Pickleball: The Latest Craze at Active Adult Communities

What do you get when you mix a smidgeon of badminton, a pinch of ping-pong and a slice of tennis? Answer: The latest craze at active adult communities, Pickleball. Originally designed as a backyard lawn game for the whole family, Pickleball was created over 40 years ago by U.S. Representative Joel Pritchard and friends. Pickles, Pritchard’s family dog, had an obsession with chasing errant balls during play and would hide with them in the bushes. Hence the name: Pickleball.

New trend: Dual master bedrooms for boomers

The National Association of Home Builders predicts that dual master bedroom suites will be in 60% of custom homes by 2015. (Some of these builders claim that more than a quarter of their new projects already have two master suites.)

Not since the Victorian era have there been so many requests for dual master bedrooms. The trend is growing especially fast for older Americans, who may need the extra room to accommodate a multi-generational family, from aging parents to grandchildren. His-and-her wings can also provide a sense of relief from a marriage, as privacy is a precious commodity in a long-term relationship.

Active Adult versus Age-Restricted: Time to Set the Record Straight

It is time to set the record straight. As the popularity of 55+ housing continues to grow, so do the number of communities that supposedly cater to this demographic. With the addition of more communities, a variety of choices are available to suit homebuyers who have different needs based on budget, location and lifestyle.

It is obvious, however, that as more builders enter the 55+ housing market arena, a variety of marketing messages are used to lure a new pool of potential buyers. We consistently get questions from confused homebuyers about what it means if a community is labeled “active adult” versus “age-restricted.”

Loving Life in Age-Restriced “Leisurevilles”

By John Howells, author of Where to Retire.

When my wife and I began researching retirement communities, some 20 years ago, we were somewhat puzzled by the concept of age-restricted communities. Since we had always lived in mixed-generation neighborhoods, we quite frankly could not understand why retirees would voluntarily segregate themselves into neighborhoods of same-age neighbors.

Recalling our days of raising a family in a traditional suburban neighborhood, we fondly recalled how we enjoyed socializing with our mixed-generation neighbors. Summer block celebrations, backyard barbecues, bridge and poker parties. Also Christmas, New Years, Fourth of July, and a host of other social events were neighborhood celebrations. When new families with children moved in, we quickly made them welcome and have maintained friendships with some for decades afterward. Now, why in the world would retirees shun this pleasant lifestyle?

Non-Traditional Retirement Destinations Wooing Boomers

Chattanooga, TN; Austin, TX; Asheville, NC and Massachusetts college towns are among the non-traditional retirement destinations MSN Money has noted as becoming more popular among retirees. Florida is still the king of retirement destinations with over 20 percent of all retirees who move out of state choosing Florida as their destination. Many Baby Boomers are instead choosing places that do not fit the typical notion of a retirement destination.