Wednesday, May 20, 2009

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.



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

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