http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=212 A new resort and retirement community has been proposed for the Wilson area along Lake Ontario. If things go as planned, this will be the largest development to ever take place in the town. Although there are many people who are for this development, there are some that feel the location will compromise the lifestyle of residents who are already living in the area. If approved, this development would be a huge economic boost for the area. The estimated cost of the project is $240, and it would include: an 18 hole golf course, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a 42 room hotel and spa, a gated community featuring more than 800 condominiums, and much more. The development would sit on 460 acres of land, and would generate more than $8 million in property taxes. Developers are referring to the new development as a destination active adult community. They feel that the hotel would suit the needs of people from all walks of life, and that the community itself would be perfect for empty nesters that are looking to move on. The Wilson Town Board has told the developers that they have the go ahead to start the project. As long as this is not blocked, it appears that this development is going to break ground soon. The first phase of the project will start in approximately two years, and would take two years to reach completion. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=210 The baby boomer generation may be getting older, but it does not mean that they have lost all of their sense of taste and style. This is especially true when it comes to the luxury features that are standard on a lot of the newer homes of today. Baby boomers have a very clear picture as to what they want from their retirement, and a lot of them are focusing strongly on luxury items. While it is a known fact that baby boomers are interested in moving into active adult communities, they still want to be able to live with a high level of luxury. Even if they have not been able to do this in the past, when retiring they hope to change this trend and live out their final years in style. The idea of buying a smaller home, perhaps in an active adult community, is very appealing to most baby boomers. This will allow them to better control their finances, and also lessen some of the stress in their life by cutting back on high maintenance chores that go along with keeping up a big home. But one thing is for sure, this generation is not looking to downscale just so they can say that they did it. Instead, they are looking for very specific luxury features from their new home. Nationwide there are approximately 80 million baby boomers. While all of these people are not yet retired, they are moving in that direction. This is most definitely going to put a major strain on the active adult community market as things continue to progress in this direction. This is the main reason that so many developers have decided to try their hand in this arena. Overall, baby boomers are retiring in large numbers, and are in turn looking for new homes that are less maintenance. The solution to their problems can be found in one of the many active adult communities located across the country. But remember, baby boomers have not forgotten about luxury. This is what they want when they retire! 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=211 Many people are intrigued at the thought of moving into an active adult community. And when it comes down to it, they are interested in doing this for a number of different reasons. In addition to upscale luxury features and lower maintenance hassles, active adult communities also offer a setting in which members of the area can get together to meet one another and just hang out. This is why almost every active adult community that is being built also has a plan for a community center. These community centers are what can set one plus 55 community apart from another. Community centers within active adult communities are more or less the centerpiece of the development. Sure, residents are going to spend the majority of their time in their home, but when they are not they will have the ability to take advantage of what the community center has to offer. There are two main reasons that a community center is an important addition to any active adult development. First off, it gives residents a place to go when they do not feel like staying in their home. And on top of this, they will also have the ability to meet other people who have the same interests as them. Additionally, a community center is a place for residents to have fun. While no two centers are the same, most of them have plenty of activities for residents to join in on. This includes swimming, tennis, golf, and much more. The fact of the matter is that a community center is built to meet the needs of the residents. The bottom line is that community centers and active adult communities go together hand in hand. With each new development that pops up, one thing is for sure. There will be a community center that is of the same quality as the homes in the area. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=213 There will always be a large number of people who seek out active adult communities located in Florida, Arizona, and other warm weather states. But while this is never going to change, the fact of the matter is that active adult communities in northern suburbs are also making some noise. This is due in large part to the fact that more and more people are interested in staying close to home. Developers have ceased the opportunity to cater to these people, and that is why so many new active adult communities are being built in northern states. And as the baby boomer generation continues to retire, it is safe to say that these establishments will become even more populated. Take Red Mill Village in Norton, Massachusetts for example. This active adult community has exactly what a baby boomer may be looking for in move. It offers more than one housing option, luxury amenities, close proximity to area attractions and destinations, and a neighborhood look and feel. Many people have tried to make the move to the south, and after a few years have headed back to where they came from. There are many reasons for this sudden change of heart, and when it comes down to it some of these people are simply home sick and want to move back closer to their family. Developers are considering the profits that are available in northern active adult communities located in suburbs. They know that a large number of people will want to stay close to home, but at the same time they will want to move into a more manageable property. With a suburban active adult community this is more than possible for most retirees regardless of age or location. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=214 For many people, moving to an active adult community after retirement is like a dream come true. After many years of hard work and slaving away at their job, these buyers are more ready than ever before to live the good life. And when it comes to this group of people, an active adult community is the best place for them to relax and also get some thrills. There used to be a time when active adult communities were thought of as boring, more or less. But although this is still a conception, the fact of the matter is that nothing could be further from the truth. Today's active adult communities are anything but boring and for new developments to compete they have to offer more than ever before. There are two basic ideas around an active adult community. First off, the homes that are offered in active adult communities are geared towards older buyers. This means that the master bedrooms are usually on the first floor, there is a high level of luxury, and exterior maintenance is kept to a minimum The other thing to consider when it comes to an active adult community is the part of the community that does not have to do with your home. This includes things such as a golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool, an exercise room, and much more. Remember, you want to stay active after you retire. Finding a community that offers the activities that you like is quite important. All in all, you do not need to slow down after you turn 50. Instead, look into buying a home in an active adult community. This may be the best decision that you ever make! 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=215 So you are interested in moving into an active adult community after you retire? If so, you are probably well aware of the communities in your area as well as those in other popular states such as Florida and Arizona. But guess what? These are not your only choices when it comes to active adult communities. Believe it or not, many people have found that moving to Mexico is the best choice for them. There are many reasons as to why Mexico is creeping into the minds of more and more baby boomers. First off, the weather in areas such as Puerto Vallarta is beyond perfect. If you are looking for warm weather day in and day out, an active adult community in Mexico may be what you have been dreaming of. Accessibility is also another reason that active adult communities in Mexico are becoming more popular. In the past, flights did not travel in and out of the area as regularly as they do today. This makes it easy for people to get to and from their home, and also schedule visits from out of town family and friends. And of course, there are many options as far as active adult communities in Mexico are concerned. You can find everything from a low priced condo to a more expensive community on the beach. No matter what your budget or lifestyle needs, there is a good chance that you will find what you are looking for at a Mexico active adult community. Finally, do not forget that communities in Mexico are sure to keep you active. They offer everything that American active adult communities have, plus much more in some areas. With Mexico offering more and more active adult communities, expect baby boomers to at least consider a move to this country upon retirement. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=216 For many baby boomers, retirement is a time that is going to be quite hectic to say the least. You will be working hard to make sure that your finances are in order, and that you have everything set up for a good life. But with that being said, this can be a bit overwhelming at times. This is especially true when it comes to moving from the house that you have lived in for so long. And even though you do not have to move, a lot of baby boomers feel that an active adult community is probably the best thing for them. Instead of walking into the trap of being overpowered by too many decisions, you should instead start planning your move to an active adult community years in advance. Obviously, you will not want to make the move until you are ready but you should at least have an idea of what you want to do. This way, when the time comes you will be able to make a move on the spot without having to think twice. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when looking ahead to your retirement days. First off, you should consider the economical advantages of moving into an active adult community. If you have a large home right now with a large mortgage payment you may be able to get out from underneath this. A move to an active adult community could free up money each month that you never even think about. Another consideration is that an active adult community will greatly change the way that you live. When you move into an active adult community you will have the chance to live a stress free lifestyle. You will never again have to worry about removing snow from your driveway or cutting the grass. Does it get any better than that? Thinking ahead will give you a jumpstart when you decide to retire. When you already have a plan in mind, your move to an active adult community will be much easier on you. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=217 The Pointe at Turnbury, located in Monmouth Junction, recently celebrated its grand opening. This active adult community is one of the nicest in the area, and this is obvious by the way that people are clamoring to get a closer look. The grand opening celebration was a huge success as a large number of sales associates and home buyers showed up to check out the new development. The Pointe at Turnbury offers 190 town homes situated in a gated community. It is safe to say that these are not going to last long. The Pointe at Turnbury offers plenty to anybody who is interested in moving into the community. For those who are interested in staying fit, this active adult community offers a heating pool, putting greens, bocce courts, and much more. The Pointe at Turnbury also features a state of the art clubhouse that features a fitness center, yoga rooms, and a salon. In addition to the features inside, The Pointe at Turnbury is also located in close proximity to parks, dining shopping, and other activities. This makes it the perfect choice for anybody who wants to live in an active adult community, but does not want to give up their life. The Pointe at Turnbury is garnering a lot of attention, and soon enough the development will be sold out. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=218 Bridgewater has come to be known as one of the top areas in the country for senior housing communities. This is set to increase in the near future if two senior communities get the go ahead from the Board of Adjustment. One of the proposed developments is set to take over the land of Bound Brook Driving Range. If approval is given, a 70 unit housing complex for seniors will be built in the area. The other proposal is for a 60 unit community located on approximately 7.5 acres alongside Route 28. According to township numbers, there are more than 1,500 senior housing units in the area at this time. This includes everything from independent and assisted living to active retirement communities. A lot of towns all over the country are interested in constructing active retirement community and other like developments. These go a long way in generating revenue, but at the same time active retirement communities do not increase traffic or bring additional children into the area. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=219 For those people interested in moving into an active adult community there are many decisions that lie ahead. After all, making this move is a very big one that needs to be taken seriously. So before you decide to jump into a move to an active adult community, you should first ask yourself a few questions. This way you can be ensured that you make the best decision for your overall situation. Here are five questions that you should ask yourself while shopping for a home in an active adult community. They will help to guide you in the right direction. 1. Is the community age restricted, or is it more or less for active seniors? This is important because some active adult communities are also known as plus 55 communities. So obviously, if you are not of age you will not be able to purchase a home in one of these communities. 2. If there are age restrictions, what happens if somebody under this age inherits the property? You need to consider this fact because it will probably come up sometime in the future after you have passed on. It is important that you plan for this. 3. Is it more important for you to have the best home or be in close proximity to things such as your family, entertainment venues, etc? Remember, there are many active adult communities to choose from; with each one being in a different part of the country. 4. What activities are offered at an active adult community? Better yet, what activities that you like are offered at a community? This includes things such as golf, tennis, basketball, etc. 5. Are the homes in the community perfect for your situation? Do they give you what you need? Even though active adult communities have a lot to offer, you will spend the majority of your time in your home. 2007-08-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=168 Every year the National Association of Home Builders sponsors an International Builders' Show catering active adult community developers. This trade show attracts more than 100,000 guests each year, and features many events and programs that are focused on the plus 50 housing industry. With so many people becoming interested in this type of housing it is safe to say that this trade show will only continue to grow in size over the next few years. One of the highlights of this show is an ask the expert segment when industry professionals answer questions on how to sell to the active adult community. During this program developers have the ability to ask experts any questions that pertain to getting in touch with this sometimes hard to reach community. While this may not be the only program to take place during the show, it is one of the most popular year in and year out. By 2014 the number of people who are of the age of 55 or older is expected to reach 85 million. This is a targeted demographic that developers can tap into as a way of increasing profits, and also increasing business. Although not all of these people will move into a plus 55 community, a large percentage of them will at least consider making the leap. Every year this trade show has something special to offer this niche of the housing industry. Developers from all over the world frequent this show, and over the next few years it will be very popular. This trend will more than likely hold steady until at least a few years after 2014. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=169 The baby boomer generation may be getting older, but it does not mean that they have lost all of their sense of taste and style. This is especially true when it comes to the luxury features that are standard on a lot of the newer homes of today. Baby boomers have a very clear picture as to what they want from their retirement, and a lot of them are focusing strongly on luxury items. While it is a known fact that baby boomers are interested in moving into active adult communities, they still want to be able to live with a high level of luxury. Even if they have not been able to do this in the past, when retiring they hope to change this trend and live out their final years in style. The idea of buying a smaller home, perhaps in an active adult community, is very appealing to most baby boomers. This will allow them to better control their finances, and also lessen some of the stress in their life by cutting back on high maintenance chores that go along with keeping up a big home. But one thing is for sure, this generation is not looking to downscale just so they can say that they did it. Instead, they are looking for very specific luxury features from their new home. Nationwide there are approximately 80 million baby boomers. While all of these people are not yet retired, they are moving in that direction. This is most definitely going to put a major strain on the active adult community market as things continue to progress in this direction. This is the main reason that so many developers have decided to try their hand in this arena. Overall, baby boomers are retiring in large numbers, and are in turn looking for new homes that are less maintenance. The solution to their problems can be found in one of the many active adult communities located across the country. But remember, baby boomers have not forgotten about luxury. This is what they want when they retire! 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=170 The 50+ Housing Council is once again sponsoring one of the largest home builder trade shows in the country again this year. Any developer that is interested in active adult communities or similar developments will surely be on hand again this year. All in all, the trade show is expecting to draw in at least 100,000 visitors from all over the world. There are many educational programs that will take place at the trade show this year. All of these programs are meant to help industry professional's better deal with the active adult population. While there are nearly 80 million baby boomers in the United States today, this number is on the rise and will reach 85 million by the year 2014. Just a few of the more popular programs include: How to get started in active adult community housing, active adult community advertisement reviews, active adult community architectural reviews. All of these programs are led by professionals who have years of experience within the active adult industry. Not only will these professionals be presenting material to everybody in attendance, but they will also field questions from the audience. This allows everybody to touch on the areas that concern them the most. This trade show is beneficial to everybody in attendance, as well as the many people who will be interested in moving into active adult communities in the years to come. It is safe to say that this is one of the most popular trade shows of the year in the United States. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=171 For the last 35 years or so homes in the United States have been growing in size as each year goes by. Younger buyers were enthusiastic about showing off what they can afford, and this trend still holds true today to a certain extent. But with that being said, it appears that this trend is set to die down sooner rather than later. The latest industry trends have shown that home sizes have pretty much hit a peak, and they will now begin to level off and even decline a bit. In today's day and age buyers are more concerned with the neighborhood that they are moving into, as well as the features that a home has to offer. In other words, size is not everything anymore in the housing game. Buyers are set on the fact that bigger does not necessarily mean better; especially if the bigger homes lack the modern features that they are looking for. Another reason that home sizes are on the decline nationwide is because more and more baby boomers are nearing retirement age. When this happens, these people usually begin to shop for a home that is smaller. This allows them to be able to more easily handle maintenance, and other details that can become a hassle with a bigger home. For this reason, developers are starting to build more and more active adult communities as the years go by. And of course, the homes in these communities are smaller than ones that are not. Again, this is meant to cater to the needs of people who are retiring. By 2015 industry professionals feel that the average size of a new home will peak at approximately 2,400 square feet, and hold steady at this number for many years to follow. But just because the size of homes is expected to level off does not mean that designs are going to do the same. Developers will have their hands full trying to cater to the ever changing wants and need of buyers. Not only do new home buyers want a modern look, but they also want to take advantage of the many luxury features that have become available as of late. This also holds true for baby boomers. Although they are looking to downsize, they still want to live a life of luxury. Overall, the days when bigger homes were better are now numbered. Home sizes are going to level off in the near future, and buyers are going to continue to shop based on other needs such as luxury features and convenience. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=172 Many people are intrigued at the thought of moving into an active adult community. And when it comes down to it, they are interested in doing this for a number of different reasons. In addition to upscale luxury features and lower maintenance hassles, active adult communities also offer a setting in which members of the area can get together to meet one another and just hang out. This is why almost every active adult community that is being built also has a plan for a community center. These community centers are what can set one plus 55 community apart from another. Community centers within active adult communities are more or less the centerpiece of the development. Sure, residents are going to spend the majority of their time in their home, but when they are not they will have the ability to take advantage of what the community center has to offer. There are two main reasons that a community center is an important addition to any active adult development. First off, it gives residents a place to go when they do not feel like staying in their home. And on top of this, they will also have the ability to meet other people who have the same interests as them. Additionally, a community center is a place for residents to have fun. While no two centers are the same, most of them have plenty of activities for residents to join in on. This includes swimming, tennis, golf, and much more. The fact of the matter is that a community center is built to meet the needs of the residents. The bottom line is that community centers and active adult communities go together hand in hand. With each new development that pops up, one thing is for sure. There will be a community center that is of the same quality as the homes in the area 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=173 If you are searching for an active retirement community to move into you have many decisions waiting on you. Do you know what some of them are? If so, you are well ahead of the game at this point. But even if you do not know what to look for when choosing an active retirement community there is nothing to be afraid of. The fact of the matter is that a lot of people go into this process without having any clue as to what is going on. And in the end, the majority of them end up fine as long as they take their time along the way. So what are you going to look for when searching out active retirement communities? One thing that you will definitely want to consider is where the community is located. This has a lot to do with the actual state that it is in, but not as much as the more specific location. Do you need a bit more detail on this? Basically speaking, you need to choose an active retirement community that is close to areas that suit your lifestyle. For instance, just because you move into an active retirement community does not mean that you actually have to stay completely away from the workforce. If you are going to continue to work you will probably want to choose an active retirement community that is close to your employer. This way you will not have a long commute on your hands everyday. Another thing to consider is how close the community is to convenience establishments such as the mall, grocery and drug stores, entertainment venues, and much more. If you are going to be miles away from the closest store you may want to reconsider a particular active retirement community. After all, just because you have moved does not mean that you are going to stop living. In fact, the exact opposite is happening. Now that you are done with most of your responsibilities you will want to be close to activities that you can take part in on a regular basis. Choosing an active retirement community is not always the easiest thing to do. There are many decisions to make, and even after you have done your research you will still have details that are left unclear. The good thing is that if you consider location you should be able to find a perfect active retirement community. Just as the old saying goes; location is everything when it comes to buying real estate. This holds true in many ways when it comes to active retirement communities. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=174 Many people think that the name 'active retirement communities' is nothing more than that. But the fact of the matter is that when you move into an active retirement community you really will have the chance to stay as active as you wish. Of course, this is up to you but the option is there if you wish. This alone is what has made active retirement communities so popular over the last few years. Gone are the days when retiring meant that you had to spend most of your time bored out of your mind. So how do active retirement communities keep you moving? There is no set answer to this question due to the fact that every community is different than the next. Some of them offer a lot of activities, whereas others miss the boat in some areas. The fact of the matter is that this is something that you will have to look into on your own. You are the only one that knows what type of activities you like, and if they will fit in with your current lifestyle choices. With that being said, there are many standard activities that you will be able to take part in at the majority of these communities. For instance, most active retirement communities offer sports such as tennis, golf, swimming, or simply walking on a cleared path. If you like to stay active by way of sports seek out an active retirement community that has a lot to offer in this area. Many active retirement communities are based around golf courses to meet the needs of a large number of people. In addition to physical activities, retirement communities also promote interaction between the residents. Most of these communities have a meeting place where you can lounge, and in turn meet others who live in the same plan. For a lot of people this is very important because they do not want to live alone day in and day out. So even if their home is empty, they can always head to a social area to get in touch with others. So yes, you do stay active if you live in an active retirement community. Of course, you will have to be committed to staying active, but at the very least you have the opportunity to do so. Just make sure that before you decide on any active retirement community that you know what you are looking for. If you like to golf find a community that is near a golf course; the same goes for any other activity. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=175 Although baby boomers are getting to the age where retirement is a real possibility, builders are not too optimistic. Although they are aware that plus 55 communities have become quite popular, it appears that a lot of baby boomers are just fine living in their current home. In other words, they are comfortable and it would take quite a bit in order to persuade them to move. More than 75 percent of people in the 55 to 64 age range are happy with their current living arrangements. This is not to say that they are going to stay put, but this is something that builders most take into consideration. After all, if they build a plus 55 community they have to make sure that they can fill the homes sooner rather than later. If not, the project will be a bust and millions of dollars could possibly be wasted away. While this is a developing problem, builders are considering what they can do to get around this. For instance, they have found that most people in this age range rate safety high on their list of features in a home and community. For this reason, homes in plus 55 communities are coming equipped with security systems and more and more of them are gated. This is a trend to keep a close eye on as a large percentage of baby boomers reach retirement age. Builders are going to continue looking into developing plus 55 communities, but they will have to be much more careful about what they are doing. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=176 There are many areas of the country that are known for offering a lot to senior citizens as far as housing is concerned. But when it comes down to it, Anne Arundel County may be the king. At this time there are over 5,000 homes planned for construction or already in the process of being built. Out of these, approximately 60 percent of them have restrictions that do not allow residents under the age of 55. These are known as plus 55 communities. While this may sound like a good thing for seniors, county officials are a bit worried that this is going to lead to an imbalance in the age population. After all, if things continue in this direction the county will be more or less dominated by those that are over the age of 55. Although plus 55 communities have always been popular in Anne Arundel County, zoning rules surrounding local school district capacities are driving developers to cater to more and more active adults. Once a school has reached its capacity, developers cannot move forward with unrestricted building projects. In turn, building plus 55 communities is the next best option. The only other thing that they can do is wait around for the capacity to open up, but there is no way of saying how long this could take. Builders in the area are making quick money on the plus 55 communities that they build. With baby boomers looking for a place to settle down after retirement, these communities are filling up faster than ever before. It will be interesting to see if county officials do anything about this issue, or simply keep a close watch on the progression of this market. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=177 Although baby boomers are getting to the age where retirement is a real possibility, builders are not too optimistic. Although they are aware that plus 55 communities have become quite popular, it appears that a lot of baby boomers are just fine living in their current home. In other words, they are comfortable and it would take quite a bit in order to persuade them to move. More than 75 percent of people in the 55 to 64 age range are happy with their current living arrangements. This is not to say that they are going to stay put, but this is something that builders most take into consideration. After all, if they build a plus 55 community they have to make sure that they can fill the homes sooner rather than later. If not, the project will be a bust and millions of dollars could possibly be wasted away. While this is a developing problem, builders are considering what they can do to get around this. For instance, they have found that most people in this age range rate safety high on their list of features in a home and community. For this reason, homes in plus 55 communities are coming equipped with security systems and more and more of them are gated. This is a trend to keep a close eye on as a large percentage of baby boomers reach retirement age. Builders are going to continue looking into developing plus 55 communities, but they will have to be much more careful about what they are doing. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=178 Active adult communities are not the same as they once were. There was a time when these were nothing more than a place where seniors could live in the same community. While this is still the case, active adult communities now offer much more than just that. If you have never taken the time to see what these new communities are all about you may be missing out on something that is quite remarkable. The way that this industry has changed as of late is very interesting to say the least. So what is different about the new wave of active adult communities? Simply put, the new developments take the word 'active' to the new level. Developers know that seniors want to stay active, so they have found new way of doing this. They are offering advanced activities such as swimming, tennis, basketball, hiking, golf, and much more. Sure, these things have always been around, but in today's active adult communities they are more prevalent than ever before. This alone is making the older active adult communities much more outdated. In turn, people are starting to migrate away from these and into communities that have more to offer. The actual homes located in active adult communities are also more luxurious than ever before. Developers are putting a lot of time into designing homes that suit the needs of the older crowd. This includes amenities such as first floor living, free removal of snow, free lawn maintenance, and much more. When a person moves into an active adult community they want their life to be a bit easier; and of course they still want to have fun. This is what developers are thinking about when building the new housing units. Finally, active adult communities are no longer for warm weather states only. Do you remember the days when the only active adult communities were located in Florida? While Florida still leads the country in this department they are getting a lot of competition from other states. And the fact of the matter is that the developers in northern states are more than holding their own. Since more and more retirees want to stay close to their family, they are searching for active adult communities in their local area. As you can see, active adult communities are changing at this time. They will always be basically the same, but when it comes down to it they are offering more luxury, better exercise options, and much more. This has gone a long way in more people considering a move to one of these communities. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=179 Many people are intrigued at the thought of moving into an active adult community. And when it comes down to it, they are interested in doing this for a number of different reasons. In addition to upscale luxury features and lower maintenance hassles, active adult communities also offer a setting in which members of the area can get together to meet one another and just hang out. This is why almost every active adult community that is being built also has a plan for a community center. These community centers are what can set one plus 55 community apart from another. Community centers within active adult communities are more or less the centerpiece of the development. Sure, residents are going to spend the majority of their time in their home, but when they are not they will have the ability to take advantage of what the community center has to offer. There are two main reasons that a community center is an important addition to any active adult development. First off, it gives residents a place to go when they do not feel like staying in their home. And on top of this, they will also have the ability to meet other people who have the same interests as them. Additionally, a community center is a place for residents to have fun. While no two centers are the same, most of them have plenty of activities for residents to join in on. This includes swimming, tennis, golf, and much more. The fact of the matter is that a community center is built to meet the needs of the residents. The bottom line is that community centers and active adult communities go together hand in hand. With each new development th 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=180 Although baby boomers are getting to the age where retirement is a real possibility, builders are not too optimistic. Although they are aware that plus 55 communities have become quite popular, it appears that a lot of baby boomers are just fine living in their current home. In other words, they are comfortable and it would take quite a bit in order to persuade them to move. More than 75 percent of people in the 55 to 64 age range are happy with their current living arrangements. This is not to say that they are going to stay put, but this is something that builders most take into consideration. After all, if they build a plus 55 community they have to make sure that they can fill the homes sooner rather than later. If not, the project will be a bust and millions of dollars could possibly be wasted away. While this is a developing problem, builders are considering what they can do to get around this. For instance, they have found that most people in this age range rate safety high on their list of features in a home and community. For this reason, homes in plus 55 communities are coming equipped with security systems and more and more of them are gated. This is a trend to keep a close eye on as a large percentage of baby boomers reach retirement age. Builders are going to continue looking into developing plus 55 communities, but they will have to be much more careful about what they are doing. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=181 There are many areas of the country that are known for offering a lot to senior citizens as far as housing is concerned. But when it comes down to it, Anne Arundel County may be the king. At this time there are over 5,000 homes planned for construction or already in the process of being built. Out of these, approximately 60 percent of them have restrictions that do not allow residents under the age of 55. These are known as plus 55 communities. While this may sound like a good thing for seniors, county officials are a bit worried that this is going to lead to an imbalance in the age population. After all, if things continue in this direction the county will be more or less dominated by those that are over the age of 55. Although plus 55 communities have always been popular in Anne Arundel County, zoning rules surrounding local school district capacities are driving developers to cater to more and more active adults. Once a school has reached its capacity, developers cannot move forward with unrestricted building projects. In turn, building plus 55 communities is the next best option. The only other thing that they can do is wait around for the capacity to open up, but there is no way of saying how long this could take. Builders in the area are making quick money on the plus 55 communities that they build. With baby boomers looking for a place to settle down after retirement, these communities are filling up faster than ever before. It will be interesting to see if county officials do anything about this issue, or simply keep a close watch on the progression of this market. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=182 Choosing an active retirement community is something that you should take very seriously. After all, there is nothing funny about spending money on something just to find out that you do not like your purchase. For this reason, before you buy a home in an active retirement community you should really take the time to look into both the pros and cons of the decision. This is the only way to ensure that you do not make any costly mistakes. One of the most important steps when searching for an active retirement community is deciding on which state you are interested in living in. Remember, there are thousands of active retirement communities from one side of the country to the next. Some states have more of these than others, but all in all each one has at the very least a few options to choose from. And when you consider larger, more popular states such as Florida you will come across hundreds of active retirement communities in the same area. Here are a few details that you can consider when choosing the best state to search for active retirement communities. 1. You need to make a decision early on as to whether or not you want to live in an active retirement community close to your current home, or if you want a total change of scenery. This first step will get you off the blocks, and subsequently moving in the right direction. 2. Write down a list of both pros and cons for all the states that you are considering. For example, one of the biggest benefits of active retirement communities in southern states is that you will not have to deal with a lot of cold weather and snow. But with that being said, maybe you like the winter season. This is only one thing to consider, but a very big detail to say the least. 3. Take into consideration where your family lives. If you spend a lot of time with them and plan on doing so when you retire, it only makes sense to search for active retirement communities that are close to them. For some that may mean staying in the same state, and for other it could mean a move of thousands of miles. Do not make the mistake of moving away from your family just to learn that you cannot live without them. This is a common mistake, and one that can be costly in both time and money. Hopefully this will give you a better idea on how to choose the best state to retire in. Although these three details will be able to guide you when searching for active retirement communities, they will not be able to give you everything that you need. Instead, you will have to put in plenty of time looking at your own personal situation and how this will affect your decision. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=183 Although baby boomers are getting to the age where retirement is a real possibility, builders are not too optimistic. Although they are aware that plus 55 communities have become quite popular, it appears that a lot of baby boomers are just fine living in their current home. In other words, they are comfortable and it would take quite a bit in order to persuade them to move. More than 75 percent of people in the 55 to 64 age range are happy with their current living arrangements. This is not to say that they are going to stay put, but this is something that builders most take into consideration. After all, if they build a plus 55 community they have to make sure that they can fill the homes sooner rather than later. If not, the project will be a bust and millions of dollars could possibly be wasted away. While this is a developing problem, builders are considering what they can do to get around this. For instance, they have found that most people in this age range rate safety high on their list of features in a home and community. For this reason, homes in plus 55 communities are coming equipped with security systems and more and more of them are gated. This is a trend to keep a close eye on as a large percentage of baby boomers reach retirement age. Builders are going to continue looking into developing plus 55 communities, but they will have to be much more careful about what they are doing. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=184 There are more than 75 million baby boomers in the United States, and each day 8,000 of them turn 60. This ever growing demographic has not gone unnoticed about real estate developers. This is the reason why there are so many active adult communities being constructed all over the country. After all, as more people reach this age the strain on this sector of the real estate industry is only going to continue to grow. But with that in mind, developers of these active adult communities must remember that not all housing is the same. In fact, the baby boomers of today are looking for a much different set of standards than their parents. Today's baby boomers are most interested in active adult communities that offer details such as first floor master bedrooms, home office space, an easy to maintain exterior, and a wide range of activities. Gone are the days when shuffleboard was enough to keep people happy. Today's baby boomers want to play golf, tennis, and much more in their spare time. Developers must tune into what this new generation of buyers is looking for. If they do not, they are taking the great risk of spending millions on an active adult community that nobody will want to live in. Most developers have noticed this trend, and are starting to build active adult communities that fit in with what people want. Over the next five years active adult communities will be as popular as ever before, and the developers who built with buyers in mind will be able to reap the rewards of this trend. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=185 There are many areas of the country that are known for offering a lot to senior citizens as far as housing is concerned. But when it comes down to it, Anne Arundel County may be the king. At this time there are over 5,000 homes planned for construction or already in the process of being built. Out of these, approximately 60 percent of them have restrictions that do not allow residents under the age of 55. These are known as plus 55 communities. While this may sound like a good thing for seniors, county officials are a bit worried that this is going to lead to an imbalance in the age population. After all, if things continue in this direction the county will be more or less dominated by those that are over the age of 55. Although plus 55 communities have always been popular in Anne Arundel County, zoning rules surrounding local school district capacities are driving developers to cater to more and more active adults. Once a school has reached its capacity, developers cannot move forward with unrestricted building projects. In turn, building plus 55 communities is the next best option. The only other thing that they can do is wait around for the capacity to open up, but there is no way of saying how long this could take. Builders in the area are making quick money on the plus 55 communities that they build. With baby boomers looking for a place to settle down after retirement, these communities are filling up faster than ever before. It will be interesting to see if county officials do anything about this issue, or simply keep a close watch on the progression of this market. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=186 So you want to buy a unit in an active adult community? If so, you need to make sure that you know what you are getting. After all, developers are working harder than ever before to build active adult communities that will suit the needs of today's buyers. For this reason, you should take as much time as you need when making a decision. This is the only way to ensure that you get a property in the best location with the features that you are most interested in. The best way to become acquainted with all your options is to tour several active adult communities. During a tour you will be able to ask questions, become familiar with the area, and get an overall better feel as to what is offered. When an active adult community begins to sell homes they usually offer an open house event in order to create a stir. If you can visit during this time you will be accompanied by many others who are also interested in buying. But of course, you can always schedule a private showing as well so that you can get a personal look at several different units. While taking a tour is a good idea, you need to make sure that you do not stop after the first active adult community. If you only look at one community you will never really know if you are getting what is best for you. As a general rule of thumb, tour at least three active adult communities and then make your decision based on what you see. All in all, a tour is 100 percent necessary before you purchase a home in an active adult community. This will allow you to get more information on the home you will be living in as well as the community as a whole. If you take a few tours there is a good chance that you will choose the best active adult community for your lifestyle 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=187 Active adult communities are not the same as they once were. There was a time when these were nothing more than a place where seniors could live in the same community. While this is still the case, active adult communities now offer much more than just that. If you have never taken the time to see what these new communities are all about you may be missing out on something that is quite remarkable. The way that this industry has changed as of late is very interesting to say the least. So what is different about the new wave of active adult communities? Simply put, the new developments take the word 'active' to the new level. Developers know that seniors want to stay active, so they have found new way of doing this. They are offering advanced activities such as swimming, tennis, basketball, hiking, golf, and much more. Sure, these things have always been around, but in today's active adult communities they are more prevalent than ever before. This alone is making the older active adult communities much more outdated. In turn, people are starting to migrate away from these and into communities that have more to offer. The actual homes located in active adult communities are also more luxurious than ever before. Developers are putting a lot of time into designing homes that suit the needs of the older crowd. This includes amenities such as first floor living, free removal of snow, free lawn maintenance, and much more. When a person moves into an active adult community they want their life to be a bit easier; and of course they still want to have fun. This is what developers are thinking about when building the new housing units. Finally, active adult communities are no longer for warm weather states only. Do you remember the days when the only active adult communities were located in Florida? While Florida still leads the country in this department they are getting a lot of competition from other states. And the fact of the matter is that the developers in northern states are more than holding their own. Since more and more retirees want to stay close to their family, they are searching for active adult communities in their local area. As you can see, active adult communities are changing at this time. They will always be basically the same, but when it comes down to it they are offering more luxury, better exercise options, and much more. This has gone a long way in more people considering a move to one of these communities. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=188 A new resort and retirement community has been proposed for the Wilson area along Lake Ontario. If things go as planned, this will be the largest development to ever take place in the town. Although there are many people who are for this development, there are some that feel the location will compromise the lifestyle of residents who are already living in the area. If approved, this development would be a huge economic boost for the area. The estimated cost of the project is $240, and it would include: an 18 hole golf course, indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a 42 room hotel and spa, a gated community featuring more than 800 condominiums, and much more. The development would sit on 460 acres of land, and would generate more than $8 million in property taxes. Developers are referring to the new development as a destination active adult community. They feel that the hotel would suit the needs of people from all walks of life, and that the community itself would be perfect for empty nesters that are looking to move on. The Wilson Town Board has told the developers that they have the go ahead to start the project. As long as this is not blocked, it appears that this development is going to break ground soon. The first phase of the project will start in approximately two years, and would take two years to reach completion. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=189 There will always be a large number of people who seek out active adult communities located in Florida, Arizona, and other warm weather states. But while this is never going to change, the fact of the matter is that active adult communities in northern suburbs are also making some noise. This is due in large part to the fact that more and more people are interested in staying close to home. Developers have ceased the opportunity to cater to these people, and that is why so many new active adult communities are being built in northern states. And as the baby boomer generation continues to retire, it is safe to say that these establishments will become even more populated. Take Red Mill Village in Norton, Massachusetts for example. This active adult community has exactly what a baby boomer may be looking for in move. It offers more than one housing option, luxury amenities, close proximity to area attractions and destinations, and a neighborhood look and feel. Many people have tried to make the move to the south, and after a few years have headed back to where they came from. There are many reasons for this sudden change of heart, and when it comes down to it some of these people are simply home sick and want to move back closer to their family. Developers are considering the profits that are available in northern active adult communities located in suburbs. They know that a large number of people will want to stay close to home, but at the same time they will want to move into a more manageable property. With a suburban active adult community this is more than possible for most retirees regardless of age or location. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=190 Why buy a home in an active adult community? This is a question that is asked time and time again by people who are nearing retirement age, or have already reached this point in their life. The fact of the matter is that an active adult community is not right for everybody. There are some people who have a great time after they move to an active adult community and others who feel that it was a mistake. In order to avoid any mistakes your best bet is to learn as much about active adult communities as possible before you actually make a move. Here are three reasons that you should consider buying a unit in an active adult community. Not all of these will suit you as a person, but they should at least open your eyes to the advantages and benefits. 1. When you live in an active adult community you will be able to relax more than you ever thought possible. The great thing about a house in one of these communities is that they were built with older people in mind. This means that the layout of your home will cater to your needs, and this extends to the outside as well. When you live in an active adult community you will never again have to worry about cutting the grass or clipping the hedges. And of course, if your active adult community is in a cold state you can get rid of the snow blower because that is taken care of as well. 2. One of the main goals of an active adult community is to keep people moving even as they get older. If you stay in your current home you may have to travel several miles to get to a swimming pool, tennis courts, and golf course. But with most active adult communities all of these things are on site. You will have the ability to get all of the exercise that you need without having to ever leave your actual community. This convenience factor alone is enough reason to look into an active adult community. 3. The homes in active adult communities are top notch, and in many cases offer a high level of luxury. The newer developments offer the best of the best in kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, and much more. When you move into a unit in an active adult community you can expect that your home is going to be very nice. And of course, you can shop around the different communities in order to make sure that you get what is right for you and your situation. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=191 If you are thinking about moving into an active adult community you are not alone. Over the last five years more and more people have decided to look into this option. But just like any other real estate option, there are both pros and cons that go along with moving into an active adult community. You need to make a list of both so that you can end up with the decision that is right for you. Pros The biggest benefit of an active adult community is that your life will get immediately more simple. You will no longer have to cut grass, remove snow, or worry about the upkeep of your yard. This is a great benefit that draws in a lot of people. Another benefit of living in an active adult community is that you will have the chance to meet other people who are the same age as you. This is a big advantage if you will be moving their alone, or simply want to make some new friends. It is much easier to meet new people when you know that they have the same interests as you. Also, do not forget that the homes in active adult communities are usually among the nicest in the area. While some older communities may be a bit more run down, this is never the case with newer developments. Developers take a lot of time to make sure that each unit of an active adult community is built to suit older folks. Cons One thing that keeps people away from active adult communities is the fact that they may have to move far away from their family. While this used to be the case quite a few years ago, things are no longer quite as bad. Chances are that no matter what state you live in that you can find an active adult community that is close by. This allows anybody and everybody to make the move and still stay close to their loved ones. Another problem for some people is that they simply do not want to leave their comfort zone. A lot of people know what is around them, are comfortable with the neighborhood, and simply do not want to leave. This is an issue that developers have to contend with, but one that is impossible to avoid altogether. Now that you know some of the pros and cons of active adult communities you should be able to get a better feel as to if moving is right for you. And remember, everybody is different. You should add to this list so that you know for sure that you are making the right decision. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=192 In today's day and age, if you want to get a better idea as to what active retirement communities are all about you do not have to look very far. The fact of the matter is that there are more active retirement communities going up all over the country than you can shake a stick at. And remember, just because these communities are going up at a fast pace does not mean that the existing ones are being torn down. In fact, the exact opposite is true. There are active retirement communities going up in every state, and they are joining the ones that are already in the area. Now can you see why it is easier than ever before to lay eyes on one of these establishments? There used to be a day when active retirement communities were not popular all over the United States. You may have found a few in northern states, but for the most part active retirement communities were located in the south. And more specifically, the majority of them were in the state of Florida. This has not changed; Florida is still the leader as far as active retirement communities are concerned. But when it comes to competition, more and more states are joining in on the action. Developers are glad that people are more interested than ever before in active retirement communities in every state. This makes those who are based in the north much more competitive. Ten years ago if a developer would have put up an active retirement community in Pennsylvania they may have had a tough time drawing buyers. While it is still no easy task with all of the competition that is out there, developers have a much easier time in today's real estate market. One of the main reasons for the increase in popularity among active retirement communities is the number of baby boomers who are retiring each year. And to excite developers even more, the largest numbers of baby boomers are still working. As they begin to hang up the work boots over the next few years, active retirement communities are going to become even more popular. As you can see, active retirement communities have a lot to offer and are no longer relegated to only southern states. No matter where you want to live or what type of active retirement community you are looking for, it is safe to say that you should be able to find one. Having all of these options is a great benefit, and you should take advantage of the sheer number of active retirement communities if you are in the market or even considering a move. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=193 For many people, moving to an active adult community after retirement is like a dream come true. After many years of hard work and slaving away at their job, these buyers are more ready than ever before to live the good life. And when it comes to this group of people, an active adult community is the best place for them to relax and also get some thrills. There used to be a time when active adult communities were thought of as boring, more or less. But although this is still a conception, the fact of the matter is that nothing could be further from the truth. Today's active adult communities are anything but boring and for new developments to compete they have to offer more than ever before. There are two basic ideas around an active adult community. First off, the homes that are offered in active adult communities are geared towards older buyers. This means that the master bedrooms are usually on the first floor, there is a high level of luxury, and exterior maintenance is kept to a minimum The other thing to consider when it comes to an active adult community is the part of the community that does not have to do with your home. This includes things such as a golf course, tennis courts, a swimming pool, an exercise room, and much more. Remember, you want to stay active after you retire. Finding a community that offers the activities that you like is quite important. All in all, you do not need to slow down after you turn 50. Instead, look into buying a home in an active adult community. This may be the best decision that you ever make! 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=194 Choosing an active retirement community does not have to be as hard as some people make it. In all actuality, you should not have any problems when it comes to finding an active retirement community that suits your needs. A lot of people simply get caught up in all the excitement, and do not do a good job in making the right choice. You should make sure that you do everything in your power to ensure that this does not happen to you. Listed below are three things that will help guide you to finding the perfect active retirement community. 1. The first thing to consider when choosing an active retirement community is location. If you want to move to an active retirement community in your current state there is no point in looking elsewhere. If you do, you are only going to be wasting your time. Instead, you should focus on the area that you know you are interested in. When you pinpoint your search by location you will have a much easier time finding the active retirement community that is right for you. 2. Now that you have your location in mind, the next thing to consider is the price of the home that you can afford. You can figure this out easily enough by going over your budget, and then taking things from there. Remember, every active retirement community offers homes at different price points. If one active retirement community is a bit out of our price range there is no reason to give up. You should instead continue your search until you find the one that is priced right. With so many options, if you know what your budget is finding an affordable home in an active retirement community is more than possible.. 3. Features and amenities are also important when moving to an active retirement community. You could find the perfect location and a great price, but if the home does not offer what you are interested in there is no point in moving forward. Active retirement communities are more advanced than ever before, and you need to remember this when you are shopping. Not only should you find a home that offers a high level of luxury, but the community itself should also mirror this look and feel. After all, moving into an active retirement community is all about a better life. If you follow the above three tips you should be able to find a home in the perfect active retirement community for you. And of course, if you have any other criteria in mind, be sure to add it to the price, location, and features 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=195 So you are interested in moving into an active adult community after you retire? If so, you are probably well aware of the communities in your area as well as those in other popular states such as Florida and Arizona. But guess what? These are not your only choices when it comes to active adult communities. Believe it or not, many people have found that moving to Mexico is the best choice for them. There are many reasons as to why Mexico is creeping into the minds of more and more baby boomers. First off, the weather in areas such as Puerto Vallarta is beyond perfect. If you are looking for warm weather day in and day out, an active adult community in Mexico may be what you have been dreaming of. Accessibility is also another reason that active adult communities in Mexico are becoming more popular. In the past, flights did not travel in and out of the area as regularly as they do today. This makes it easy for people to get to and from their home, and also schedule visits from out of town family and friends. And of course, there are many options as far as active adult communities in Mexico are concerned. You can find everything from a low priced condo to a more expensive community on the beach. No matter what your budget or lifestyle needs, there is a good chance that you will find what you are looking for at a Mexico active adult community. Finally, do not forget that communities in Mexico are sure to keep you active. They offer everything that American active adult communities have, plus much more in some areas. With Mexico offering more and more active adult communities, expect baby boomers to at least consider a move to this country upon retirement. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=196 For many baby boomers, retirement is a time that is going to be quite hectic to say the least. You will be working hard to make sure that your finances are in order, and that you have everything set up for a good life. But with that being said, this can be a bit overwhelming at times. This is especially true when it comes to moving from the house that you have lived in for so long. And even though you do not have to move, a lot of baby boomers feel that an active adult community is probably the best thing for them. Instead of walking into the trap of being overpowered by too many decisions, you should instead start planning your move to an active adult community years in advance. Obviously, you will not want to make the move until you are ready but you should at least have an idea of what you want to do. This way, when the time comes you will be able to make a move on the spot without having to think twice. There are a couple of things to keep in mind when looking ahead to your retirement days. First off, you should consider the economical advantages of moving into an active adult community. If you have a large home right now with a large mortgage payment you may be able to get out from underneath this. A move to an active adult community could free up money each month that you never even think about. Another consideration is that an active adult community will greatly change the way that you live. When you move into an active adult community you will have the chance to live a stress free lifestyle. You will never again have to worry about removing snow from your driveway or cutting the grass. Does it get any better than that? Thinking ahead will give you a jumpstart when you decide to retire. When you already have a plan in mind, your move to an active adult community will be much easier on you. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=197 Why is an active retirement community a good idea? This is a question that you may have on your mind if you are considering a move into one of these communities. The fact of the matter is that active retirement communities are more popular than ever before, and there must be a reason for this, right? While there are some reasons as to why you should consider moving into an active retirement community, this is different for everybody. You need to make sure that you know why it is a good idea for you; not for anybody else. For most people, the number one reason to move into an active retirement community is so that they can live a higher quality of life. When you move into a home in one of these communities you will have the chance to live maintenance free on the outside, and full of luxury inside. Does it get any better than that? Active adult communities are meant to cut the stress in your life, and the majority of them do this with a high level of success. Another reason that you may want to move into an active retirement community is all of the activities that you can take part in; this is where the name 'active' retirement community comes from. Remember, just because you are no longer going to be working does not mean that you should just sit around the house all day. You need to make sure that you get your exercise so that you can live a long, happy life in your new home. At active retirement communities you will be able to take advantage of activities such as swimming, tennis, golf, and much more. And the great thing about this is that you will be able to do it all without ever having to drive. Finally, you may be able to save yourself a lot of money by moving to an active retirement community. If you have a large home now there is a good chance that as you get older that you will no longer be able to keep it up. For this reason, you may want to think about selling it now and moving into a smaller home in an active retirement community. This way you can make money on the deal, and in turn save even more in the long run. For a lot of people moving into an active retirement community is a good idea. This is not going to hold true for everybody, but it is safe to say that it may for you. Instead of ruling out an active retirement community you should at least visit a couple. Who knows, you may find that this is everything you have been hoping for and more! 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=198 The Pointe at Turnbury, located in Monmouth Junction, recently celebrated its grand opening. This active adult community is one of the nicest in the area, and this is obvious by the way that people are clamoring to get a closer look. The grand opening celebration was a huge success as a large number of sales associates and home buyers showed up to check out the new development. The Pointe at Turnbury offers 190 town homes situated in a gated community. It is safe to say that these are not going to last long. The Pointe at Turnbury offers plenty to anybody who is interested in moving into the community. For those who are interested in staying fit, this active adult community offers a heating pool, putting greens, bocce courts, and much more. The Pointe at Turnbury also features a state of the art clubhouse that features a fitness center, yoga rooms, and a salon. In addition to the features inside, The Pointe at Turnbury is also located in close proximity to parks, dining shopping, and other activities. This makes it the perfect choice for anybody who wants to live in an active adult community, but does not want to give up their life. The Pointe at Turnbury is garnering a lot of attention, and soon enough the development will be sold out. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=199 For those people interested in moving into an active adult community there are many decisions that lie ahead. After all, making this move is a very big one that needs to be taken seriously. So before you decide to jump into a move to an active adult community, you should first ask yourself a few questions. This way you can be ensured that you make the best decision for your overall situation. Here are five questions that you should ask yourself while shopping for a home in an active adult community. They will help to guide you in the right direction. 1. Is the community age restricted, or is it more or less for active seniors? This is important because some active adult communities are also known as plus 55 communities. So obviously, if you are not of age you will not be able to purchase a home in one of these communities. 2. If there are age restrictions, what happens if somebody under this age inherits the property? You need to consider this fact because it will probably come up sometime in the future after you have passed on. It is important that you plan for this. 3. Is it more important for you to have the best home or be in close proximity to things such as your family, entertainment venues, etc? Remember, there are many active adult communities to choose from; with each one being in a different part of the country. 4. What activities are offered at an active adult community? Better yet, what activities that you like are offered at a community? This includes things such as golf, tennis, basketball, etc. 5. Are the homes in the community perfect for your situation? Do they give you what you need? Even though active adult communities have a lot to offer, you will spend the majority of your time in your home. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=200 There are many housing markets from one side of the United States to the next that are slumping. If you live in one of these markets you should be able to get a great deal on a home in an active adult community. But on the other side of things, this is a huge problem for developers and real estate agents. After all, if they cannot sell the homes that they build they are not going to make any money. Developers have come up with many ways to attract buyers to active adult communities. Although these incentives are not the same across the board, there are many that are being used by developers. For instance, builders are offering large incentive packages, cost free upgrades to the home of their choice, and cash discounts in order to bring down the price. All of these things will go a long way in bringing a lot of people back into the housing market. There are a couple of reasons that the market has high a low as of late. They include resale prices that are entirely too high as well as the difficulty that people are having when trying to sell their current home. This has led to builders dropping prices by as much as $100,000 in some areas of the country. While this is an extreme, it is what they must do in order to recover their money and make a profit. There used to be a time when a new active adult community would draw thousands of visitors a day, but this has not been the case as of late. Overall, it will be interesting to see which way the housing markets move in the next few years. For the sake of builders and developers, hopefully things will even out as far as active adult communities are concerned. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=201 As more developers begin to build active adult communities the competition will continue to rise. For this reason, developers are looking for any advantage that they can find. One of the ways that some of them are gaining the upper hand is through lifestyle marketing. Generally speaking, this is when a lifestyle is sold to prospective buyers as opposed to the home itself. Developers are using this method of marketing when trying to create sales for active adult communities. Not only do potential buyers want a home that they can live in, but they also want to be able to take advantage of a top notch lifestyle. So how are developers doing this? When targeting buyers for active adult communities they touch on things such as the activities available, the close proximity to outside destinations, and the stress free living. If developers can make people realize that their lifestyle will improve at an active adult community they have a much better chance of making sales. Lifestyle marketing is going to become more common as baby boomers begin to search far and wide for the best active adult communities. Through these marketing techniques developers are hoping to draw people to a better lifestyle. In turn, sales of homes will follow 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=203 The Bleachery site located near Rock Hill is soon to be converted into a modern plus 55 community. If you look at this site right now it is hard to imagine a change, but it appears that one is on the way. At this time, the site is best known as the location of one of the largest printing and finishing mills in the area. But since this is no longer necessary, redevelopment efforts are underway to make a change. The plan is for a plus 55 community to be situated in the area. The community would feature approximately 300 homes, and would only be open to people who are over the age of 55. Although there are a lot of people hoping that this project moves forward, nothing is set in stone as of yet. In fact, city officials noted that no agreement is in place as of yet. There are still some money issues to be worked out as well as other details that need to be addressed. Every year millions of baby boomers are turning 60, and are looking for a plus 55 community where they can settle into an easy lifestyle. Although Arizona and Florida are the perennial power states when it comes to plus 55 communities, there is no reason that South Carolina should not be able to get into the game. A big jump forward in this area could take place if the plus 55 community at the Bleachery site is approved. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=204 Buying a home in a plus 55 community is not as easy as you may think. Sure, you could just make a purchase and hope that things work out, but this is not always the best idea. You will want to know what you are doing so that you can make the best possible decision as far as your finances and living situation is concerned. The first thing that you should do before you buy into a plus 55 community is conduct the proper amount of research. Take a closer look at what is available in the area, and what similar homes have recently been sold for. The next thing that you may want to do is to meet with the officials who are in charge of the + 55 community that you are interested in. They will be able to answer any of your questions, and address concerns that may be nagging you. Finally, make sure that you get the type of home that you want in the plus 55 community. You need to speak with developers and architects to make sure that they know what you want. This way, when your home is done you will have the living space that is customized to meet your needs. When shopping for a home in a plus 55 community you should follow the tips above. They will allow you to reach all of your goals 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=205 Even though moving into an active adult community is not the right choice for everyone, a lot of people end up going in this direction. This is only going to continue in the next few years as more and more baby boomers begin to retire. But what about the people who already live in the areas where these active adult communities are being built? Have you ever stopped to think about how they will be affected? In most cases, local residents do not put up a fight when a developer decides to break ground on an active adult community in their area. They know it is for the good, and in many cases they can benefit as well. But just like any other type of real estate development, there are times when people get made about an active adult community coming into their town. One of the bigger concerns among people is that an active adult community will decrease how much their current home is worth. While this is not always true, this can be the case in some parts of the country. Another problem that people talk about is that an active adult community will raise the amount of traffic in their area. There is no denying this, and depending on the size of the active adult community the traffic can increase by quite a bit. Not only do the people who live in active adult communities have to get around the area, but their visitors must also do the same thing. All in all, active adult communities are not all fun and games. They have a lot to offer the people who live there, but in many cases local residents try to block the development. How would you feel if a builder broke ground on an active adult community in your neighborhood? 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=206 Bridgewater has come to be known as one of the top areas in the country for senior housing communities. This is set to increase in the near future if two senior communities get the go ahead from the Board of Adjustment. One of the proposed developments is set to take over the land of Bound Brook Driving Range. If approval is given, a 70 unit housing complex for seniors will be built in the area. The other proposal is for a 60 unit community located on approximately 7.5 acres alongside Route 28. According to township numbers, there are more than 1,500 senior housing units in the area at this time. This includes everything from independent and assisted living to active retirement communities. A lot of towns all over the country are interested in constructing active retirement community and other like developments. These go a long way in generating revenue, but at the same time active retirement communities do not increase traffic or bring additional children into the area. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=207 Many retirees who decided to head south have changed their minds and reversed their way of thinking. This has led to more and more active adult communities being built in the north and Midwest, and the current communities having to deal with a new influx of people. There are many reasons as to why people move back up north after a few years in the south. Some of the more common reasons include being closer to family, when their health begins to weaken, or when they start to run out of money. Although one of these reasons does not always result in a move back to the north, this trend is becoming more and more popular. The number one reason for these moves is most definitely to be closer to family. A lot of retirees think that fun in the sun is the best thing when they hang up their work boots. But after a few years at an active adult community in the south, they learn that they are missing their family. In turn, they head back north and put a strain on the community that they move back into. As you can imagine, builders have decided to slowly look at developing active adult communities in northern states. This will do two things. First off, when people are looking to move back to the area they will have a viable option that is similar to where they were coming from. And, it should also help to keep people closer to home in the first place. After all, if they have an active adult community close to home they may not even want to try a move to the south. Overall, more and more retirees are heading back to the northern and Midwestern states after a few years at a southern active adult community. It is hard to say if this trend is going to continue or level off in the future. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=208 There are hundreds of active retirement communities all over the country that are drawing the attention of baby boomers. The fact of the matter is that these people are nearing retirement age, and will be searching for someplace to call home when they finally hang up their work boots. But before you can move into an active retirement community, you need to first know where to find one. In states such as Florida, it seems like there is an active retirement community around every turn of the corner. You need to make sure that you look into every community so that you get what is best for your finances and personal living style. With endless options, finding a suitable active retirement community is not a hard task to complete. As you begin to search for an active retirement community, here are some questions and details that you may want to consider. 1. The first decision that you need to make is the area that you are interested in living. Do you want to move to a warmer state? Or will an active retirement community in your current area suit you? 2. Make a decision early on about how much money you have to spend. This will dictate what type of active retirement communities you look into. 3. Have an idea of the amenities that you are searching for. Do you want your active retirement community to be near a golf course? Near your family? Also, you will want to consider the features that are located in the homes. This may include first floor bedrooms and much more. 4. How close is the active retirement community to local destinations? These locations can include grocery stores, malls, public transportation, hospitals, and much more. 5. Will you be able to take advantage of a security service? As a senior you may feel much more comfortable living in a gated active retirement community or one that offers a high level of security. After you consider these five details, start narrowing down your list of possible active retirement communities. 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=209 Heritage at Independence, a new active adult community, is scheduled to break ground in Warren County. Kaplan Cos. is currently working on securing the proper documentation and finalizing plans before they actually start the construction process. The cost of the project has yet to be released. This project will be the first one that Kaplan has completed in Warren County. Additionally, it will be the first active adult community to be built in the area. Generally speaking, this project is being built with active adults in mind. And with so many baby boomers looking to move in the near future, the timing could not have been any better. Not only will the 118 unit active adult community benefit the people who live there, but those in surrounding areas will also notice the advantages as well. It will help to generate additional property taxes, but at the same time it will not add any additional students to the school system due to age restrictions in the community. The 118 units will consist of two level town homes. Out of these, 14 of the units will be designated as affordable housing. To go along with the homes themselves, Heritage at Independence will also feature a pool, tennis courts, and a modern clubhouse 2007-08-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=167 With the popularity of active adult communities rising, competition is as fierce as ever. Gone are the days when most retirees moved to the state of Florida to live out the final years of their life. These same people are now deciding to stay closer to home so that they are in their comfort zone, as well as near their family. In addition, a lot of the people that moved to Florida shortly after retiring are now moving back home. They experienced life in the sunshine state for a couple of years, but again have found that home is where the heart is.With competition rising, active adult communities are looking for ways to set themselves apart from the rest. This may seem easy enough, but there is really only so much you can do when it comes to this area of the housing industry.The number one thing that active adult communities are offering members is the ability to take advantage of numerous onsite features. In other words there is much more to one of these communities than a simple place to live.The newer active adult communities that are being built are coming with state of the art clubhouses as well as games such as shuffleboard and bocce. These are the things that draw in retired folks because it gives them something to do. Developers of active adult communities know that if they can offer more activities to potential residents that they will quickly sell out of space. But with everybody using this plan to gain ground, it sometimes takes a unique outlook to move head and shoulders above the rest. Keeping the price down is also a main goal of active adult communities. Retirees are on a fixed budget, and anytime they can get something for cheap they are going to do it. If there are two active adult communities in the same area, chances are that they will stray towards the one that offers them a better price. In new developments, homes can come in a varying price range, but in most cases $140,000 is common. This allows residents to have a nice home without having to break the bank. The competition between active adult communities is really going to heat up as the baby boomers continue to reach retirement age. It will be interesting to see what these communities come up with in order to bring in new residents. 2006-11-28 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/article-full.php?article=166 Investors that re looking for a new business opportunity often times turn to the game of golf to satisfy their needs. This is a trend that has always been popular, but one that has begun to take off more so in recent years. These investors have found that building golf courses in an area that is in need can be a great way to make money. In fact, they have found that any golf course even with competition in surrounding areas can still be a hit.The most popular areas for this type of development are in the south. The fact of the matter is that southern states are sunny year round, so it only makes sense for developers to head to this region. After all, why would they cut themselves out of profit by building in a state that suffers harsh winters?The first step to developing these courses is for an investor to find a parcel of land that they can build on. This may seem like an easy enough task, but when it comes down to it there are always a few problems that these people run into. Not only do they have to find enough land to use, but they must also make sure that it is zoned to proper specifications. Even then things can get dicey because nearby residents may be put off by the idea of increased in their neighborhood.From there, investors then make a decision on what exactly they are going to do with the land. In most cases, a golf course is only the start of things. These people also move forward with the selling of lots so that residential homes can be built on the course as well. To take this a step further, they must also budget for the clubhouse, as well as any extras that they are going to add. This includes things such as a restaurant, driving range, and practice greens. As you can see, developing golf communities is much more than simply building a course and waiting for the players to show up. There are a lot of financial and legal details that go into this process, as well as steps to ensure the overall completion of the project.Overall, as long as there are investors and spare land there will always be new golf communities popping up; this holds especially true for areas of the country with good weather year round. 2006-11-24 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=164 Greene County, North Carolina is going to be home to one of the best golf communities in the country within the next few years. The area is planning to develop a new course and housing development in the area very soon. Not only will this draw in golfers from all over, but it will also bring in new residents who are interested in the housing development.The Cutler Creek Plantation consists of over 600 acres of land in North Carolina. On this land, over 700 new homes will be developed as well as a championship level golf course. The goal for this new golf community is to have the best of the best. And since they are starting from scratch, there is no reason to believe that this will not happen.The great thing about this area is its location. Residents will be able to take advantage of small town living, but at the same time they will have the ability to get to larger cities as well as the ocean via a short drive. This flexibility alone should go a long way in bringing new residents to the area. Even though ground has not been broken yet on the golf community, it has been marked off. Within the next few months the development process should get underway, and the community will begin to take shape.In addition to the championship golf course, there are going to be many other features to draw in a crowd. A fitness center, tennis courts, and swimming pool are going to add to the overall appeal of the area. Not to mention the fact that an equestrian center is also being constructed in close proximity to the community.All in all, construction on the new golf community will get underway in 2007. For people interested in golf or a great life style, check out Greene County, North Carolina in the near future. 2006-11-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=165 In today's world retirees are hoping to stay close to home more so than they did in the past. Gone are the days when everybody wanted to move to Florida after they retire. Some people still feel this way, but there is an ever growing group that is looking to stay near their family after retirement. The problem that these people are running into is that there are not very many choices in their area if they are looking to move out of their current home. Most retirees want to down size in home space so that they can relax in their old age. This is where developers come into play.Playing off of this trend, developers in the United States have found that if they build retirement communities in states other than the ones with the best weather that people will come. They may not come from far out of state, but in state residents that want to stay close to home will purchase properties in the new plans. But the problem that developers were running into was that they did not know what retirees in these states were looking for out of a new community. So the only obvious solution to this question was to seek them out and ask for their opinion.Developers teamed up with retirees to get ideas about why they want to stay close to home, and what it would take from a new community in order to make this a possibility. The feedback that they received was top notch. It allowed developers to construct new retirement communities based on what the retirees want, not what they thought was needed. Plus, during this entire process developers met a lot of people that were interested in these projects; which of course over time turned into new residents for the communities that they were building. Making ties with retirees was the best thing that developers could do. It allowed them to get quality insight which made the building process much easier. As developers continue to build retirement communities in every state in the country, they will also continue to stay in touch with the age group that is going to be interested in them the most. This sort of communication is a win-win situation for everyone. Developers can easily build the best retirement communities, and retirees can reap the benefits in the end. 2006-11-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=163 The state of Florida has always been popular among people who are interested in moving into an active adult community. But over the past few years this has changed quite a bit. There are still plenty of people who are moving to this state, but at the same time there are a lot of people moving away as well. In turn, this has led to an increase in population in active adult communities in both North and South Carolina.There are two main reasons that retirees are not as interested in Florida as they used to be. Of course there will always be a large group of people who want to live in Florida when they retire, but with that being said there are more options today than ever before.Here are the two reasons that retirees are looking at options outside of Florida.1. The taxes in the state of Florida are much higher than they are in states such as North and South Carolina. There is a good chance that if you move from Florida to one of the Carolinas you will be able to save hundreds of dollars each month. This may not sound like a lot to you, but for people who are on a fixed income this can make all of the difference in the world.2. The expenses of living in Florida are also quite high. One of the biggest expenses that you will have to contend with is keeping your property in good shape year in and year out. Now in most states this would not be an issue, but in Florida, since there are so many hurricanes residents always have to be concerned. And when it comes down to it, retirees are looking to relax. They do not want to spend their time worrying about when the next big hurricane is going to hit. Although hurricanes can touch down in the Carolinas it is much less likely, and when they finally arrive they are usually less powerful.With these two things in mind, more people are passing on active adult communities in Florida and opting for other states. It is safe to say that this trend is only going to continue as the baby boomers near retirement age. This is most definitely going to do a lot for the economy and atmosphere of the Carolinas. 2006-11-23 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/article-full.php?article=162 If you love golf, tennis, and beautiful greenery, an exclusive, privately owned country club community is more than likely to cater to both your athletic interests and housing needs. Traditionally, most people have thought of country club communities as the domain of the wealthy and privileged. Although this may still be true to a degree, modern country clubs are increasingly accessible to more and more people. Additionally, these country club communities have opened their doors to people with a wide range of interests.The contemporary country club community is likely to feature amazing greenery, inclusive of lush flowers and bright green landscaping. In addition to the ever-popular golf court, paths are made available to bicyclers, joggers, walkers and runners. Country club communities may also offer facilities such as up-to-date personal fitness equipment and health centers. In addition to fitness equipment, users may also be able to make use of fitness instructors leading classes in aerobics or dancing! Some country club communities also offer spas, saunas, and swimming pools. The country club community may also invite its residents and approved guests to take advantage of available tennis courts and equestrian trails.Other country clubs cater to family needs. This focus on the family environment may be enhanced by child-friendly activities and on-site venues. This may include children's play and educational activity centers, as well as child-area pools, child horseback riding lessons, and more. Some communities boldly offer childcare access and services.Most country club communities devote a tremendous amount of time to the social environment of the area. This may mean that guests are invited to engage in casual interaction in high-class dining spaces. Users may enjoy high-quality gourmet food that is comparable to countless menu options available in four class restaurants around the world. In most cases, a country club community is a private established limited to members only. Anyone can apply, but it is possible that new members will only gain access through invitations or via approval from the current community. Other country club communities are not as exclusive, and may limit membership in other ways. For example, management may require that users reside on the property, or within a certain amount of miles of the country club community.Membership to country club communities is often an ongoing financial investment. Dues may be required on a monthly, bimonthly, or annual basis. Membership dues, or fees, may also be tiered, meaning that certain amounts of dues will limit access to certain facilities. Higher dues are likely to increase access to other on-site facilities and amenities.Privately owned country club communities are growing in popularity across the nation. Widespread appeal has even caused the concept of a country club community to generate interest in other countries and corners of the globe. This may be due, in part, to the array of activities that are offered to members. Interest in these clubs has spurred on the development of a niche market to the general real estate framework. Today, quite a few real estate agents devote their entire practice to country club and other resort-style living arrangements. In the United States, housing in these country club communities will often cost residents at least $500,000. From that point, housing costs are nearly limitless. For example, Florida's Taylor Woodrow Communities features private family residences that cost more than $4 million dollars. Some of those housing units are enhanced by beautiful views of waterfront and lush greenery.In the real estate market, some architectural firms are wholly devoted to the idea of 'planned living' centers. This has evolved from traditional gated communities to the inclusion of ever-growing creativity of the country club community arena. The Crosby Group, for instance, is a California based firm that devotes a portion of its business dealings to the erection of country club community structures. Architects such as Joe Lee and Pete Dye devote some of their professional services to the planning of golf courses. Golf courses are usually one of the primary attractors of people to country club communities.On top of the luxury facilities, members of any country club community will enjoy the warm social atmosphere. Country club community members are often urged to involve themselves with activities that promote a sense of residential cohesion. Activities within the housing area forge strong social bonds that enhance the overall quality of life of the neighborhood. In many instances, activities cater to all age groups. Management may offer different events such as family nights, senior citizen events, and social mixers for those seeking an intense, yet classy, party atmosphere. Themed social nights are more popular in country club communities where residents reside during certain seasons. These seasonal guests experience a different type of social interaction from permanent residents. In the end, every resident has the opportunity to enjoy a lifestyle that is luxurious, inviting, safe and fun. 2006-11-22 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=161 Within the next month or so, sales are expected to open at the Carriage Park active adult community in Somerset County Borough. For people who are over 55 years of age, this is the perfect active adult community. Single level living is available, and there are 144 units for sale. There is an off site sales office in place in Bridgewater which allows interested parties to visit and gather information on the active adult community. They will be able to get information on price, floor plans, and basic details that are included in the community.The Kalian Companies are building the Carriage Park active adult community. For this reason alone, sales are expected to be strong. Since they are a reputable builder, people know that they will be getting a top notch unit if they decide to buy.And buying a unit at the Carriage Park active adult community will not be any cheap task. Prices will start in the low $300,000's for a two bedroom home. Every unit has a balcony, and is between 1200 and 1600 square feet in size. In addition, covered parking is also available which definitely sweetens the deal a bit. And for some lucky residents who are willing to pay the extra money, a view of the Middlebrook River is available from their unit.One reason that Carriage Park is getting so much attention is its close proximity to shopping malls, grocery stores, and dining venues. It is also close to many activities such as water sports, hiking, fishing, and even horse back riding. Buying a unit in this active adult community is not cheap, but the level of benefits that they offer is top notch. Not only are homes themselves very nice, but the surrounding area makes the Carriage Park active adult community a steal for anybody who is over the age of 55. 2006-11-21 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=160 If you are nearing retirement age you may be looking to move out of your home, and get into something that is a bit less expensive and time consuming to keep up. With that in mind, you will have to find the retirement area that is best for you. The good thing about this is that there are active adult communities located all over the country. And if you do not want to move into an active adult community there are many other options available as well. The fact of the matter is that you should not have a hard time finding somewhere to retire; the hard part is narrowing down your choices.There are a few different retirement areas that you should consider before you decide to make a final decision. The only way to know what option is best for you is to look into everything that is available.For many years, people have been retiring to warm weather retreats such as the ones in the state of Florida. Of course this will always be a popular option, but today's retirees are not as gung ho about it as they were before. Even though Florida is a great place to settle down, with the development of other areas in other states it is no longer the only option.Many people are forgetting about Florida and moving further up the coast to active adult communities in both North and South Carolina. By doing this, retirees can still take advantage of the great weather and many activities, but they do not have to worry about being overcrowded or having to deal with hurricanes. It may not be perfect in the Carolinas, but more people than ever before are moving to the area.Another option that you may want to consider is a downtown condominium. Does this sound a bit odd to you? If so, you are not alone. But when it comes down to it, a lot of retirees are opting for these condos instead of seeking out active adult communities. By moving into a condo in a downtown area you will be close to everything that you need, while also being able to cut back on the daily chores that go along with owning a larger home.As you can see there are many options to consider as a retiree. No matter what state you live in or where you want to move to, you should be able to find a place to call home during retirement. 2006-11-19 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=159 There used to be a time when retiring meant moving to Florida and soaking up the sun. Even though there are still a lot of people that are doing this, the numbers are not nearly as high as they once were. More and more retirees are looking to stay at home, close to their family. This is going to become even more true as the baby boomers reach retirement age.Staying close to their families is something that a lot of people are looking to do. For this reason, they are not spending their retirement dollars relocating to the great state of Florida. But you may be thinking, are there any alternative living options in other states? The answer to this question is quite simply, yes!Being that more people are staying in their home state after retirement, developers from all over are building retirement communities. These developers are planning on cashing in big time when the baby boomers start to retire by the thousands. At that time, they will be able to effective market their retirement communities to people that do not wish to move out of state. And if you think that these retirement communities are not as good as the ones in Florida think again! Developers are taking a lot of steps to ensure that the retirement communities they build can compete with the big boys in Florida. They are building condos, apartments, and single family homes to ensure that anybody can move in regardless of budget.If you want to move to a warm weather state, Florida is no longer the only option. Other southern and southwestern states are jumping in on the action. Over the past couple of years they have taken business away from retirement communities in Florida, and this is only going to happen more as the baby boomers get older. These states include Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas and many more. When it comes to retirement communities, Florida is still the granddaddy of them all. But as developers continue to build, the power is starting to shift. Florida may always be the cream of the crop when it comes to drawing retirees, but other states are making a huge push. It will be interesting to see which states move to the forefront as a large group of baby boomers close in on retirement. 2006-11-18 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=158 As people near retirement age they seem to calm down quite a bit. When they finally get to leave their job for good the only thing that they can think about is having a little bit of peace and quiet. But in some cases this is not possible without moving. And unfortunately moving does not necessarily mean that quiet time is on the way; that is until now!Adult only living communities are becoming increasingly popular amongst the older crowd that is around retirement age. In fact, to move into one of these adult only communities you usually have to be age 55 or older. Kids are permitted if somebody over 55 is living their, but they must be at least 19 years of age. This helps to greatly reduce the amount of noise, which in turn increases the time to relax for the residents.There are many benefits that go along with living in an adult only community. Obviously the first one is that you will not have to worry about a lot of kids running around and disturbing you. In addition, the noise level will be much lower because there are no baseball games in the street, or kickball in the backyard; that is unless the old timers are playing!In addition, an adult only community does not put a burden on the area as much as other developments. One way that this holds true is that the school system is not bogged down with additional students since no kids are allowed in the communities. In fact, an adult only community helps out the financial situation by bringing in more property tax dollars.Each adult only community is different. Some of them only have townhouses available, whereas others offer single family living. And there are also communities that offer both. Adult only communities cannot be found all over the country, but there are quite a few of them available. If you think that you may be interested in this type of living all you have to do is a bit of research. Chances are that you will be able to find at least one community in your area. Just make sure that before you move in you know what all of the rules are. The rules are not strict, but they may restrict the type of lifestyle that you want to live. All in all, adult only communities offer many benefits to interested parties. 2006-11-17 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=157 If you are going to be retiring soon, an active adult community may be right for you. Before you get any ideas, no this is nothing like a nursing home or anything like that! Some people get the two mixed up, and end up passing on a great opportunity to live in an active adult community.All over the country active adult communities are being built. And as more and more baby boomers near retirement age, this trend is only going to continue. The most popular active adult communities are condos. These are large buildings that house anywhere from 20 or more units. They make for great retirement homes, and are fully equipped with everything that a retiree could need.In addition to the larger buildings that have condos, some active adult communities also have freestanding units. These are also great buys, and are preferred by people that want the feeling that they still own their own home. When searching for a condo at an active adult community, there are features that you will want to look for. Of course the most important thing is that you get what you want, but since there are so many options you will want to get the most bang for your buck.If you have a couple of cars, you may want to search for a condo that has a two car garage. In the newer plans garages of this size are the norm for free standing condos. At the same time you may not need a two car garage, so saving money and finding a condo with one car storage capabilities may be the way to go.A lot of people that are moving into active adult communities are doing so because they want something smaller that is easier to care for. This is a great idea and one that should be carefully considered by retirees. To take this a step further, a one story condo may also be the best option because you will not have to worry about making your way up and down the steps as you get older. The choice is yours when it comes to moving into an active adult community. If you do not find anything you like at first, simply keep your eyes open. These communities are being built at a record number. For this reason, you will find something that suits your needs sooner rather than later. 2006-11-16 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=156 If you are interested in moving into an active adult community there are many things that you will have to consider. With every active adult community, different features arise. And to make the decision even more difficult, you will have to deal with the fact that there are thousands of active adult communities available all over the United States. So as you can see, narrowing down your choices may take you more time than you ever thought.The first thing that you have to consider when looking for an active adult community is where you want to live. Do you want to live in the same area? Or do you want to move into an active adult community that is in warmer weather? This is a personal decision that everybody has to make. There is no right or wrong answer; you have to make up your own mind.When you finally decide where you want to live, your next step is to take a closer look at your budget. Remember, you will not want to blow all of your money each month on your new home. If you do this you will not be able to have any fun in your retirement years. Make sure that you consider much more than just the price of a unit in an active adult community. You also need to look at how much the taxes are going to be, as well as any miscellaneous costs that you may have to deal with. This is where having a good budget will really work to your advantage.Finally, never jump into buying anything that you are not comfortable with. If you have any questions about an active adult community you should get them answered before you make a move. One good thing that you can do is spend some time in the area that you are interested in. This will allow you to get a good feel for what the area is like. You may find out that you really do not like the atmosphere that is presented. It is better to catch onto this sooner rather than later.Choosing a retirement spot is not always the easiest decision. You need to take your time so that you end up in the best possible situation. 2006-11-14 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=155 If you are a member of the older generation you probably thought that your days of going to school were well past you. And even though you do not have to go back to school, if you want to there is an option that you can take advantage of in Georgetown, Texas. Senior University offers noncredit courses to people who are over the age of 50. This is a great way for people who are older to continue learning.In 1998 the University opened after a few members of Sun City Texas, an active adult community, wanted to expand their education. They took it upon themselves to make it easy for older people in the area to further there education.Classes at Senior University are held in three locations. They include First Baptist Church, Sun City Social Center, and Southwestern University. Over 75 percent of the students enrolled in classes are residents of Sun City.The fees to take classes at Senior University are quite reasonable. An annual membership fee of $50 is required, as well as a $60 per semester fee. With these fees paid, students can take a number of different classes ranging from history to ranching.One of the biggest reasons that Senior University has taken off is because the classes are just as much social as they are educational. It gives students a place to learn, but at the same time they can also meet other people who are interested in the same things.With the success of this institution, it is safe to say that more and more communities will begin to look into this. If there is an area where active adults live, it is safe to say that they may want to further their education. And there is no better way to do this than by setting up a low fee institution resembling Senior University. 2006-11-13 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=150 The largest builder in the United States, Pulte Homes is the parent company of Del Webb Co., a company that actively builds active adult communities. These active retirement communities account for 40% of Pulte’s profits! This is a truly a growing market segment because baby boomers are aging and are thinking about the future. The growth of active adult communities are not limited to one area. This is a trend that can be found all over the United States.Arizona is the most popular state to relocate to, with more than 240,000 relocating there in 2005 alone. The fact of the matter is that eight percent of home closings in 2005 in Phoenix were active adult homes. And 35% of the eight percent mentioned above were purchased in the Sun Cities communities built by Del Webb! While Del Webb is doing well now, they expect that sales will increase even more between now and 2009 when more baby boomers will be reaching retirement age and will be ready to make a change. To meet the demand of aging baby boomers Del Webb and Pulte Homes plans to open 23 new active retirement communities under the Del Webb name, which will provide another 41,000 homes to seniors. Two such communities are planned for Arizona, which will help feed interest there.Pulte Homes Del Webb division is constantly developing new trends and keeping their eye on the market to see what seniors are interested in. Del Webb has learned that most seniors want a facilitated lifestyle if they consider moving into such a home. Because of this they ensure that there are not only a variety of homes, but that there are amenities such as pools, spas, walking trails, planned social activities, golf, and tennis available to residents. The average active retirement community resident is 62, so it is understandable that they not only want to be comfortable, but they also want the chance to have some fun in their element. 