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