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: