destination.

Active Adult Living

Your new home in the greater Palm Springs area has so much to offer that you won’t know where to start. As if you won’t find enough to do at Trilogy at La Quinta!

Trilogy at La Quinta

The New Retirement is all about Active Living Communities

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 50 million Americans are currently over 60, and by 2030, nearly one in five U.S.residents are expected to be 65 or older.

With low housing prices, historically low interest rates, government tax incentives and a new spin on "Retirement Communities", now is a fantastic time to venture out and find the dream community you have always imagined. Whether golfing, playing tennis, lounging around the pool, or just spending time on the patio with a nice cup of coffee and the paper - then we have the place for you!

Trilogy Life by Shea Homes provides Active Adult Retirement Communities in Arizona, California, Washington and Florida. Each provide unique world-class amenities, including: golf courses, restaurants, and so much more.

There are fantastic programs in place to get you to these prime retirement community destinations, we highly recommend visiting Trilogy Life online and learning more about how your idea of "retirement" can come into light as well as see the daily amenities you will be able to enjoy.

Learn More Today http://www.trilogylife.com

Active-adult community residents

Active-adult communities, restricted to residents age 55 or older, are designed to meet the high standards of today's retirees and pre-retirees. Empty nesters ready to be relieved of household maintenance chores are often attracted to these communities, which usually have a staff to shovel snow, rake leaves and maintain lawns and common areas.

Amenities for active-adult communities usually include a club where residents can meet their neighbors, entertain friends and family, exercise, and pursue interests such as arts and crafts or billiards. Most of these communities provide plenty of opportunities for socializing with neighbors and staying fit with walking trails, swimming pools, exercise equipment and tennis courts.

The home types vary from single-family homes to villas, town homes and condominiums in active-adult communities, but all include either a one-level floor plan, a first-floor master suite or an elevator to meet the needs of residents as they age...

Full Article Details - http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/oct/23/special-feature-active-adult-communities-allow-own/

Resort Retirement Washington

Trilogy at Redmond Ridge

With Seattle just 20 minutes away, it’s easy to explore the arts, sports venues and top-notch restaurants of the largest city in the Pacific Northwest. As a top high-tech epicenter, you’ll feel the buzz from the action and innovation—and the famed coffee.

You’re also a hop, skip and a jump from arts and cultural events, pro sports, universities, restaurants and shopping in the greater Seattle area.

And when it’s time for a hard-earned breather, take a stroll into town and check out the charming stores and cafes. To top off your day, swing by the world-class wineries and microbreweries of Woodinville.

Top Searches: New Home Seattle, Resort Retirement Washington

Retirement Communities in Arizona

Arizona is a top destination location for retirement communities - simply because the weather is amazing and the retirement communities of today often have amenities which include golf courses, massive club houses, events for all lifestyles, tennis and more.

Trilogy Life by Shea Homes an award winning new homes builder has two retirement communities located in the Arizona area. Vistancia (located in Peoria, AZ.) & Encanterra (Queen Creek, AZ.) both feature world class resort amenities for your dream retirement community.

Baby Boomers Gravitate Toward Active Adult Communities

For the next 20 years, experts predict we will see record numbers of baby boomers moving into active adult communities.

These are not nursing homes, assisted living or government subsidized high-rise buildings. These communities are like Disneyland for grown-ups, an around-the-clock amusement park offering a cornucopia of fun-filled activities for the 55-plus age group.

It's almost like 60 is the new 40. Few baby boomers plan to grow old gracefully; they're going to fight the aging process every step of the way and enjoy life to its fullest. As a result, active adult communities are springing up all over the country, and they cater to the desire to remain young and vibrant. OK, maybe more vibrant than young, but you get my drift.

Many homes in active adult communities are designed for entertainment; they feature guest rooms suitable for weekend visits from grandchildren and offer work space for those seniors who plan to start a new career or hobby. Of course, the associations offer tennis courts, spas and adjacent golf courses, too. That goes without saying...

Visit any active adult retirement community for senior living, and you're more likely to see residents zooming by on motorized golf carts than chugging along in a push wheelchair. In fact, if you don't swiftly move out of their path, these happy-go-lucky golfers just might run over you. This is not your grandfather's retirement community.

What is an Active Adult Retirement Community?

Retirement communities are age-restricted and often located near metropolitan areas or nearby suburbs. The minimum age is typically 55, with one member of the household qualifying. Some communities restrict ownership to those age 62 and older, and all occupants must be at least 62. Driving by, though, you might think it's just another subdivision.

Many are gated and private. Homes are closer together and lot sizes smaller. Most of the homes are based on particular models, so they tend to resemble each other. Almost all offer a laundry list of activities and amenities.

Senior Living in Style: Amenities

Home owners in active adult retirement communities pay into a homeowner's association, which cares for the grounds and handles maintenance. Part of the homeowner association fees pays for such amenities as:

• Club House
• 18-Hole Golf Courses
• Libraries
• Fitness Centers
• Swimming Pools and Spas
• Arts & Crafts Centers
• Billiards and Card Rooms
• Tennis Courts
• Basketball Courts
• Continuing Education Classrooms
• Hiking & Biking Trails
• High-Tech Media Centers
• Banquet and Ballrooms

The list is endless. Retirement is a time to play and, for many, a time to enjoy meaningful work. Seniors over 55 know how to have fun and enjoy the social aspect of being surrounded by friends who like to do the same things that they do.

Benefits to Seniors Living

Why move out of a perfectly comfortable home that has served you well for a decade or more and into a retirement community filled with strangers? There are plenty of benefits that lure seniors into these 55-plus subdivisions.

• Single-story living. 
  One level means those facing troubled knees or aching bones aren't forced to climb stairs.