2006-07-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=151 It’s generally well known that the Del Webb division of Pulte Homes is on the top of their game with active adult communities. Most recently Del Webb Corporation has teamed with Harlem Irving Companies for two concept plans. One of the plans is for a 378-acre active adult community while the other is for a 400-acre active adult community. The adult community would be located in Frankfort and would feature up to 1,500 homes and even a shopping center located at Harlem Avenue and Sauk Trail. The plan is for between 1,200 and 1,500 one level ranch style homes to be built. The active retirement community wouldn’t just be homes; it would also include a grocery store and other retail stores that would make up a shopping mall. The inclusion of a grocery store makes the active adult community even more convenient because there is no need to leave the community for anything if residents do not want to go out. Many senior citizens feel more comfortable when everything is very near to their homes, and this community will deliver just that. The proposed 55+ community would be beautifully gated, and specifically for those that are 55 and older. Del Webb has stated that the grounds would be beautifully landscaped and would include a comfortable clubhouse, resort style swimming pool, gorgeous walking paths, and more. Prices for homes have not yet been released as Del Webb is currently working on a more detailed plan. The plus 55 community will likely be welcomed in the community as Frankfort is aging and many residents have been wondering where they can go when they retire but aren’t ready for a nursing home. An active adult community could be the answer older adults are searching for in and around Frankfort. 2006-07-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=152 While most developers and seniors know that active adult communities are really popular right now, the opening of the Sun City Carolina Lakes attracted more attention than anyone was expecting! More than 3,000 people traipsed through the active retirement community in Northern Lancaster County in South Carolina in just three hours! The public was anxious to see the community as it has been completely off limits since ground was broken in June of 2005. The Sun City Carolina Lakes community boasts 4,400 homes, and is just five miles south of the North Carolina state border. Homes range from 1,100 to 2,600 square feet with 12 models to choose from. Prices for the homes range from $167,000 to $340,000. The community is not off limits to people younger than 55, but to buy in the area, one member of the family must be at least 55 years or older. One stipulation that the 55+ community has is that no children under the age of 18 can live there, though grandchildren can visit their grandparents any time. Of course, this is not the first Sun City property; there are Sun City active adult communities in Hilton Head as well as Florida. There are also plans for a plus 55 community to be built in Atlanta in the near future. This specific community features a recreation center, 18 holes of golf, breathtaking walking trails, and awe-inspiring lakes. Sun City Carolina Lakes truly encompasses what everyone would consider a great place to enjoy your golden years and grow old. As testament to the beauty of this active adult community, all but 89 of the first 537 homes were sold before the grand opening of the community. Those that have purchased their homes began moving in during the month of May. Carolina Lakes really does offer great homes, a great setting, and four seasons that cannot be matched anywhere else in the United States. 2006-07-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/article-full.php?article=149 The senior residents of Franklin Tennessee are like seniors in most places, they simply are not able or do not want to upkeep a large home anymore. Not only do they not want to take care of the home, they don’t want to take care of the home’s grounds and they cannot as easily maneuver stairs and reach for high cabinets. Active retirement communities such as Reid Hill in Franklin offer these adults the opportunity to live in beautiful homes that meet all of their needs. Active retirement communities are becoming popular as baby boomers are turning 60 and slowing down. Longer life expectancy and better health have opened up a whole new market of housing that is really taking off with baby boomers aging and a good portion of them looking for something new and different.The great thing about active retirement communities is that they do away with old stereotypes that all older adults need assistance. Active adult communities simply offer significant facilities and services for people 55 and older, according to the Fair Housing Act of 1968 that was updated by the Clinton administration. Because the stigma of living in such a community has lessened, developers are able to attract a larger portion of the consumer base to communities such as Reid Hill. The developers of senior communities such as Reid Hill really do design the properties for seniors. Not only does Tennessee offer all four seasons, the homes are for seasoned adults that prefer not to have stairs and find that one level homes are easier to clean and care for. Not only are inside steps done away with, developers try very hard to do away with the need to have steps outside, as well.Small details make all the difference for seniors, and developers pay attention. Wider doorways and hallways to accommodate walker, canes, and wheelchairs are one such detail that is very nice. Many builders also include built in shower seats, handrails, and taller vanities and toilets. Small items such as electrical outlets are often placed higher on the wall, light switches are lowered, and cabinets are placed lower as well. While these are not features that may be needed when the owner moves in, they will likely come in very handy in ten years or so.Developers have learned that bigger is not necessarily better for seniors. Active adult communities are all about making seniors comfortable now and as they age. Little details make the house what it is, and invite larger populations all the time. 2006-07-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=148 Lancaster County in South Carolina is no stranger to 55+ communities that have a wide appeal among older adults. Sun City Carolina Lakes is the newest such community and when completed will be compromised of 4,400 homes ranging from the upper $100,000s to the mid $300,000s. The area is appealing to many that want to be closer to friends and family, who want to buy a home that requires less maintenance, or simply want to live in an area that caters to their lifestyle. While the Sun City Carolina Lakes property is not yet completed, it has been met with a lot of excitement by the 55+ community.Sun City Carolina Lakes is not the first active adult community that has been built by Sun City Pulte Homes. The first community was the Sun City Hilton Head that was opened in Bluffton 12 years ago. The Hilton head community features about 5,200 homes and is situated on 4,300 beautiful acres of lands. Eventually the community will offer 8,700 hundred homes. Del Webb, bought out by Pulte homes, has been building these types of communities for 40 years, starting in Phoenix. With much success in the past, Sun City Carolina Lakes is the newest addition to what is a planned 23 active adult communities nationwide. South Carolina is an ideal location as the population in the state is aging and many are retiring to this portion of the Eastern United States. The 50+ population measures more than 1.1 million as of 2000, which makes an obvious need for such active retirement communities.Carolina Lakes is likely to boast golf courses, very low maintenance homes, walking trails along the Catawba River, and social activities. Sun City Carolina Lakes has drawn the interest of more than 35,000 since the project was announced two years ago. The active retirement community will open this summer and there are seniors from all over the country, even as far as New York. Currently there are more than 100 homes sold, leaving plenty of real estate for others who are interested in relocating to this active retirement community. There are 12 models to choose from that range from 1,100 to 2,600 square feet. Features like an 18-hole golf course, resort pool, clubhouse, walking trails, playgrounds, and planned social activities make Carolina Lakes a great place for any older adult! 2006-07-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/article-full.php?article=147 Many people over 55 feel like they are living in a house that is too big or not properly laid out, has too much upkeep, or just does not provide them with the lifestyle they want or need. Adult communities are often a great compromise for individuals that still want to live on their own, but want to live in a community that will offer them fun as well as support from people their age. Active adult communities are for households that have at least one member over the age of 55. Most of these communities offer low maintenance housing with one level living areas. A lot of these communities offer planned activities for socializing as well as access to the outdoors. Some of the adult communities offer condos, single-family homes, or even beautiful villa style residences. Some of the real estate is so beautiful that these active older adults will feel as though they are living in a resort! Active adult communities are not hard to find at all. In fact, builders know that most active adults want to remain close to the city or town that they have been living in. Because of this they keep the communities right in or outside of major areas. For instance, in the Washington area there are several adult communities in Loudoun, and Prince William County. There are also other active adult communities being built in Dunbarton and Braemar. Having the community nearby will allow active adults to take advantage of the activities and lifestyle offered by such a community. It also allows them to continue with activities outside of the community as well as nurture existing relationships with friends and family. The features will vary from community to community but a great example of what active adults will find in these communities can be seen in The Dunbarton Club outside of Washington. The club overlooks Broad Run and has an indoor pool and spa that can be used year around, a expanse fitness center, game and meeting rooms, as well as a professional business center and even a parlor! Residents will also be able to take advantage of marvelously landscaped grounds that include tennis courts, putting greens, bocce and shuffleboard courts, as well as gorgeous hiking and biking trails. The Club will also organize several social events for the residents to mingle and get to know new people and try new things. Prices on homes in these active adult communities will vary from community to community all around the country. Specifically in the Dunbarton area prices start at about $350,000 and go up to almost $500,000 depending on the type of home one wants. 2006-06-17 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=146 In many areas the population of those that are 55 and over is growing. For example, Howard County has a huge 55+ community that will grow to be as much as 31% of the population by 2030. Because of the older populations, it’s important that housing is built to accommodate the needs of these citizens. While it used to be common for aging adults to grow old in their family homes, many are now attracted to the active adult communities, which allow them to live in lifestyle appropriate homes where they can interact with other people their age. Single-family homes, condominiums, town houses, and villas are commonly built in these 55+ communities. One example of the active adult community is Pulte Homes Village Crest development in Ellicott City. The community is relatively new and is still growing. Currently, there are 166 homes in this active adult community that are about 2,200 square feet and range from about $482,000 to $504,000. Village Crest appeals to older adults because it gets them out of their home that is too big and requires too much maintenance. What’s amazing is that Pulte did a study that reported that 26% of baby boomers will consider buying a home in an active adult community when they are of qualifying age. Amazingly, 44% of baby boomers speculate that they will want a smaller home that will require much less maintenance. Those are the top reasons for relocating to such a community. Ryland Homes is developing an active adult community as well known as Snowden Overlook that will be located in Columbia and is set to be ready for move in early 2007. This 55+ community will feature 56 condos and 140 villas to accommodate the growing senior population. The homes in this community will range from the mid $300,000s to over $600,000 with the condos being the least expensive and the villas being the most costly. These truly are active adult communities that will feature beautiful lands that are meant to be enjoyed. In addition to beautiful homes, the active adult community also appeals too many because of the social opportunities. Studies have found that many seniors move to these communities because they allow seniors to interact with those that they have commonalities with. For instance, Gatherings at Lyndwood in Elkridge feature not only clubhouses, but also lifestyle coordinators that host activities for residents so that everyone can get in a healthy dose of socialization. Not only is socialization important, but the location of these active adult communities is also very important. All of these communities offer quick access to both Baltimore and Washington. This allows seniors to keep in touch with established friends and family members, even if they have been making new friends in their community. Luckily, the 55+ communities will keep on growing. Counties such as Howard county realize there will continue to be a need for such housing and there are plans to keep building communities that are exclusively for older adults. With the increased interest in such housing, there is no doubt that builders will continue to fulfill the need and interest for more housing. 2006-06-13 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=145 Finding a great place to live if you have recently retired can seem a difficult task. No longer do you want the maintenance and upkeep associated with your current home, but you are also not ready for an assisted living community. Luckily, there is something in between and if you live in the Fairfax County area you are definitely in luck. Mega homebuilder Pulte is currently planning Spring Hills in Lorton, which will offer all of the comforts of home as well as amenities for the active senior. Spring Hill will offer single-family homes, villas, and condos for those that are over 55. Pulte Homes will begin building these homes in June or July, but model homes can currently be seen. The community will be gated and will offer walking trails, beautiful gardens, tennis courts, and even a putting green. There will also be a clubhouse that will offer indoor and outdoor pools and spas, a fitness center, aerobics classes, a gorgeous ballroom for events, and even a billiards game room. For seniors that want more than a putting green, they will find 18 holes across the street at the Laurel Hill Golf Club. Spring Hill offers very spacious homes, though they may not look like anything all that special from the outside. The homes range from just under 1700 square feet to just over 1700 square feet. The Somerset is one model that is more formal and features things like a foyer entrance, a bar style kitchen for entertainment, and a deck off the family room. The Winthrop is another model and features a closed off kitchen, a den, a sunroom, and a deck off the sunroom. The Winthrop also offers a soaking tub in the master bedroom! Both of the models offer two car garages and garage door openers. The prices range from $520, 900 to $555,900 with the Winthrop being the more costly of the two. This is truly a great active adult community. If you have been looking for a modern 55+ community that will offer you beautiful homes as well as great features, this is it. With many different floor plans to choose from, you’ll find that Spring Hill in Lorton is the active adult community for you. 2006-06-13 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=144 Active adult communities, also known as 55+ communities, are becoming more and more common all around the country. These specialty communities often involve high rise condominiums, single family homes, or attached villas. Active adults often enjoy living in these communities because they have something in common with all of the other residents. A very popular up and coming active retirement community is Spring Hill located in Lorton, Virginia. Spring Hill is a beautiful active adult community that is welcoming just in its appearance. 55+ buyers can choose a single family home, condo, or villa style home that is secured as a gated community. All of the streets are privately maintained with snow plowing, trash pickup, and all yards are tended to as well. For those that like to indulge in golf, the community neighbors the Laurel Hill Golf Club. The active retirement community offers tennis courts, a quaint gazebo, striking walking trails and a well-manicured putting green. Other features include breathtaking gardens, and a clubhouse that offers a fitness room, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, billiards and games, and an aerobics room. With all of these great features Spring Hill is a great place to enjoy the golden years. Single-family homes range from the low to the mid $500,000s, villa homes range from the low to upper $400,000s and the condos will go on sale later this year. There are homes currently available and the condos will open availability even more. All of the homes are well built, for instance the villa homes have a brick façade, vinyl siding, and a grass yard with an automatic sprinkler system to complete the look. Also included is a one car garage and a concrete patio in the backyard. All of the homes have 9-foot ceilings on the main levels and have great features like hardwood flooring, ceramic tile, and boxed ceilings. Some of the models include a loft, which is desirable for many active adults. Sunrooms and fireplaces are also optional and will affect the price. Overall Spring Hill offers a lot in the way of quality homes and an excellent lifestyle. All of the home choices and great features make Spring Hill a fantastic 55+ retirement community even for the most discriminating senior. 2006-06-13 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=143 Traditions at Inniscrone is a 55+ community that offers everything that active adults are looking for in such a community. The Traditions at Inniscrone is located in Chester County Pennsylvania and it is attracting the active adult community from all over the state! Beautiful homes with low maintenance yards and entertainment are what Traditions is all about, and they deliver that and more. The setting of this retirement community is simply beautiful and leaves many active adults feeling as though they are living in a dream. Cannon Custom Homes of Glen Riddle took a survey of current homeowners at Traditions at Inniscrone and found this community offers everything homeowners want. More than 50% of the homeowners responded to the survey by saying that what they want from an active adult community is a great lifestyle, fun extra-curricular activities, and fitness. It just so happens that this community offers all of that and more. Traditions also offers a golf course with breathtaking fairways, private and spacious homes, low maintenance yards, gorgeous walking trails, and a clubhouse. The Chester County location was no doubt a selling point as well for the community, as it enables residents to still be close to family and friends. The location also offers residents the ability to visit nearby restaurants, Brandywine Valley wineries, museums, movies, and more. Traditions and Inniscrone also is one of the more affordable active retirement communities in the country. The homes are beautiful and have all of the amenities that one could every hope for with prices start at just $300,00. This is a bargain for active retirement communities. Traditions at Inniscrone is a great active retirement community that anyone familiar with the area would love. Packed with all of the features and amenities that older adults look for when buying a home, Traditions really is the ideal living arrangement for anyone over 55! 2006-06-13 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=140 Continental Properties notes the increasingly younger age at which adults are moving into increasingly more exclusive active adult communities as they develop another community for adults age 55 and over. Bear’s Cove will be a 104-home private community located near New York City. The homes in this private community will each have three bedrooms and three and a half baths. In-home amenities include a 35-inch stainless steel refrigerator, custom wood molding, and 10-foot ceilings. A 4,500 square foot clubhouse will also be built. A fitness center, card rooms, a clubroom, a sauna, a heated pool, and a catering kitchen will also be available to residents. Continental Properties is also noting the fact that not all of its residents are retired. With the only restriction being that, those living in the community must be over the age of 19, developers say that often one or more of the residents in a home still work. K. Hovnanian homes are developing The Promenade, an active adult community in Warren Township located in Somerset County. A 7,300 square foot clubhouse will offer amenities similar to those in Bear’s Cove. Homes in this private community can be customized with a finished basement, sunroom, breakfast nook, or additional fireplaces throughout the house. Homes range from 2,900 to 4,850 square feet. Greenbriar Falls in Monmouth County does not give potential residents the option of adding a finished basement; it comes standard with every home. Actually, those buying into the private community of Greenbriar Falls make virtually no choices about their homes. Each home comes with upgraded amenities. Hardwood floors, granite countertops, spa style showers, and double ovens are just a few of the amenities provided. The community clubhouse includes a pool, fitness center, and a bocce court. Walking trials cross the 59-acre community. Homes in this active adult community range from $800,000 to $900,000. 2006-05-31 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=141 A new active adult community is planned for Lake Placid. The private community, being developed by Silver Companies, is still in the preliminary stages of development. So new, in fact, is the community, that it has yet to be named. Silver Companies is in the process of closing the deal on the land and expects to apply for zoning permits in April or May. The community will be comprised of roughly 1,150 homes, each on a small lot, about 60 feet by 100 feet. These small lots are easier to manage say the developers. Single-family homes, villas, and condominiums will all be offered and will range anywhere from 1,400 to 2,500 square feet. It is still too early in the project to confirm any price range on the homes. This active adult community will feature a clubhouse at its center run by a full-time activity director. Silver Companies, who has developed similar gated, active adult communities in the past, will restrict children under the age of 19 from living in the community. Any child living in the community for more than 90 consecutive days would be in violation on the community covenant. Residents, and soon to be neighbors of the private community, express concern over the types of homes that will be built, as well as increased traffic in the area. The president of the Homeowner’s Association of Lake June Point, a neighboring community, and worries that the quality of house being built will be that of less prestigious retirement communities often seen in south Florida. Residents of Lake June Point also worry about increase traffic in the area due to the two entrances leading into the new community. Silver Companies’ executive vice-president emphasized to the residents of Lake June Point the quality of home that will be built, describing the community as upscale. He also assured them that only one entrance would be marketed as the main entrance, which would help control the flow of traffic. A lack of driving and absence school-aged children will also significantly reduce traffic in the area, he said. Construction is expected to begin in one and half to two years. 