Experience the Great Outdoors: Discover Nature-Friendly Active Adult Communities

Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?

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Get the details in The 62+ Loan Homebuyers Guide.

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A senior couple relaxing in a park on a summer day.
If you find peace and happiness in nature, one of these communities could be perfect for you.

A scenic nature preserve at the center of a community is always a desirable amenity. It provides a picturesque setting for outdoor recreation, and it’s also beneficial to the environment. If you’re a nature lover, here are active lifestyle communities from all over the country where you can embrace the great outdoors during your retirement.

Pelican Preserve – Fort Myers, FL

Low $300s – Mid $700s

A dock on a pond at Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers, Florida.

An observation boardwalk makes its way through a 38-acre nature preserve at Pelican Preserve in Fort Myers, Florida. The preserve showcases the best of the diverse flora and fauna in the state’s southwestern region. The area is ideal for birdwatching, and the well-maintained boardwalk offers ample space for a casual stroll. Also, there are several benches for enjoying the scenery.

Perfect for nature lovers, this was among the first residential communities in the world to receive Audubon International’s Gold Seal of Sustainability. Pelican Preserve’s Chip Powell-designed golf course also received the Audubon International Gold Signature Certification.

MiraBay – Apollo Beach, FL

High $300s – Mid $1Ms

Palm trees lining a road at MiraBay in Apollo Beach, Florida.

Open to all ages, MiraBay is located in the Tampa Bay area, offering easy access to the 1,400-square-foot Wolf Branch Creek Nature Preserve. Perfect for hiking, bird watching, fishing, and nature study, this preserve features cabbage palm hammocks, natural mangrove shoreline, and offshore seagrass beds. It’s considered a premier example of coastal habitat restoration.

Regency at Palisades – Charlotte, NC

High $400s – Low $800s

The community sign surrounded by trees at Regency at Palisades in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This non-age-restricted community in Charlotte, North Carolina, opens up to the McDowell Nature Preserve, miles of trails, and Lake Wylie for boating. McDowell provides habitat for many types of animals and reptiles and over 100 species of birds. Set on 1,107 acres, the preserve features a nature center, nature trails (in addition to the trails within the community), wildlife viewing, and picnic areas.

Carillon at The Ponds – Summerville, SC

High $200s – High $300s

A bench beside a walking path at Carillon at The Ponds in Summerville, South Carolina.

A 55+ neighborhood situated within a master-planned community, Carillon at The Ponds offers residents convenient access to 21 miles of scenic nature trails, parks, and open space. The entire neighborhood is nature-friendly with onsite ponds, a 20-acre lake, and the 4,000-square-foot Farmhouse, which features community garden plots.

The Patios at The Meadows – Castle Rock, CO

Low $600s – High $900s

Mountains surrounding houses at The Patios at The Meadows in Castle Rock, Colorado.

In Castle Rock, The Patios at Meadows offers proximity to an array of nature parks and open greenspaces. Ridgeline Open Space features 370 acres of parkland as well as a seven-mile trail for hiking and biking. Visitors are invited to bring four-footed friends along, provided they’re on a leash.

Paintbrush Park has a little something for everyone with baseball fields, a rock climbing wall, a dog park, a picnic shelter, and the East Plum Creek Trail. Native Legend Open Space contains miles of trails surrounded by 100 acres of parkland. Leashed dogs are welcome, and both easy and moderate trails are available. The 28-acre Butterfield Crossing Park is a destination for outdoor concerts and also includes a basketball court, baseball field, tennis courts, and a 25-meter outdoor pool.

Biltmore Lake – Asheville, NC

Mid $600s – Mid $1Ms

A boat house on a lake at Biltmore Lake in Asheville, North Carolina.

The Asheville area is well known for its mountainous beauty and artistic vibe. At Biltmore Lake, residents of all ages enjoy water-based activities at the 62-acre lake as well as spectacular views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Additional outdoor recreation opportunities include tennis courts, a basketball court, and four miles of walking and biking trails.

Claremont – Portland, OR

High $400s – Low $1Ms

A fountain on the grounds of Claremont in Portland, Oregon.

Active adults appreciate the small-town charm and natural beauty at Claremont. This 556-home community offers a prime location in scenic Portland. In addition to its 12,000-square-foot clubhouse, Claremont’s grounds include two golf courses, a swimming pool, two tennis courts, lawn bowling, and a croquet lawn.

Jubilee – Lacey, WA

High $300s – Mid $700s

Aerial view of the golf course on the grounds of Jubilee in Lacey, Washington.