• Birds of a feather. 
  Your neighbors are unlikely to be screaming teenagers on skateboards; they are people just like you.

• Little or no yard maintenance.
  The homeowner association mows lawns, waters gardens, trims trees, sweeps walks and, in areas where it's needed, provides snow and ice removal.

• Resort living.
  Fun-filled activities are located within walking distance or an easy commute. All fees are included.

• Mix work with play. 
  Many of today's seniors are not ready to live a life of 100% leisure and want to continue working or perhaps start a new career. Homes in retirement communities generally include an office, den or separate workspace.

Buying a Home in an Active Adult Community

by Elizabeth Weintraub:

Greenbacks For Green Homes...

If you are looking for a great active adult community AND you like the idea of having a green certified home, your in luck!

TrilogyLife is running a promotion right now called "Greenbacks for Green Homes". They are offering up to $25,000 in credits and rebates on brand new resort retirement homes that have been designed and built as certified green homes.

They have set aside $1 Million in money to support this promotion, so if you want to take advantage of it before it's all gone, check out TrilogyLife today.

Benefits of Living in a Master-Planned Community

Location, location, location, has always been the eternal mantra in home buying. One thing you should know is that you can always enjoy homes in a good location. However, it is still not a guarantee that it has everything that you need. You may be near schools and the park, but far from malls or the supermarket. Alternatively, you can be near the beach but you can be far from business establishments. You can reap some of the benefits of living in a good location. However, you cannot have all the benefits of quality living just by settling for a good location.

But what if you want it all? What if you want to be part of a community where everything is good: the neighborhood, the location, the environment and the construction of tquality? What if you want ..."perfection"?

Living in the world, where professionals are equipped with knowledge to sustain human needs, you can now have everything you desire in a new home. You can buy a property in a good location, packed with amenities and near schools and your workplace. You can live in a house within proximity to economic centers, yet still have the tranquility and serenity you have been wanting. Thanks to master planned communities, all of this is possible.

Features of a Master-Planned Community

How do you know that you are living in a master-planned community? This should not be hard to do. Just by looking at the surroundings, you can already tell if it is a planned community. The area is vast and wide. Within the subdivision, recreational activities and malls are constructed. The best schools are not far away. The environment is filled with amazing landscaping. Houses built within the area are practically one of the best that your has ever laid upon.

Benefits

You may wonder why properties within master-planned communities continue to be the dream homes of the many individuals. Well, here are the reasons:

1. Quality lifestyle- Master planned community paves way for quality because it has everything that you need. Homeowners have the privilege of living in a stress-free environment. Everything that surrounds the place practically makes everything convenient. There is availability of consumer goods, transportation, recreation, schools and all determinants of living. Therefore, it is not impossible to have an excellent way of living if you decide to reside in here.

2. Eco-friendly living- This community is packed with great landscaping. Some of them may have roads lined with trees and plants. It may have parks and other green spaces and anything that Mother Nature can offer. They are usually built with special consideration to the environment. Developers aim to preserve it amidst the various structures being built.

More homes are becoming energy efficient and people are bound to embark on green living.

3. High property Values- They can have high values because of the quality of living it provides. Aside from that, homes and surroundings are created with guidelines to unify the surrounding and to create quality structures.

No matter how long these structures stay, the will surely still create a balanced and beautiful surroundings. This makes the property more desirable in the eyes of the people.

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Learn more about master-planned communities by visiting this site Ahwatukee Real Estate and Residential Real Estate in Ahwatukee. You can also learn more real estate tips in here, so check them out now!

Article Provided By:

Katrina Marie Santes

Retirement Living - An Environment For Healthy Aging

As more of the population pushes the previous life-span boundaries, more and more of us become concerned with aging in such a way that we can maintain our quality of life. Of course, at the core of healthy aging is making good choices about eating right, maintaining a healthy body weight, and having regular medical checkups, but did you know that where you live can have a factor in your overall health as well?

In many of our neighborhoods there are not readily available exercise facilities or social opportunities. This can make it difficult for retired people to maintain a previously healthy lifestyle. Keep in mind, a healthy lifestyle doesn't just include exercise, but also social connections and mental stimulation as well. All of these factors can be supported by a good retirement community.

Exercise helps keep as healthy as we age, even moderate exercise can help keep you more mobile and able to enjoy both daily life as well as special outings. Mental exercise is also an important factor to consider; the more mental stimulation we participate in, the sharper our minds remain. Mental exercise can be as simple as having regular trips to the library for reading materials, playing a game of bingo with friends, visiting a local museum, or connecting with friends and family. Both kinds of exercise also help keep our stress levels down as well. Prolonged stress can deteriorate most of the systems of the body and even affect your memory. Enjoying a relaxing living environment can be one way to help combat stress in your life.

A good retirement community can help you with all of these issues and more. It might include such simple elements as walking paths and close proximity to shopping, medical care, as well as entertainment such as a theater. Some retirement communities have swimming pools or shuffleboard as well, giving you that holiday cruise feel!

Some aspects of healthy living, such as choosing whether or not to smoke, having regular medical checkups, and eating healthy are very personal decisions; while other aspects can be greatly influenced by the environment you live in. Whether choosing either a new residence for living in all year round, or just winter accommodations to help you escape a harsh climate, keep in mind what kind of environment would support you best in your retirement.

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Article Provided By:

Article Source: Nelson_Stewart

Learn more about mobile homes and Arizona Retirement living at PalmGardensOnline.com. The site has extensive information for buyers thinking of relocating to an Arizona age restricted RV Park, and details on a variety of great mobile home and RV living options.