2006-05-31 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=142 Those seeking a private, active adult community superior to the multitude of active adult communities being developed today will be happy to discover Toll Brothers, the nation’s most distinguished luxury homebuilder, winning all three of the industries highest honors. Toll Brothers has announced the opening of its most recent active adult community, Regency at Berlin in Hartford County. This gated community, consisting of beautiful homes complete with 9-foot ceilings, decks and patios, and many other amenities, sits at the base of Lamentation Mountain next to acres of land preserved by the Berlin Land Trust. Low-maintenance living is stressed in this private community. Complete exterior care, including lawn and trash, is provided on each of its luxury homes. Homeowners can customize their home to suit their needs with the hundreds of customizable options offered. Visitors are welcome any day of the week to enjoy a gathering room, media room, and exercise facility with their loved ones. These impressive developers offer homes to those seeking active adult communities, a second home in a private community, or simply a move-up. Their services are offered in 21 states including Florida, Texas, and California. Toll Brothers specializes in luxury golf course communities, low, mid, and high-rise communities, as well as both attached and detached luxury single-family homes. They also provide many of the services needed in gated community development including architectural needs, engineering, mortgage, title, land development and sale, golf course development and management, home security, landscape, lumber distribution, housing component, cable T.V. and broadband Internet delivery. Toll Brothers is a Fortune 500 company founded in 1976. It has been a public company since 1986. Their honors include America’s Best Builder from the National Association of Home Builders, the National Housing Quality Award, and National Builder of the Year. Luxury townhomes range in size from 1,500 to over 2,000 square feet of living space. Prices start in the upper $200,000 range. 2006-05-31 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=139 Jubilee at Hawks Prairie, developed by Jenamar Communities, is an award-winning active adult community that gives people in their 50’s and above an opportunity to enjoy low-maintenance home ownership as well as recreational and social activities. Jubilee offers 1,156 to 2,584 square feet homes with craftsman style. Quality and practicality are the important aspects of these single story homes. Fifteen floor plans are provided for this private community near Lacey, Washington. A nearby 36-hole championship golf course, numerous walking and hiking trails and a recreational lodge provide many opportunities for an active adult lifestyle. Active adult communities with goals of creating and entertaining an active lifestyle for those ready for retirement are growing in popularity and value. The value of the average Jubilee home has risen 25 percent in the past two years. Owning a home in retirement years is now a very smart investment. The population of adults who are retirement age is rising and active adult lifestyle housing must increase as well. Adults of this age seek a lifestyle free of household management responsibility; they seek a life filled with friends and family without the hassles of petty chores. Smaller homes with open living spaces and the ability to be personalized upon construction provide a simple home life. Rooms that can easily be made to accommodate any living situation make retired life easier for adult’s age fifty and above. Simple lives filled with enjoyment and the exploration of new hobbies and activities are desired. Recreational centers, golf courses, tennis courts, walking trails, and various other recreational activities provide opportunities for physical activity as well as social gatherings. Clubhouses provide areas for formal functions and parties. Properties near coasts provide resort-like living free of worry. Active adult communities near areas providing healthcare, shopping, dining, and community entertainment are growing in popularity. 2006-05-31 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=138 Active adult communities are becoming increasingly popular among home developers. Because of increasing numbers of adults age 55 and over seeking private, active adult communities Frederick County in Maryland has approved the growth of these communities in the last few years. Debate among lawmakers and developers over the amendment of the county’s “adequate public facilities ordinance” eventually fell in favor of developers. The amendment states that if at least 80 percent of a community’s homes are occupied by at least one adult age 55 or older, developers do not have to meet the requirements of the “school adequacy test.” Though faced with oppositions such as claims of discrimination and worry about crowding in area schools, developers rightfully argue that they are breaking no laws by building communities better suited for active adults. Active adult communities are made less inviting to families with children by building small homes and excluding playgrounds and swimming pools. As adults move into active adult communities, they leave houses that families with children will enjoy calling home. This increase in children throughout the county should, hypothetically, create a crowding in area schools. Because the houses left by those seeking active adult communities will be spread out among several counties, the children will be spread out among several different schools, developers say. Some lawmakers agree that an increase in active adult communities will not crowd local schools; instead, they worry about the strain placed on law enforcement and fire rescue services. A growing number of communities expand the area that rescue services must cover. Ordinances or amendments must be passed to expand these services as communities expand, reducing the strain on existing services say lawmakers. 2006-05-11 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=137 The number of active adult communities is on the rise throughout the country. Adults are entering these private communities at younger ages and living in them while they continue to pursue a career. Crescent Resources, a leading developer of these communities, continues to make progress toward a high quality of life for adults age 55 and over. Crescent Resources expects to oversee soon the development of many new upscale, gated, retirement communities in the Pittsboro area. Area developments will be headed by Crescent's first Triangle office, located in Raleigh. The purchase of 391 acres in Chatham County, totaling $9.1 million, will be added to Crescent Resources' current private community projects, which include the 588-acre Cedar Lake project in Franklin County and the purchasing of an adjoining 398 acres that will be used for yet another gated community. This private community, called Meadowview, will connect to the 700-acre golf course community of Chapel Ridge. The original plans for Meadowview were developed by a local partnership and consisted of 715 homes on 795 acres. Crescent plans to build only 580 homes in this retirement community. The firm also plans to buy 680 acres just minutes from Meadowview and begin development on yet another gated community. Construction on the first private community, Cedar Lake, is expected to begin early this summer. Cedar Lake will feature 120 lots on 588 acres about three miles north of Youngsville. The community will also feature an 80-acre lake. Home sites consisting of one to six acres will range from $150,000 to over $500,000. Homes will start in the $800,000 range. An active adult life will be fueled by 100-acre Park, many walking trails, canoeing, and kayaking. Other community developments belonging to Crescent Resources include Ballantyne Country Club and Highgrove in Charlotte and several developments around Lake Norman. 2006-05-11 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=136 Toll Brothers, the award winning developer of more than 225 private communities in 20 states, has created another successful active adult community in Bonita Springs. Bella Vita is a community of villas that will soon be sold out, just like Villa d’Este, its neighboring community, also developed by Toll Brothers. Bella Vita is an exclusive gated community providing many up-scale amenities for its residents. The Tiena, a featured home in Bella Vita, provides 3,024 feet of luxury living space. Stone archways lead into a grand foyer, formal living room, formal dining room, and an atrium courtyard. Prices for the Tiena begin at $1,495,975. The Biella, priced at $899,975, offers 2,058 square feet of living space and 2,777 total square feet. Featured inside are an open formal room and kitchen and a private master suite. Seven total home designs are offered at Bella Vita, each with many customizable options. This exclusive golf course community will consist of only 60 homes. Palmira Park provides a 30,000 square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse that overlooks the lake and 18th hole of the original golf course. The amenities provided include a spa, casual and formal dining areas, a fireside lounge, and a cards and billiards room. The Renaissance Center Club offers an array of activities led by a certified fitness staff. Along with fitness classes, a pro shop, painting, pottery and computer classes are available. Residents also enjoy a 2,800 square-foot lagoon style pool and a lap pool. Developers of these small active adult communities, as well as the developers of Palmira Park, the larger community made up of smaller communities like Bella Vita, are impressed and excited about their success. They describe their sales as phenomenal. Founded in 1967, Toll Brothers is the only national homebuilder to have won all three of the highest honors available: America’s Best Builder from the National Association of Home Builders, the National Housing Quality award, and Builder of the Year. 2006-05-09 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=135 Ryland Homes, a California-based national homebuilder, recently began developing four new gated, active adult community sub-divisions in San Antonio: Westover Woods, Enclave at Canyon Springs, the Villas at Mountain Lodge, and Promontory Pointe. These four private communities are expected to add 400 homes to the local housing market during the 2006 calendar year. Model homes have already been completed in Westover Woods, one of the four private sub-divisions, which is located in western San Antonio off of Military Drive. Western San Antonio is the leading submarket in home development throughout San Antonio. In the 2005 calendar year, 4,808 homes began construction; a 37 percent increase from 2004. Completion of model homes in the remaining three subdivisions, Enclave at Canyon Springs, the Villas at Mountain Lodge, and Promontory Pointe, which are located in northern San Antonio, is scheduled for the next three months. Enclave at Canyon Springs is located at Lookout Canyon and Canyon Golf Road. The Villas at Mountain Lodge is located off of U.S. Highway 281 and Mountain Lodge Drive. The $160,000 to $190,000 price range of the northern communities is a pleasant alternative to the $200,000 and $300,000 price range that encompasses nearly forty percent of the homes currently in northern San Antonio. The Westover Woods development boasts a prime location, as it is located just outside of Westover Hills. The Baptist Health and Christus Santa Rosa hospital systems are also coming to the area. Ryland Homes expects the golf course community of Westover Woods to attract the eye of buyers who want to sell their home and move into an upper class, gated community. They are confident that they will fill a certain niche in which many homebuyers are looking to purchase houses. All four of these private communities are located just outside of Loop 1604, an area where 2,700 homes began construction during the 2005 year. Active adults looking for quality private communities are encouraged to check out Ryland Homes in San Antonio. 2006-05-09 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=134 An increase in adults age 55 and over is creating a higher demand for active adult communities. These communities are tailored to provide entertainment, social activities, opportunities for fitness, and an easy home life free of maintenance and chores. Although many of these active adult communities are developed on acres of land with opportunities for golfing and other outdoor activities, Fairfax County has developed small high-rise communities with the all of its amenities in the same building and the benefit of a prime location near the Washington area. Brookefield Homes Corp. is developing private, luxury condominiums at HiddenBrooke with access to shopping, dining, and other amenities in the Washington area. Residents enjoy landscaped courtyards between buildings, a fitness center, and a clubroom. Homes feature 1,650 square feet of living space, two bedrooms, a formal dining room, a balcony, and an optional garage. Porten Homes is developing Saintsbury Plaza, an active adult condominium next to the Vienna Metro Station. Homes come with such amenities as oak cabinetry, granite countertops, a covered terrace, decorative columns, a full-size pantry, and two baths. Lighted parking, a covered entrance, and secured access make Saintsbury Plaza a comfortable, safe environment. A clubroom, fitness area, and concierge service provide luxury and convenience. Garage and storage space are also options. Homes range from the upper $400,000 to the lower $500,000. Pulte Homes is developing a gated community with single-family homes ranging from 1,672 to 2,528 square feet and villas with 1,314 to 2,345 square feet. The Burlington, Pulte Homes' largest villa, comes with a formal dining room, a two-story great room, a loft overlooking the great room, three bedrooms, a patio, and a garage. Residents enjoy an indoor swimming pool, a clubhouse, and easy access to Fairfax County Parkway and Virginia Railway Express Station. Single-family homes range from $534,900 to $555,900. Villas range from $411,900 to $468,900. The Stafford County-Fredericksburg area is taking a more routine approach to developing active adult communities. The developers of Celebrate are putting their 40 years of experience in developing active adult communities to provide stress-free living and numerous amenities. Indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, a library, a lounge, and bocce courts are just a few of the amenities provided within the 25,000 square foot recreation center. Homes with two bedrooms and two baths range from 1,269 to 2,165 square feet. Homes with three bedrooms and three baths range from 2,404 to 2,919 square feet. Prices start in the low $200,000 and range to $400,000. Three active adult communities will be developed by Tricord Homes in Fredericksburg. The Retreat at Chancellorsville will be developed next to the historic Chancellorsville battlefield. The golf course community of Pendleton will provide a full range of recreational options, while developers boast of Mill Creek's low maintenance villas. Ryan Homes, Lennar Corp., and NVHomes are developing a 416-acre, 800-home private community. A gated entrance, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a clubhouse with a ballroom, and a fitness center and just a few of the amenities offered. All of the homes in this active adult community will offer single story living quarters, a two-car garage, and the option of adding a second story. Ryan Homes will range from the $300,000 to $400,000. Lennar homes will range from $300,000 to $500,000. 2006-05-09 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/article-full.php?article=133 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 anactive adult community, 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. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=131 In the Twin Cities area, you will find that active adult communities are a trend of the present, promising even more communities to be built in the future. The city has recently decided to approve a three hundred home adult community to be built by a Nation's top leader of developers, K. Hovnanian Homes. The company has won numerous awards for their communities. K. Hovnanian Homes is known for its active lifestyle development, implementing a country club feel to the retirement communities it builds. Their commitment to building resort style retirement communities has done wonders for business, and importantly offered options to many retired individuals and couples that were not previously available. For the city of Maple Grove, Four Seasons at Rush Creek is Minnesota's first adult community offered for the active lifestyle of retired consumers. This community is also the first to introduce single family homes as part of a retirement community while still enabling home owners a maintenance free lifestyle. This concept of adult living has become very popular in many parts of the country, and Minnesota is eager to be a part of this trend now. After all, baby boomers are beginning to retire and downgrade their living arrangements to allow more flexibility and convenience. There is no better time to be a part of the new age retirement living. Four Seasons at Rush Creek brought more than three hundred homes including single family residences all set in a luxury community. The community entails a large clubhouse for social events, many different amenities such as indoor swimming pools, beautiful golfing greens, and of course tennis courts. Adjacent to the Rush Creek Golf Club, home owners do not have to go far for any type of recreation, and can even be a part of one of Minnesota's best golf courses. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=130 The newest in active adult communities can found in Bel Air, Maryland for empty nesters and retirees who want a low maintenance lifestyle. The community offers carriage-style town homes that feature first floor master bedroom suites. The great thing about this community is all outside maintenance is taken care of for you. Lawn care, and snow removal are included in the package. There are plentiful activities in the area including private, semi-private, and public golf courses, walking trails, boating and a large variety of shopping within a few minutes of the community. These beautiful homes feature hardwood floors, first floor master suites, stunning master baths, attic storage, and two car garages. Hardwood floors are featured in the foyer and kitchen. The baths have ceramic floor tiles Most homes feature a gas fireplace either in the living room or the master bedroom suite. The master bath includes a tub and a separate shower. The kitchen has beautiful 42-inch cabinets and granite counters. All appliances are provided in the kitchen. Some homes may have extras such as a breakfast area with bay windows, pantry off the kitchen, laundry room with door to the garage. You may also choose a finished loft with a bedroom, sitting area, walk-in closet, as well as a full bath. Sunrooms, whirlpool tubs, walkout basements, room extensions and skylights can make your home your own. These beautiful homes are situated in a community filled with culture, fine dining, great shopping, and a huge variety of recreational activities. Close to shopping and recreation, the closest city is Bel Air, Maryland with Baltimore only 30 minutes away. If you are looking for a secluded gated community with luxury homes and low maintenance, you will find all that and more at Tollgate Village. Choose the home that fits your lifestyle and enjoy this active adult community. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=129 Sun City Peachtree is excitedly being built in Spalding County, by developers Pulte Homes Inc. The active adult community has been slated to offer more than three thousand four hundred luxury homes, sitting on fifteen hundred acres of beautiful green land. 2006 is proving to be a big year for Sun City, with several retirement communities that are slated to be built ion the coming years. Sun City projects tend to get bigger and better with each new development, and they have no plans on stopping any time soon. They are not the only ones creating these new wave adult communities though. In 2005, Levitt and Sons LLC was born into the Atlanta homeowners market with a thriving seven hundred home adult community which was named Seasons at Laurel Canyon. This community was one of the first built in the area meant for active adults, downsizing due to retirement. Levitt does not plan to stop there. With an additional contract in Paulding County for more land, announcements of more plans are soon to come. Cities around the country are seeing signs of a growing retirement population, so the opportunity for growth is invaluable to developers such as Sun City and Levitt. Still, the largest demographic of homeowners are consumers between the ages of forty five and fifty four, leaving time to create housing for their generation to retire in. Communities offering many amenities and promoting an active lifestyle are the communities these folks will be looking for in just a few years. Although there may be some type of backlash against age restricted communities sometime down the line, many critics claim that adult communities aimed at the active lifestyle are here to stay. If a backlash is ever to come, the active lifestyle communities will surely bounce back before too long. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=128 600 acres of Lincoln City land is being considered as a future sixteen hundred and fifty home adult community. Sun City Developers have no official plans as of yet, however representatives for the Country's biggest developer of active adult community does plan to meet with the Lincoln community again soon. Sun City developers also have hundreds of acres in North Carolina under contract at this time. Although the community will be based on the same principles as any Sun City adult community, the project is simply not going to be large enough to be considered an actual Sun City adult community. And even though this project is smaller than the average Sun City developer projects, it would be the largest one of its kind in Lincoln City. A big advantage of building this type of adult community is the lack of resources it will tax its City. In other words, because no children will live there, residents won't require the use of the roads as much during peak times, and less water or even sewer is used, it is a valuable subdivision for Lincoln City, and Sun City developers. Because of the nature of the community in regard to the decreased need in additional services, Sun City developers believe that communities will be more inclined to compete for these types of proposals, making it possible to grow roots in a different direction for the company. Pulte, the company that is Sun City developers, builds homes in twenty eight different states in the U.S. all of which make up over four hundred thousand homes in total. Sun City developers plan on completing a project named Sun City Carolina Lakes in Lancaster County within the next ten years, featuring more than four thousand homes which will give adults another option when it comes to adult communities. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=132 Heritage Farms, developed by Barrington Properties and found in Blue Springs is the newest retirement living for people 55 or older. A new, gated community designed for the pleasure of adults over 55 with active lifestyles. Floor plans include ranch style homes with several recreational activities and small "pet friendly" rental agreements. It features neighborhood maintenance services and is secure for great peace of mind. The community will offer villas with large living rooms, walk-in closets and laundry with built in washer and dryer. Other features include private patios; an extra half bathroom and some homes have been designed to be handicap-accessible. Do you need extra storage? That's available for a mere $50 per month. The kitchen, laundry room, and bathrooms have tiled floors and each villa has its own private front and back door with storm doors. This ensures privacy and the remote controlled security gate and community storm shelter strengthen the feeling of safety and peace of mind. Recreational pursuits include walking paths and patches to plant vegetable or flower garden. It also includes a clubhouse with an exercise and billiard room, parlor room which offers computer and Internet access and a flat-screen TV. It also has a multi-person room for casual social gatherings or cards or just socializing. Pricing depends on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms and small pets are welcome with a pet interview and a small monthly pet rent. This active adult community is a rental community with a lot to offer. Whether you are downsizing or relocating, the security of Heritage Farms in Blue Springs has a lot to offer for the active adult who doesn't want to be burdened with outside maintenance and lawn work. Heritage Farms is a secure, activity filled active adult community. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=127 Sun City Carolina Lakes is a housing community located twenty five miles south of Charlotte, North Carolina. The community plans to open in March, offering more than four hundred and fifty homes to be sold. Plans do not stop there for the active adult community though, as the number of homes available will grow into the thousands eventually. On top of the homes themselves, the retirement community will offer a huge list of amenities, ranging from a golfing course and a gigantic recreation center, to a social hall complete with a ballroom and billiard tables. Outdoor recreation is to include walking trails, and clubs specifically for water sports like kayaking and canoeing. Some have implied that age restrictions on these communities will restrict sales of the homes in the communities, but that is not the case. There are more than seventy seven million baby boomers in the United States population, and they all will be retiring in the next few years to come. With that said, there is plenty of profit in building adult communities with strict age restrictions, as most all retiring individuals and couples alike are interested in stress free, low maintenance housing that promotes active lifestyles and eliminates family style living, as these families are now limited to adults. An advantage that adult community developers are experiencing is the fact that retired consumers like to spend money, and they will spend good money for a living arrangement that promotes the lifestyle they have set their minds on. This is what has broadened the spectrum to include these adult communities in many cities across the country, not just limit them to the sunny states of Arizona or Florida as they have predominantly been found in the past. Although homes in retirement communities are smaller and cost the same, retired consumers are willing to purchase because of the amenities, securities, and convenience these active lifestyle adult communities offers. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=125 The newest active adult or over 55 communities can be found on 410 acres of lake front property near the west side of Gainesville. Ground for this beautiful new gate community will be broken in spring of 2006 and the sales center will open in early summer. The community will feature traditional southern style homes as well as bungalow and craftsman homes with prices ranging from the $200s to the high $400s. The dam that created Lake Lanier was built on land first bought in 1948. The Lake destroyed only one historic site and that was Shadburn's Ferry. Some covered bridges were lost as well as the entrance to Georgia Road. Wooden structures were removed to make way for the lake but concrete and brick structures were largely left. Graves were relocated from small family graveyards that were quite common in the hills of Georgia. Located on Lake Lanier, the community will have plenty of recreational opportunities for its active adults. Boating, fishing, camping, hiking, and especially golf are found close by. Fairly close to the new community, you will find a few of the best golf courses in the state. Emerald Pointe, Renaissance Pine Isle, Chateau Elan, and a semi-private club called Chestatee Golf Club. Residents of Seasons on Lake Lanier will have a yacht club style clubhouse with card rooms, billiard rooms, a media room, indoor pool, and full fitness center. The new community will also feature about 80,000 square feet of commercial space to accommodate everything a self-supporting community will need. Seasons on Lake Lanier will be a wonderful active adult community with plenty of opportunities to make new friends and live in a friendly environment in which recreational activities abound. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=124 Cedarcrest Road and Highway 41 in Acworth, Georgia will be the site of the third Levitt and Sons active adult community. Once completed, Seasons at Seven Hills will be an active adult community of 724 homes, and a 514 home family community. Levitt and Sons LLC have purchased 855 acres and are planning the new community. The new community has plans for single-family homes with prices ranging from the low $200s to the high $400s/. These homes will measure from 2,100 to 3,400 square feet. This is a wonderful area with good schools and great recreation and plenty of retail options. The area will have boat docks and a beautiful clubhouse to use as an entertainment center. It will also include an indoor pool, performing arts center, billiards room, media room, gourmet teaching kitchen, and a full fitness center. An onsite director will be available to coordinate the many clubs that spring up in most adult communities. The developers have two other active adult communities, this will be the first family centered community. It will be separate from Seasons at Seven Hills and will be called Waterstone at Seven Hills. Lewis and Sons already has two other active adult communities in Canton, Georgia and in Gainesville, Georgia. These have proven to be extremely popular with luxury homes built on fantastic lots. These active adult communities feature recreational and social activities that typify today's over 55-boomer generation. Living in an active adult community can add years by giving you close contact with people of like interests. Adults that have raised their families and still want to be part of an active adult community will find Seasons at Seven Hills a perfect site for carefree, fun, and living life to its fullest. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=123 River Oaks Village will nearly double the population of the small town of Catawba, North Carolina. The community will blend in and keep the small town atmosphere, as sidewalks and trees will surround it. This active adult community will be gated and will have 1,500 units. These units will include condominiums, town houses, and single-family homes. The community will not have an age limit and will offer swimming, golf, walking trails, tennis, and access to Lake Norman. The town and people of Catawba are hoping this new residential community will revitalize the area since the mills have closed and many downtown shops are no longer in business. When the entire project is completed, the hope is the area will be renewed and businesses will locate in the area. The businesses along Main Street are already looking forward to the new businesses that will complement the existing businesses. Increased revenue will help to restore the downtown area and beautify its image. The new community will be located about a mile outside the downtown area. Groundbreaking is scheduled for spring 2007 with completion in four or five years. River Oaks Village will include 40 acres of shops that will appeal to active adults. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and boutiques will be part of that shopping complex. Catawba hopes to draw the residents moving into River Oaks Village into the small town feeling and make them feel welcome and a part of their small town. The developer of the community plans to develop the site without adding congestion and take away the small town atmosphere. The new community will keep the historical part of the town and heighten the historical presence. The new community could add as many as 3,000 people to the present population. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=122 The first phase of beautiful townhouses allows the residents to enjoy a beautiful home without worrying about maintaining the outside or the yard! The Emerson Plan offers two or three bedroom homes, a large kitchen and pantry area with storage space galore. Living rooms feature 9-foot ceilings. The first phase also included "active-adult" homes. These homes sold for $160,000 to $180,000. The second phase of this beautiful new residential development is scheduled to start immediately. The community, found in the Highland Creek Area boasts of tree-lined streets, decorative streetlights as well as a pool, clubhouse, and tot lot. This community within the University Area is only minutes from Concord Mills Mall, but also has local grocery stores, parks, restaurants and beautiful tree lined streets. This phase will feature ranch and 1st floor owner suites with two car garages. Geared toward managers, professions, and supervisors with two cars and 2.5 kids; prices will average 185,000 to 227,000. Prosperity Ridge is found near several large shopping centers, the Northlake Mall, and several parks. An added feature is Prosperity Ridge is near two great golf clubs, The Tradition and Highland Creek. Buyers will have several options for making their home unique including finishes of stone and brick, dual-bay garages and beautiful front porches that will be at least six feet deep. Customizing your home will make it yours! New South Properties selected KB Homes as the primary builder for the second phase of this beautiful private community. The new phase calls for 160 new homes single-family homes that will range from 2100 to 3400 square feet. A beautiful area to live and close to parks, golf courses and shopping, Prosperity Ridge is sure to quickly fill up with new families. Good schools and great recreation make Prosperity Ridge a great place to live. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=121 The creation of Seasons at Prince Creek West has been announced recently by Levitt and Sons in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Located only twenty minutes from Myrtle Beach, this active adult community is designed to promote just as the name says, activity among the retired community. Consumers that are downsizing to retire and live in age restricted communities asked for it, and they are getting it. The Country Club style development sits on more than two hundred acres of land, holding over four hundred homes and providing plenty of amenities for the active lives of the adults that purchase a home here. On top of golfing, fishing and hiking can be found right at the community as well as many water sports and hiking trails. For residents that are not into outdoor sporting or are looking for something on top of the sports, an impressive amenities package is offered including a huge clubhouse, a multipurpose ballroom, a craft center complete with pottery kiln, and sundecks are abundant. People that have evaluated the adult community compare it to a 'Cruise ship on land'. A big attraction many single retirees encounter with these types of communities is the fact that it promotes a social lifestyle that they otherwise are missing living in a stand alone home without all of the amenities. Levitt and Sons is known as America's first builder, having created over two hundred thousand homes in the last seventy seven years. These days, like Sun City developments, Levitt and Sons focuses primarily on creating vivacious active adult communities which are the new way of the world for baby boomers. Their focus on building homes is in the majority of Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. Plans to make more places like Seasons at Prince Creek West are on the horizon under the Bowden name. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=120 Sales for a new active adult community has begun for the Levitt and Sons community called Seasons at Prince Creek West. The active adult community is located conveniently near the Tournament Players Club Golf Course, and Inlet Square Mall. The community holds more than four hundred single family homes offering about twenty seven different floor plans which were designed in a Low country style. Seasons at Prince Creek West are the first of its kind in South Carolina, offering an age restricted community for retired consumers to enjoy their lives. Children are allowed on the premises for visits, and in fact have a maximum stay restriction of sixty days. Plenty of time with Grandma and Grandpa! Sales are expected to skyrocket with this community, as many people see the adult community as peace of mind. There is something to be said in offering a serene place for seniors to live, among others just like them. No more having to worry about things that do not concern them. The homes are all two to three bedrooms, offering a living space between fifteen hundred and twenty five hundred square feet. The homes are complete with a community of indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a grand clubhouse, spas, a full fitness center, and even a multi purpose ballroom for community functions. Access to tennis, walking trails and other sports related activities will be abundant as well. The homes are smaller than most homes being downsized from, so they are not what get people to live there. The amenities and over all structure of the adult community is what drives interest. Since the pricing for these homes have been released, there has been an overwhelming response from the community, interested in securing a home for themselves. Prices start in the low two hundred thousands. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=119 Jenamar Communities is planning to build a total of one thousand homes at Hawks Prairie, which is an adult community. Jenemar plans to develop more than five hundred houses located at Edgewater. Because of the new buzz focused on active adult communities, Jenamar is projecting about a fifty percent sales growth in the next compared to this year. The pace of sales already is showing the fact that sales are hot right now for this type of housing in Lacey. Planners have approved about twenty one housing subdivisions, and establishing tentative approval to the establishment of more than two thousand residential homes all throughout the city. Sales have already doubled since 2004, so the growth is amazing. Through the month of November, the city issued more than seven hundred building permits for housing construction. It is said that the city issued less than three hundred permits last year and the number typically hovers around two hundred. Lacey is attracting residential developers because it has such a vast amount of undeveloped land. People are known to be looking to move into the city because of less expensive housing than they would find in King County or even Pierce County. Jubilee is benefiting from residents who want to avoid going to popular retirement communities, like those located in Arizona, because they would like to stay as close to families living in the Northwest as possible. Another reason demand is so high in Jubilee is due to the fact that the active adult communities are very limited throughout the state. The development of such communities is still new, therefore very popular. Jenamar is determined to develop and build houses in a way that consumers will not have to wait for their house to be built. This makes investing in an adult community even more powerful. 2006-05-04 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=117 Enchantment at Hamilton is located within a short driving distance from the Jersey Shore, Manhattan, Princeton, and Philadelphia. The location features award winning home designs with beautiful landscapes, private cul-de-sac streets, and a state of the art clubhouse for meeting friends and neighbors. The floor plans for these mid $300,000 feature master suites with walk-in closets put on the main floor, majestic master baths with an oversized glass-enclosed shower and a soaking tub. The homes also feature two to three bedrooms, which gives you plenty of room for visits with the grandchildren. The homes also feature huge gourmet kitchens with a separate breakfast area and large family and dining rooms. Extras can be added such as a second floor loft, another bedroom, and bath, arches, sunrooms, and many more offers. Recreation and shopping is close with the Hamilton Marketplace, favorite dining spots, boutiques, and charming shops all within walking distance. Washington Crossing's Open Air Theatre and the McCarter Theater represent professional theater. Nearby are local golf courses, Veterans Park that features tennis, lake, walking paths, picnic facilities, and a beautiful woodland area. The park sponsors festivals, outdoor concerts, and fireworks, all free to be enjoyed by Hamilton residents. This beautiful gated community is designed for active adults 55 and over for those that still want to enjoy an active lifestyle. It offers a beautiful clubhouse with card rooms, crafts center, and a sports and billiards room. The clubhouse has over 8,000 square feet and is the recreational center of the community. Whatever you like to do in the form of recreation is found at Enchantment at Hamilton. If you are looking for the perfect retirement community, you'll find it all at this gorgeous community. 2006-05-03 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=118 In the southern part of the New Jersey coastline, it has been considered vacationland for baby boomers growing up in New York City, Philadelphia as well as northern New Jersey. Now, it is a great place to live for the retired consumers that refer to themselves at this point as active adults. In addition to an age restricted lifestyle, promoting active lives in retired individuals, the access to the city and casinos among many other social amenities could not be more convenient. This is what makes this adult community ever so popular to live in. The Gatherings at Cape May is a neighborhood of over one hundred homes off of State Route 9 which is in Rio Grande, also one of four townships in the county. The city itself has always been known as a tourist attraction, complete with an area trademark Victorian gingerbread architecture, along with some bed-and-breakfast establishments. About ten minutes from the local beaches, this adult community will also offer amenities such as a pool, clubhouse, and fitness center. The homes are one story, maximum of three bedrooms, and range in living space from nineteen hundred, to twenty two hundred square feet. Pricing starts at about three hundred thousand dollars. All lawn care will be provided, in addition to snow plowing when it snows. This enables retired consumers to live an independent life with the added benefits of help the way they need it most. In fact, this type of housing is so popular that developers are buying up old hotels and other buildings to demolish and start more active adult communities by the water. Sales are expected to do nothing but increase in the coming years for this type of housing, especially so close to the water. Expectations of more active adult communities being built is very high. 2006-05-03 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/article-full.php?article=116 In the next twenty years, one of the biggest issues developers will need to figure out is where all the baby boomers will plan to settle down for their retirement years. It has become a bit clear as to what type of housing retired consumers will be looking for, leaving that all mighty question of where to build the communities. Retirement communities aren't just for sunny States anymore. Florida and Arizona are not the only places people are retiring to nowadays. Studies have proven that the baby boomers have plans to downsize their homes and move into a community tat offers recreation, companionship, and convenience more than ever before. Because of this, the plans to build more adult communities is definitely a given, just as soon as it is figured out where to build them. In fact, the number of retirees that say they plan on moving to an age restricted adult community has virtually doubled from only five years ago. The change in attitude is thought to have something to do with the way retirement communities have changed in look and feel. Now that there are active adult communities promoting recreation and many other amenities, older adults are seeing the benefit and value to downsizing to one of these communities. Although baby boomers say they are considering a move to an adult community, it may not be for the reasons of retirees from the recent past. In fact less than two percent of older adults polled say they have interest in golf amenities. That leaves almost ninety eight percent that want something different. Clubhouses, lakes, and even ball rooms are among some amenities being sought after. With this said, expect to see a rise in active adult communities throughout the United States. And as for thoughts on moving to a smaller home, baby boomers polled say they do not mind less square footage in living space as long as the amenities are top notch and the homes are of high quality. 2006-05-03 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=115 Solera at Stallion Mountain is a gated, guarded plus 55 community designed for adults with active lifestyles. Set just a few miles from Las Vegas it offers the security of a gated community but with the social life that an active adults demand. Five single-family floor plans are available ranging from 1,155 to 1,716 square feet and prices from $220,000 to $280,000. These homes are built with technology that makes them 15 percent more energy efficient than those that were built to Energy Star standards. The homes feature blow in insulation and dual-pane, vinyl-framed windows. This adult community has a par 72-par golf course with gorgeous clubhouse. The Stallion Mountain Country Club offers three different plans to appeal to golfers of all skill levels. Social memberships are also offered which include full use of the club and participation in all scheduled social events. Solera also offers a recreation center with hobby rooms, pool, and boche and tennis courts. This beautiful active adult community is only seven miles from the Las Vegas Strip, close to shopping centers, the airport, and downtown Las Vegas. The developer of Solera at Stallion Mountain is the leading builder of communities for adults over 55. They also are building communities for all ages at the Club at Alliante and the Club at Madeira Canyon. The developer was rated number one if customer satisfaction with New Home Builders in Las Vegas two years in a row. The developer has a superior reputation for quality construction and beautiful floor plans. If you are looking for a beautiful home with golf club membership in the beautiful eastern valley, Solera at Stallion Mountain is just what you're looking for. Visit it and see for yourself. 2006-04-02 http://www.myactivecommunity.com/news-full.php?news=114 The National Association of Home Builders sure does think so. They have even changed their Senior Housing unit’s name from the “Senior Sousing Council” to the “50+ Housing Council”. Why you may ask? Well, to them the answer is simple. Older folks do not like to be referred to as seniors, so the name change was in response to their home owner’s concerns. Also in response to mature home buyers that do not consider themselves seniors, they have committed to developing homes that aren’t the generalized old folks homes people just don’t want anymore. The 50+ consumers are not upgrading, but instead downsizing to smaller houses or condominiums that are located closer to their own social surroundings. What they are looking for is more of a resort type of lifestyle tat will accommodate their needs but at the same time allow them to fulfill their life enjoyment to its fullest extent. Until recently, even the thought of different options has not been a reality, as retirement communities tend to lack in variety therefore leaving little choice. Retired consumers make up approximately twenty five percent of home buyers in America making it the fastest growing group of buyers to date. Space isn’t the concern for retired home buyers, convenience and closeness to social spots are. With that said, the trend in building communities that are based on specified needs and wants of the potential homeowners has become more apparent. A variety of different retired housing types located close to cities are sprouting up more and more in an attempt to offer more of what the 50+ consumer wants, in turn bringing in a profit that has not been predicted until now. With new designs, less impact on city resource utilization in addition to more choices, the situation becomes a win/win situation for everyone involved. 2006-04-02