Majestic views of Mount Rainier welcome active adults to Jubilee at Hawks Prairie. The community is within two miles of the Puget Sound and within easy access of preserved forests. Its onsite amenities include golf courses, nature trails, and sports courts for tennis, bocce ball, basketball, and pickleball.

Sierra Canyon – Reno, NV

High $400s – Mid $800s

Chairs around a fire pit on the grounds of Sierra Canyon in Reno, Nevada.

Set on the south slope of the Peavine Mountains, Sierra Canyon has 1,226 single-family homes. Its spacious Aspen Lodge clubhouse provides an exciting lineup of resort-style amenities and outdoor activities. Residents can also enjoy spectacular mountain views while socializing on the large clubhouse patio.

Sun City Texas – Georgetown, TX

Low $300s – Low $1Ms

A pond on the grounds of Sun City Texas in Georgetown, Texas.

Spread across 5,300 areas of gorgeous Texas Hill Country, Sun City Texas is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to over 86,000 square feet of indoor amenities, the community’s Legacy Hills Pavilion is an open-air facility which overlooks Berry Creek Lake. This recreation area features nine miles of trails, sports courts, gardening plots, a dog park, and nature preserves.

Rossmoor – Walnut Creek, CA

High $300s – Low $2Ms

A walking path on the grounds of Rossmoor in Walnut Creek, California.

In Northern California, Rossmoor offers active adults over 6,600 homes nestled amid rolling hillsides and mature landscaping. Beyond its natural beauty and appealing homes, Rossmoor features multiple clubhouses and outdoor recreation options including tennis courts, swimming pools, golf courses, and picnic areas.

Hot Springs Village – Hot Springs Village, AR

Mid $100s – High $1Ms

A trail beside a lake on the grounds of Hot Springs Village in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas.

With plans for approximately 9,500 homes, Hot Springs Village is an impressive active adult community in the heart of Central Arkansas. Residents enjoy amenities spread across several recreation centers as well as nine golf courses, eleven lakes, sports courts, and about 26 miles of walking and biking trails.

Del Webb Lake Providence – Mt. Juliet, TN

High $300s – Mid $700s

A garden pathway on the grounds of Del Webb Lake Providence in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.

Overlooking a 15-acre lake, the clubhouse at Lake Providence provides an exciting lineup of indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities. The beautiful lake is stocked for fishing and has a Canoe and Kayak Center for resident boaters. Other outdoor amenities include sports courts, five miles of walking and biking trails, and an amphitheater for performances under the stars.

Del Webb at Lake Oconee – Greensboro, GA

Low $300s – Low $600s

A waterfall beside the community sign for Del Webb at Lake Oconee in Greensboro, Georgia.

Just 75 miles east of Atlanta, Del Webb at Lake Oconee has the distinction of being one of Del Webb’s few communities set on a navigable lake. This rural community features lush grounds with rolling hills and towering trees. Homes are set on large sites with natural landscaping, while recreation options include boating, fishing, tennis, pickleball, softball, and more.

Sun City Hilton Head – Bluffton, SC

High $200s – Mid $1Ms

Chairs around a fire pit beside a pond on the grounds of Sun City Hilton Head in Bluffton, South Carolina.

Active adults who settle at Hilton Head Plantation can enjoy an active lifestyle in one of the state’s premiere resort destinations. This Del Webb community features a semi-tropical setting with unspoiled sea marshes, ancient oaks, and mature landscaping. Residents can also enjoy an impressive lineup of outdoor activities, including golf, fishing, swimming, tennis, pickleball, gardening, and croquet.

Can you spot the $207,744 difference between these identical homes?

Financing is the difference!

Get the details in The 62+ Loan Homebuyers Guide.

55places Mortgage is a joint venture between Mutual of Omaha Mortgage and 55places.com.
Details here.

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A 55+ woman playing on the beach with her dog in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

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Real Estate Commission Changes: What It Means for 55+ Homebuyers and Sellers

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently wrapped up some big lawsuits accusing them and brokerages of keeping real estate commissions sky-high. But how (if at all) will it change the process for 55+ homebuyers and sellers? 55places is here to give you a complete picture of the changes on the horizon.

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We’re changing the way people 55 and older are searching for their perfect next place. With a national network of hand-selected real estate experts, plus comprehensive information, unbiased content, and on-the-go insight about thousands of communities across the country, we’re a trusted resource paving the way from here to home. Whether you’re interested in a low-maintenance single-level residence, an active lifestyle or age-qualified community, an intimate enclave, or anything in between, we can help you make your next move the best one yet.

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