Adult Retirement Community - Not Just the Active Seniors, Even Younger People Prefer Them Too

Many of retired people have these days decided not to stay at the same places where they have reared their children. They want to try out better and newer ways things and engage themselves in hobbies they could never pursue because of work pressure.

In fact, they want to do something totally different - go fishing, boating, and swimming or just ambling through manicured golf courses to enjoy life all over again. And they are no singular entities that seek such simple novelties in life - more than seventy-five million retirees are doing this in the United States today. And thus, an active living retirement community is what they look for.

However, a thorough research needs to be done before the things can fall in place. Firstly, you should make up your mind. What kind of location would suit best? To begin with, you have to determine whether you want to move in to a state where the climate is good, or live nearby your loved ones.

With or without the sunny climate, Florida may fail to attract most of the seniors. Living right in your own state has plenty of benefits, and thus this is what many seniors opt for. But it may still be useful to search the Internet to find the various options that are located all over the country. You will find such communities abound in most states - there could be one too many in one's home state as well.

In the initial days, active adult retirement community members used to take care of the services offered to the new members and look after their demands. But currently, the real estate developers have engaged themselves in these duties and customs. Both the members and the communities have been benefited by this new trend. Often the retired members face an economic crunch and this can be sorted out by the real estate developers, who have a lot of funds available. Utilizing the fund in a mutually beneficial way can be a smart way to do business for both the parties.

Instead of going on with the gut feeling, any decision should be taken after serious thoughts. As for instance, a retiree on a limited budget should not select a golf condo, whose price is way above the average, even if the game is dear to the heart. Compared to that, a community that is close to a waterfront is mostly within budget and can be a swimmer's delight.

Do not ignore the listed out points here when you are selecting your own active adult retirement community.

• Zeroing in on the site in sync with the personal preferences and financial capacity.

• A list of the requirements and the wishes associated with the area. Yes, the 'desires' can be done without, but not the 'essential things'.

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Article provided by Cole Hudson, of http://www.myactivecommunity.com

Article Source: Cole_R_Hudson

A Guide to Secure your Retirement

There are several meanings that people might put to the term "retiring comfortably". You might plan on hopping around the globe, or obtaining a dream 'castle' in a faraway land, or lazing around in a tropical destination.

Despite these romantic scenarios, you still have to listen to your practical side. See if you can afford the standard of living that you want in your leisure years.

Whether you want to live abroad or stay in the country during retirement, you would not want to worry about finances, so it is better to plan ahead.

>> Secure your finances.

Studies show that most pensions do not make up the difference between what you actually need and what Social Security provides. The key is to build a solid financial plan.

You need about 70% of your income before retirement to live up to the lifestyle that you now have.

Sure, your living expenses might be lowered during your leisure years. But other things that you need to spend on will definitely increase.

Another factor to consider is inflation. Have you ever heard of prices of commodities going down?

In spite of a basically steady economy, costs are sure to rise as you grow older so you need to foresee if you will be able to afford steep prices when you only have your monthly pension to rely on.

>> Think "Social Security" equals "Retirement Security".

By law, a person is eligible to receive benefits once he turns 62 years old. Age, eligibility, marital status and the amount that you have contributed trough the number of years that you worked will determine exactly how much pension you will receive.

If you decide not to take advantage of the benefits by the time you turn 62, then you will definitely have more once you start withdrawing money from the system.

>> Check if your pension plans can keep up with growing costs.

When considering your financial situation upon retirement, check on automatic COLA's, also known as cost of living adjustments. These help your pension payments keep up with inflation. See if your pension plans have them, as most plans do not.

>> Consider your health care options.

Medicare coverage does not always satisfy your health care needs and expenses so you better look into it twice, especially when retiring. One way to do so is by making sure that your employer pays a sufficient amount to supplement Medicare.


>>Think About Active Adult and Retirement Communities
Do you plan on living a healthy, active retirement lifestyle? Then start considering the possibilities for a new home in an active retirement community. Many great options exist, and as society's views towards retirement evolve and progress, the whole stereotype of retirement as a "decline" is being replaced with the concept of active adult lifestyles - in other words, retirement is simply the next new exciting phase of life to be enjoyed to the fullest. As such, active adult communities are planned with that positive attitude and lifestyle in mind. They offer many ways for retired adults to interact, connect, and stay active in their golden years.

By looking into all of the above factors, you will surely be secured upon retirement and once you have all the practical considerations out of the way, you will get to enjoy retirement to the fullest.

The Right Retirement Community

Are you thinking of moving into a retirement community and spend your days in comfort? Planning ahead for your retirement is a very prudent endeavor on your part. And choosing the perfect retirement community for you to stay in is one of the most important steps. The following tips will help you determine the retirement community that is just right for you.

Looking around

When you are looking around for a possible retirement residence, it is necessary to visit a few communities and have a set of questions that will help you decide whether you want to stay in a particular community. You should keep a list of your observations about each community and try to picture yourself living there. Retirement communities differ in area location, costs, amenities, services, programs, and size.

Conduct a thorough check of the community

After getting a general background of the area, it is now the time for you to conduct more in-depth research of each community. First, talk with the residents in the community as much as you can and get their input. Having conversations with the people already staying there will give you a clearer picture of the place that should take precedence over any other input.

What are you looking for?

When looking for a retirement community, you should first be able to determine what type of life you want to live. Are you planning to live alone? If so, you should focus your search on communities that provide an environment suitable for people who prefer living alone. There are also congregation type communities wherein each home is provided with an intercom so that the administration can be contacted immediately if there are any problems. This is the most popular type of retirement community and also the most common.

Your lifestyle while in the community

While in the community, you should be able to spend your time with total enjoyment and not feel bored at all. This is important for you to have a meaningful stay there. Thus, when you are searching for the ideal retirement community, take into account if they offer access to your hobby, the sport that you like, and other interests. Determine whether the community has ample space for golf, badminton, billiards, fishing, etc. Many communities provide programs that allow you to learn painting, knitting, computers, and many more. It is also excellent if the community offers trips to cultural sites like museums, concerts, as well as picnics.

Choosing the retirement community is very important. After your years of labor, it is time to rest and pursue the things that you want without the pressure your work. This is time that you have for yourself.

Looking for Retirement Paradise

Your days of toil are almost over and the relaxing and pleasant age of retirement has dawned. Time to make one of the most important decisions of your life: choosing a place for you to enjoy your well-earned rest. It can be pretty daunting to think about it, but with a few pointers you should be able to make the best choice for yourself.

There are a few things to look at. These are your finances, the climate, health care facilities and, of course, distance from your family.

Let us first take a look at your finances. Ask yourself the following questions: can I afford a move from my location? How much money do I have coming and can I support myself while staying at my present home? Will I be able to pay the taxes, both state and local that I will be accruing?

active adult new homes

Take a look at your nest egg and judge what you can afford. If staying at your current residence is cheaper than moving out, by all means stay - you can't enjoy retirement without your hard-earned money. Also, make calculations on what you'll be spending your money on. That way, you can also check if you can afford to move into a decent resort retirement community.

The climate is another factor. Take into consideration the fact that you're not as spry or healthy anymore - the extremes of warmth and cold can do major damage to an old body. Also, think about what you enjoy - if you have hobbies that are specific to a particular climate, it would be best to choose the right one for your pastime. Enjoy fishing or swimming? Maybe a nice coastal residence with a sunny climate would be the best for you. A majority of retirees prefer warmer climates for their retirement days and thus choose to take residence in the southern states. Florida isn't the only senior-friendly state and you have a wide array to choose from.

resort retirement community

The two final factors are the medical facilities and how far away from your relatives do you want to be. Hitting retirement might bring a few new health concerns along the way, and your choice for spending your golden years should have ample access to health care. Check around for a place with a good hospital or a nice local doctor. Relaxing in your twilight years would be better if you had the good health to enjoy them. Also, take into consideration your immediate family. Do they want to visit often? Do you want them to visit often? Do you want to drop by on them frequently?

Try finding an active adult community that is achievable for your financial picture, and accessible for your family's travel budget and easy enough for them to visit.

Know the Right Retirement Location for You

You might be overwhelmed by the number of retirement communities offered across the country. Each of which may provide everything you need or the best comfort and amenities you are looking for. You might be confused on which of the retirement communities you would like to spend your retirement years.

Make a checklist of the things you need to help you narrow down your choices. This will help you to not overlook the important things that you need to consider. First list the things that matter most to you and then follow the secondary things that you are looking for.

Determine the advantages you will get on every retirement community and if it can help you achieve the conveniences you are looking for in a community. A lot of retirement communities offer medical services, house and facility maintenance and leisure and sports. The cost of every new home may also vary depending on the retirement community's location and therefore should be considered.

Determine your needs to make the choosing easier for you. Ask yourself if you would like to live independently or you would like the retirement community to provide for your meals and daily needs. Also, consider the type of faculties you need or the kind of houses you prefer. Make sure that you are aware of the services being offered by each community and what things you do not like.

Your retirement community should be aligned with your own active retirement lifestyle. It should not hinder your lifestyle, but instead help you express it. If you like golf, then choose a community with a world class golf course. You should look for a community that will give access to your favorite activities and hobbies. If you love sports, the active retirement community that you choose should have the facilities for sports and leisure.

Find out if the location is accessible and close to hospitals and other establishments. Also, consider if the location is near your family. The place should be accessible so that your family can visit you from time to time.

Determining these factors will help you with the selection process and will save time and effort. Retirement is a time to enjoy and live your life to the fullest and therefore, the retirement community you choose should be the right one for you.

Active Adult Living: 3 Basic Amenities of Delaware 55 Plus Communities

We are now witnessing the growth of several active adult communities as the retired age group of our population is now seeking better alternatives and choices. Although there are other places that are engaged in aggressive campaigns to entice senior retirees to stay in their retirement community, Delaware is easily the most ideal place for active adult living. One thing that is most notable about the retirement communities in Delaware is that it promotes the image of active adult lifestyle and not the sedentary life of retirement.

We may hear a lot of great things about retirement homes worldwide, however, the best housing communities are those found in Delaware primarily for several reasons. Active adults during these times look out for certain things in a community. These are what select senior retirees go for when they decide to stay in Delaware. The following are the reasons senior retirees prefer to go to Delaware instead of other places.

State of the Art Healthcare Amenities

The availability of modern healthcare facilities is an essential element for an ideal 55 communities. The active adults in Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York are better served by an ideal retirement community with complete healthcare facilities. One can expect the facilities to provide regular checkups on pulse rate, blood pressure, sugar levels and other medical services to ensure that you are in tiptop shape. The upside of having a medical facility within the community is that it provides convenience and immediate medical attention when needed.

Physical Fitness and Exercise Facilities

A major part of active and healthy adult living involves healthy exercise and physical fitness program. Retirement communities in Delaware maintain modern and state of the art exercise facilities especially designed for senior retirees. A perfect retirement community in Delaware boasts of the best and finest physical fitness equipment and amenities that are suited for senior retirees. The best of retirement communities like the ones in Delaware are the top choices for they promote healthy living through a medically-sound training and exercise regimen sponsored by this health facility in premiere 55 and over communities.

Secured Active Adult Community

One of the major concerns of senior retirees is the security provisions of the retirement communities. The active adult communities in Delaware provide the best security provisions one can expect from an ideal retirement community. These retirement communities are provided with reliable security provisions that feature locks on all windows, metal bar barriers and a modern centralized alarm system. This cutting edge facility provides the utmost security that retirees are looking for in a retirement community. These Delaware retirement communities provide 24/7 patrol service to ensure the safety of every resident in the community.

These are the essentials that most of senior retirees look for in a retirement community. In addition to these basic amenities, Delaware retirement communities also provide entertainment and social facilities that are dedicated for retirees who prefer an active adult lifestyle. One can enjoy and spend some leisure time in the picnic areas, clubhouses, theaters and swimming pools. These are the reason why Delaware should be on the top of your list for as one of your ideal 55 communities.

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Article provided by: irinaM

Noble2019s Pond is one of the premiere 55 communities in Delaware that provides a home and a community that promotes safe and healthy active adult living.

Choosing An Active Adult Community

Taking the plunge into retirement or semi-retirement can be daunting enough without making the choice to move into a new home at the same time. But many people age 55 and above are choosing to leave their high maintenance or too large family home to move into active adult communities, which are restricted to households with at least one member age 55 and older.

According to the 2005 Senior Sentiment Survey conducted by Financial Freedom, the nation's largest reverse mortgage lender, the number one reason older adults choose to move into a retirement community is safety. Fifty-four percent of the survey, which included younger seniors age 62-75, said they feel safer in a planned community. Other reasons given for moving into an active adult community include the desire to be with people their own age, the amenities and services provided and the lack of daily demands of owning a home. Most active adult communities feature low-maintenance homes, and usually lawn mowing and snow removal are included in the community fees.

Making the decision to sell the family home and move into a new community requires couples or singles to determine when they want to move, where they want to move and how much they can afford to spend. Active adult communities, which used to be found primarily in the Sun Belt states such as Arizona and Florida, are rapidly growing in popularity all across the nation. Seniors are often choosing to move into retirement communities close to home so that they can be near family and friends, rather than moving out of state. Builders are aware of this and have begun developing active adult communities in every part of the country.

An Internet search can provide a list of hundreds of active adult communities around the country. To narrow the search, older couples and singles should begin by determining whether they want to stay in their home state, look at nearby states or move farther away. In addition to considering the importance of proximity to family or friends when deciding on a retirement location, seniors may want to think about the climate they wish to live in and whether they want to live in or near a city or a smaller town with cultural amenities. For some older adults, owning a home on a golf course, near lakes and rivers for fishing or within driving distance of the ocean is more important. For others, the ability to drive to a city or resort area for short weekends is important.

Obviously, seniors who still intend to work full-time or part-time need to stay within commuting distance of the office, but even seniors who are retired need to spend time discussing lifestyle plans with their spouses. Many seniors choose to take on a new part-time job or do volunteer work in an area of interest. Others want to pursue education in a new field. In any of these scenarios, the location of the new home must be within access of a college or university, a place to pursue volunteer interests and work locations.

Transportation needs are just one of the many considerations which can change over time. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the average age of buyers in active adult communities has dropped over the past ten years from 67 to 61. Younger seniors are usually driving, extending their careers, and are more physically and socially active. As they age, their needs change and they may no longer be able to drive, so public transportation or services provided by the active adult community should be investigated.

Younger seniors, according to the NAHB, don't like to think of themselves as "seniors". But they do want their homes to incorporate what are known as "universal design" features which provide easier accessibility if mobility becomes a problem. Buyers in active adult communities should ask their builders if they have included universal design in their homes and if there are optional features which can enhance future accessibility problems. Universal design elements include raising electrical outlets, lowering light switches and replacing them with rocker switches, using lever handles instead of doorknobs, widening doorways and placing a seat in the shower. Most of these features are appealing to buyers of all ages and they can make it easier to convert a home to accommodate a wheelchair if this should become necessary.

Buyers in active adult communities need to determine when a home will actually be ready for them to move in, as in some developments it can take ten months to a year or more before their home is ready. In addition, if planned amenities such as clubhouse, fitness center or golf course are important, it would be wise to make certain these amenities will be completed as soon as possible. Some developments provide these amenities only after most of the homes have been completed, which could mean a long wait for the first group of residents.

Doing the research on all these topics can help any active adult make the right decision about buying a new home.

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Article provided by Robert Flournoy. Robert is an active adult community internet marketing consultant and founder of My Active Community. For additional information on active adult communities visit his site http://www.myactivecommunity.com.

Active Adult Communities in Orange County

San Francisco in Orange County is a very happening place, as it is a prime tourist spot with popular attractions such as Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. It is known for its beautiful beaches which are seen to attract hundreds of tourists and visitors very single year. Orange County has very well developed cities, seven of which are in the list of the largest 200 cities in the United States. It is known for offering many sport and recreation opportunities such as surfing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, golfing and much more.

The real estate market in Orange County is diverse. It offers some very interesting buying options and new constructions are bringing out well-built Active Adult Communities. There is an age restriction applied for those interested in buying such homes. At least one member of the family should be over 50+, 55+, or 60+. Once a person has reached a senior age, wherein their children leave home and they no longer require the space of a large home, they can consider spending their retirement days in an active adult home community because it will be suitable to their interests. These community homes are developed to offer every kind of space and comfort that senior residents would enjoy.

Active adult communities in Orange County offer plenty of home buying options. Interested buyers will come across advertisements offering spacious and luxurious homes. These homes include the latest features and offer several conveniences for residents. Here is a list of features generally noticed with active adult homes; homes offer access to important amenities such as country clubs and golf courses that are purposely built close or inside the community. Home interior design is according to the requirements of an active adult lifestyle. Opportunities to live with people of the same age and this makes seniors feel more at home.

If you are interested in buying an home in an active adult community look towards builder offering such home in residential property advertisements. You can also consult a reputable real estate agent or a Realtor to help you out here. Active adult home communities offer the ideal environment for those seeking to spend their retirement days in peace and comfort.

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Article provided by Paul Escobedo. Check out Paul's sites at southern California home builders, Orange County real estate and active adult new homes today!

Ten Best Places To Retire

Cool Hubpages post with really interesting suggestions for top ten best places to retire.
Check out the poll down at the bottom too..!

Living in Tranquility and Cooking in Style

A home is said to be where the heart is; this may be so, however, it is also an important fact for someone's home to be built for comfort especially if it is meant for people to spend their retirement years in. Retreat at Carmel has developed a neighborhood to serve this exact purpose for the active adult community.

This place caters to the adult community aged 55 and above; the manors and condominiums it offers can be easily personalized to fit one's taste. It is made to let the active adult community be able to live in both comfort and luxury without compromising quality. The homes at Retreat at Carmel are distinctively designed from the exterior down to every corner of the home's interior. At first glance, the details of the house's appearance is impeccable; the elegant shingles installed will last for 30 years at the least, the door handle set and hinges are custom-chrome and has a decorative finish, the windows are double-hung with insulated Low-E vinyl and the gutters, fascia and frieze are fiberglass which is all finished with good quality paint.

Depending on the resident's taste, one can also opt to have decks on walk-out basements, patios on all slab conditions, rear vinyl sliding door made from Low-E argon and doors with maintenance grid-free front entry doors and side lights. One can be confident that the house is built to last as the construction was executed with the latest innovations, highest quality materials and was created with the best process; the foundations of the house are concrete cast-in-place and the entire abode is installed with good quality house wrap.

Retreat at Carmel did not only focus on the exterior of the houses they offer the active adult community, they also kept in mind the needs of the residents and what would complete their satisfaction meters when they walk in the house. Thus the reason for them to be mindful of how the kitchens were designed to give it not only a sense of class but a sense of optimal utilization as well. The smart kitchen enables a person to prepare the quickest meals to the most festive spreads; as it is very accessible, it is also useful for novice and professional chefs alike. It is equipped with state of the art kitchen fixtures and appliances to maximize utilization.

Among the features are a 30-inch gas range with self-cleaning convection oven feature, a 24.6 cubic foot side-by-side refrigerator and integrated water dispenser, ½ hp garbage disposal, dishwasher with hidden controls which can be set up to a 24-hour delay for programming efficiency and a 1.8-cubic foot microwave oven equipped with sensor cooking controls. The countertops are granite with a bullnose edge in a 4-inch backsplash, the faucets are chrome and the double bowl kitchen sinks are stainless steel, and all the kitchen cabinets are made from maple which includes a 42-inch upper cabinet, dovetail drawers, crown and 1 lower roll-out. The equipment does not only scream class and luxury; it is also economical and energy efficient. Although all these features are already enticing, the residents can still opt to have further modifications and alterations according to their needs.

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Article provided by Gen Wright. For more information on retreat at carmel, visit the Gen's active adult community site.

Gated Golf Communities on HubPages

This is a great read and very informative. It's an article we just found at HubPages discussing the resort retirement new home market and what to look for in gated golf communities. Enjoy!

Choosing a Home in a Resort Retirement Community

As an aging population races toward retirement, new homes designed for those 55 and over are cropping up all over the United States. Resort retirement communities are becoming increasingly popular.

New facilities and planned communities allow retired residents untethered access to incredible recreation facilities, restaurants, social clubs and health-related services. In general, these communities are typically active adult communities or independent living facilities with the privacy and independence of individual units or homes.

Most new housing developments that target aging adults tend to be either active adult communities (AACs) or a blend of AACs with some continuing care facilities, like an on-site doctor or medical facility.

If you're thinking about moving for your retirement, new homes in age-restricted resort communities can be a fantastic option. No more lawn work, lots of activities, and beautiful settings await you. But, how do you choose the right community for you? Keep reading for a breakdown of the criteria you should look for in a retirement community.

How Close is it to the Kids?

If being close to your family is important, then you'll want to look for a home or retirement community that's close to your kids. Another consideration is space. Many units are sold as one-bedroom condominiums or two-bedroom homes. If you're planning to have many grandchildren visit, you may want to look for a community that offers larger units.

How do the Philosophies and Principles Compare to Yours?

Different retirement communities have varying focuses and philosophies. Try to find one that matches your own. If you're an avid yoga lover, for example, and committed to sustainability, then you may not enjoy yourself in a community targeted toward avid golfers and hunters.

Some retirement communities have a "green" focus, others have an "active lifestyle" focus, and still others are committed to social activities and recreation. Make sure you understand the priorities and direction of your community before you commit and move in.

Is It Pedestrian Friendly?

For example, can you walk to a nearby store, or will you always be dependent on a car to pick up a carton of milk? While you may be active and driving now, that may not be the case in 10 or 15 years. Ideally, you want to seek a community that's pedestrian friendly.

Getting Along with Neighbors and Other Residents

One of the best things you can do before you buy into a new retirement community is attend a meeting for potential homeowners. If the community is already built, then ask to join in a social or recreational function.

Look around the room and ask yourself if you could see yourself spending your retirement with these people? Can you envision yourself sharing years of retirement together? Whether or not your home is new and beautiful, enjoying your neighbors is a critical part of enjoying your overall community experience.

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Article contributed by Trevor_R._Price

Is Good Health is a Stretch for Baby Boomers?

Stretching for baby boomers is a key link in maintaining a healthy body and maybe even a healthy outlook.

Do you find it harder and harder to turn in your driver's seat and check the traffic in the lane next to yours? Have you noticed how other people and perhaps you too, twist from the waist when they need to see something around them? Many people experience stress in their neck and shoulders which results in pain, stiffness, headaches, discomfort and definitely, rigidity. Try this experiment now: stand still with your arms at your sides and feet about shoulder width apart. Now, turn your head in an easy motion as far to the left as you can. Can you see the top of your left shoulder without moving your eyes? Slowly move your head to the other side. Can you see the top of your right shoulder and still keep your eyes pointed in the same direction as your nose? If you can turn your head far enough so that your nose lines up with the top of your shoulder, you are pretty flexible and congratulations.

Active Adult Lifestyles

For the rest of us, we will look at the single most important stretching procedure that we can do to make our lives easier. This is a stretch that we can do anywhere and almost anytime, but it is vital that we begin doing it at least once daily and more often would be best. As with all stretches for baby boomers, gentleness is a key. Do not force your neck to turn further than is comfortable. Never use your hands to force your head to turn further than you can turn it on its own. You should feel a stretch of the muscles down the side of your neck opposite from the direction you are facing.

Stand comfortably with your feet apart, hands at your sides and gently turn your head as far left as you can until you feel the stretch on the right side of your neck. Hold the position for 20 seconds. Move your head to the opposite side until you feel the stretch on the left side of your neck and hold for 20 seconds again. Lastly, bring your head back to center and fold it down toward your chest until you feel the back of your neck stretch for another 20 seconds. Repeat the process. Try and do this 2 - 3 times per day and within 2 weeks you will notice a remarkable difference in your rigidity.

Boomer Lifestyles

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Bob_Bannon is the author of the blog http://healthfullboomer.blogspot.com/2009/05/welcome.html and offers suggestions, links and research to encourage the boomer generation to live a life of freedom. He has authored two books and is currently committed to bringing health, at all levels, to his age group, the Baby Boomers. His blog site is full of tips and information about living a full, active and health-full life.

Active Adult Homes in San Diego

San Diego is an attractive city, offering plenty of real estate investment prospects for both commercial and residential interests. One of the many types of housing seen to come up lately in San Diego, are active adult homes. These homes are built to cater to the needs and requirements of a growing active adult population.

Active adult homes coming up for sale in San Diego offers a unique environment for active adults. As baby boomers begin to retire and others who are getting into their retirement age no longer need a big house as their children have grown up and moved away will find active adults home to be an ideal home investment choice.

San Diego active adult homes are built to serve the requirements of active adults. These homes come with special features that offer more comfort and convenience for active adults. Those who buy a home will find themselves living amidst people of their own age. They have access to recreational facilities and can peacefully spend away their retirement age, without worrying what they would do if they become disabled or have a medical condition. This is because active adult homes offer assisted living for those who have a medical condition because of which they need help from others to get by.

Active adult homes in San Diego are rightly priced and offer value for money. Those buying such a home will find their residential environment to be highly conducive to their needs as an active adult. There is no need to be bothered about maintenance activities and even cooking food can be arranged. Active adult home builders list out the many features and advantages in their homes through their advertising materials, so interested buyers can read up on available features before making a decision on what to buy.

If you are interested in buying an active adult home in San Diego, be sure to check out the services of a reputable real estate agent on this. This will ensure that your home purchase formalities are carried through correctly and that you get a home that has value for your money.

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Article contributed by Paul Escobedo. Visit Paul's web resources for more information.

Search San Diego home builders, San Diego real estate and new homes California today!

Article Source:

Arizona's Top 10 Active Adult Retirement Communities

55Places.com announced the top 10 active adult retirement communities in Arizona for 2009. Communities were evaluated based on location, amenities, lifestyle, homes and value. The results were compiled after an extensive two-month review. The information was gathered via community tours and interviews with homeowners, potential buyers and local real estate agents.

Arizona Active Adult Retirement Communities

Identifying the best communities is never an easy task

Factors that are very important to one person may have little relevance to another person.

An oldie but a goodie.

"Identifying the best communities is never an easy task," according to Bill Ness, the president at 55Places.com. "Factors that are very important to one person may have little relevance to another person." Each community was graded on five key factors including the community's location in respect to nearby shopping and entertainment venues, the quality and quantity of amenities, active lifestyle options, desirability of the homes and overall value. Further, the study included both new construction and established "resale" communities.

Some of the popular long-standing communities ranked very high for location and value but low for amenities and home desirability. More newly constructed communities tended to rank higher for home desirability and available amenities but lower for lifestyle options and location.

The results of the study are compiled below:

1. SaddleBrooke - This community has it all. SaddleBrooke by Robson Communities is nestled at the base of the Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of Tucson. It has a rich lineup of amenities including three clubhouses and 63 holes of golf. The 40 and older age-restriction draws a particularly active crowd. There are both new construction and resale homes available.

2. Sun City Festival - Del Webb's latest masterpiece in Buckeye is like an oasis in the desert, literally. Sun City Festival is situated north of the White Tank Mountains, 10 miles beyond any hint of civilization in untainted Arizona desert. The world-class amenities and highly upgraded - yet inexpensive - homes are worth the trek.

3. Mission Royale - Location and price catapulted this Meritage Homes community to number three. Casa Grande, AZ has emerged as a popular outpost that offers big city amenities and small-town charm halfway between Tucson and Phoenix. Mission Royale is renowned for its proximity to great shopping, low home prices and easy access to I-10.

4. Trilogy at Vistancia - For buyers who want the latest in luxurious age-restricted living, look no further than Shea Homes's Trilogy in the Vistancia master planned community northwest of Phoenix. The home desirability and available amenities scored very high with active adults.

5. Solera - Finding nearly new homes in a good location at reasonable prices is difficult to say the least; but Del Webb hit a home run with their popular Solera community in Chandler. It is conveniently located near the many attractions of Phoenix's East Valley.

6. Quail Creek - Robson Communities combined over 20 years of active adult building experience into the design of this gem in Green Valley - 20 miles south of Tucson. Quail Creek offers quality homes at reasonable prices, top-notch amenities and a great lifestyle.

7. Sun City West - "An oldie but a goodie." The 20-year old homes in Sun City West are a bit outdated but it is tough to leave out a community that offers a premier Northwest Valley location, four clubhouses, nine golf courses and over 100 clubs.

8. Province - The National Association of Homebuilders liked this community so much they proclaimed it the best active adult community in 2006. The community offers a good mix of amenities and lifestyle in the quiet and uncongested town of Maricopa, 38 miles south of downtown Phoenix. Even a recent bankruptcy by the builder has not deterred buyers from snatching up bargains in this popular community.

9. Canoa Ranch - Canoa Ranch is part of Green Valley Recreation, which is a consortium of age-restricted neighborhoods in the town of Green Valley that provide residents an unparalleled lineup of amenities and social activities. Canoa Ranch is a Meritage Homes community that offers some of the only new construction homes in town.

10. Sun City Vistoso - This well-established community north of Tucson has an ideal mix of reasonably priced homes, great amenities and an active lifestyle.

For information on other great active adult retirement communities in Arizona and around the country, visit 55Places.com.

About 55places.com:
www.55Places.com is one of the most popular online guides for finding and researching 55+ age-restricted active adult and retirement communities. They are unaffiliated with any builders or developers, and their resourceful, unbiased reviews of hundreds of active adult communities around the country provide a one-stop-shop solution to finding retirement living options.

Boomers and Active Adult Communities

This is a great article that discusses the Boomer demographic, and how Boomers are "redefining home and lifestyle trends" by choosing to buy new homes in active adult communities.

Click here for article: "More Boomers calling Adult Enclaves Homes"

Active Adult Communities and Boomers

We've heard it referred to as "the graying of America", "the Baby Boomer tsunami" and "the pre-senior population". Sociologists and others have been sounding a warning bell for years about the stresses that elderly and maturing Baby Boomers will put on an already stressed system. What they all failed to take into account in all their dire predictions is the fact that this generation is unlike any other that came before. More highly educated, more professional, more active and more diverse than previous generations, this generation has affected everything from the way new products are marketed to the way that new communities are planned and built.

Cherokee County, Georgia, located firmly in the heart of the Sun Belt, is one of the areas already seeing the effects of the maturing Baby Boomer generation. This generation is not so much aging as truly coming into its own, and new home construction in the Cherokee county area reflects that.

Among the most popular Cherokee County new homes are those that are located within some of Georgia's most popular "active adult communities". The term was coined to describe this generation, which sees retirement as a chance to spread their wings and truly enjoy all that life has to offer, and the active adult communities in the area are designed to make the most of Georgia's beautiful weather, stunning scenery and sparkling social and entertainment offerings.


The active adult communities that make up a large portion of Cherokee County new homes are redefining what "retirement communities" are all about. Depending on the particular community, the available homes may include condominiums, detached single family homes, multiple family homes, luxury homes and more. Some are strictly for adults over the age of 55.

Others, recognizing the value of intergenerational community, include populations of all ages. Many are self-contained, with every possible amenity included within their gates. Others don't even have gates, but have been planned to offer all the needed amenities - and many luxuries - within a few miles of every front door in the community.

The most popular new homes are those that feature a special "centerpiece" attraction. That centerpiece may be a world class golf course - or several - or a water park, a lake, a mountain preserve. Many offer the beauty and serenity of nature in surroundings that seem far removed from the city, but are in reality only minutes from downtown Atlanta, the South's largest metropolitan area.

Those new homes offer the best of both worlds - serene surroundings for the spirit and access to all the sparkling amenities of a major metropolitan area. Those living in these active adult communities have access to wonderful entertainment venues, top dining establishments, museums and other cultural offerings as well as some of the best hospitals and medical care in the world.

The communities themselves are reminiscent of the private reserves of the so-called "rich and famous". Residents have access to top-notch athletic and fitness amenities, including private and public golf courses, swimming pools and gyms. Most feature a full slate of activities geared toward entertainment, leisure and education.

Most Active Adult communities include a community center that offers regular activities and classes ranging from calisthenics to yoga, from art fundamentals to sculpture. Many have coupled with area universities and colleges to offer college level courses and degree programs, many of them conducted in the community at the community center.

Living in an active adult community offers many benefits and amenities, but there is one that is seldom mentioned - though it would be a major selling point to the very energy and environmentally conscious members of this generation. Planned communities like Lake Arrowhead are planned for to have small energy footprints.

Unlike the communities of twenty and thirty years ago, these communities are designed to combat the suburban sprawl that has led to so many environmental dangers. Instead, these communities are designed to be harmonious with their natural environments and to contribute to the Earth rather than taking away from it.

The Southern states are expected to see an enormous population increase in the pre-senior and senior communities, and new home builders are working to keep pace with the growing demand for communities geared to adults who intend to enjoy every moment of their lives in active play and activities. The new construction and scheduled new construction in the area includes a number of communities similar to Lake Arrowhead, where country living meets metropolitan convenience in a perfect marriage.

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Article Contributed By: Tim Dillard

Lake Arrowhead is an exceptional residential lake and golf community so close to the conveniences and attractions of the south's largest urban center, yet so very far away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Visit http://www.lakearrowheadga.com for more information.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Active Adult Communities Take the Forefront