by Susan Quilty on December 18, 2009
Moving to an active adult community is a dream for many adults. Yet making the dream a reality by choosing a community to live in can be fraught with indecision and self-doubt. By asking many questions you can avoid some potential problems, understand the role of the community’s Home Owners Association (HOA) and know that you have made the best decision for your family.
1. What is the reputation of both the community and the builder? While the community amenities and the house you intend to buy are likely to be your primary focus, you should take the time to learn more about the community’s builder. A builder such as Del Webb, who developed their first age restricted community in 1960 and now has nearly 60 active adult communities across the United States, has the experience needed to run a successful community.
by Susan Quilty on September 20, 2009
Baby Boomers have long shaped the consumer landscape. As this dynamic generation heads into retirement, their demands for both style and function continue to be a positive influence on the interior design world. In planning what is likely to be their last homes, Baby Boomer retirees are clamoring for affordable furnishings and design plans that meet their changing needs.
There are many qualities that Baby Boomers look for in their interior design plans. The following six style trends are currently on the rise:
by Melanie Grimes on July 27, 2009
The editors of the AARP Magazine recently selected its Top Ten Best Places to Live a Simple Life. Cities were selected based on U.S. Census demographics and the final list of 25 was culled further by the editors, based on criterion such as low cost of living and geographic diversity. Other factors included walkability, a low crime rate, and access to the outdoors. Cities with universities were favored, for the flavor and culture they bring, along with employment opportunities that fuel jobs and a strong economy.
The list included:
1. Tucson, Arizona
2. Greenville, South Carolina
3. Montpelier Vermont
4. Logan, Utah
by Bill Ness on June 10, 2009
55Places.com announced the top 10 active adult retirement communities in Arizona for 2009. Communities were evaluated based on location, amenities, lifestyle, homes and value. The results were compiled after an extensive two-month review. The information was gathered via community tours and interviews with homeowners, potential buyers and local real estate agents.
by Bill Ness on May 31, 2009
Moving to an active adult community is an exciting change for many people. One of the top complaints of residents who move to active lifestyle communities is, “they wish they would have done it sooner.” Yet, the fear for many older adults is that packing up and leaving a neighborhood filled with good friends, family and close neighbors prevents them from pursuing life in an active adult community.
by Bill Ness on April 22, 2009
In just two years, the oldest of the Baby Boomers will be turning 65. As this group approaches retirement, they are expected to migrate in large numbers to new towns and cities across the country.
Between 2010 and 2020 the senior population is expected to grow by 36 percent. This graying of America’s largest body of citizens is not expected to spread evenly across the map. Boomers are expected to gravitate towards areas of the country that provide a low cost of living, mild climates, culture or activity, reasonably priced real estate and adequate health care.
US News & World Report recently compiled a list of the 20 top cities where Boomers are most likely to retire.
by Bill Ness on March 20, 2009
When searching for an active retirement community, there are many factors to consider. Besides the usual price, location, amenities and lifestyle options, many people have a preference of living in new construction communities versus communities that only offer resale homes. There are many pros and cons to each type of community (info on new versus resale homes).
With the recent real estate slowdown, many builders have put plans on hold for new communities or scrapped plans altogether. As a result, new construction retirement communities in southern California are not as plentiful as they were in the past. But if southern California is your retirement destination, and you are determined to find new construction, check out these communities where there are still plenty of new construction homes.
by Bill Ness on March 2, 2009
Moving to a retirement community can be a daunting thought for many Baby Boomers. The thought of selling the home you have lived in for many years, leaving neighbors, friends and family is enough to deter many retirees from making any kind of change at all.
by Bill Ness on February 3, 2009
Today’s retirees are embracing all kinds of new hobbies in their retirement years. When the concept of retirement communities started with Del Webb’s Sun City back in the 1960’s, golf seemed to dominate the desire for many retirees to pack up and move to Arizona, a gorgeous environment where golf was possible 12 months out of the year.
by Bill Ness on December 27, 2008
According to the North Carolina Center for Creative Retirement, 16.6 percent of retirees who move out of state will ultimately settle on Florida as their preferred retirement destination. Even though sales in Florida have slowed in recent years, there are still thousands of retirees who are looking to take advantage of great prices offered by the oversupply of homes in Florida.
by Bill Ness on October 18, 2008
For many retirees, proximity to the ocean and beaches is a top requirement. Whether your motivation is surfing, swimming, snorkeling, fishing or just relaxing, beaches are a necessity that some retirees just cannot escape. While most retirees can recount a vast number of beaches to call their favorites, there is one source many have relied on to find the most pristine beaches around the country. For the past 18 years, Doctor Stephen P. Leatherman (aka “Dr. Beach”), a noted environmental scientist and director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research, has published his list of the top 10 beaches across the U.S.
by Bill Ness on April 18, 2008
The AARP recently compiled a report “How Well Do You Know Boomers?” The report focuses on dispelling 10 Boomer Myths by separating fact from fiction. “Boomers are redefining age and changing the way business is done” said Howard Byck, VP Corporate Development for AARP Services. “Contrary to many common assumptions, Boomers are making retirement obsolete, are very savvy about advertising, and are experimenting with new products.”
by Bill Ness on April 4, 2008
It is expected that by 2011, the number of Baby Boomers who use the Internet at least once a month will grow to 63.7 million. That means that 4 out of every 5 Baby Boomers will use the Internet in some fashion. Although the Baby Boomers are not known for being the most technology savvy generation, they are embracing the power of the Internet in record numbers. With the increase in the number of Baby Boomers comes an increase in the number of sites catering to this demographic. PC Magazine recently compiled a list of the 10 best sites for Baby Boomers. Unfortunately, 55Places.com did not make the cut, but we are confident that we that if the list included 11 websites instead of 10, we would have made the list!
by Bill Ness on January 18, 2008
Well, at least that is what Evanston real estate agent Mark Nash predicts for the coming year. Nash is an agent with Coldwell Banker and as he does every year, Nash has made his list of predictions as to what will become mainstream for homes in 2008. Here is what he is predicting:
What’s In:
- Home Buyers. In 2008 the buyers will rule the industry and they know it. Expect buyers to take their time and be very picky.
- Destination Bathrooms. Homeowners are more than ever lavishing their master bathrooms as spa-like getaways. Don’t be surprised to see bathrooms outfitted with wireless internet, flat screen TV’s and espresso machines.
by Bill Ness on November 23, 2007
Spending years working in a Del Webb 55+ active adult community, I heard from many single people that didn’t feel welcome in an active adult community because they thought it was a “couples” community. They felt they would be ostracized by their neighbors because they would be unable to participate in typical activities without a partner.
If you are a single person, the notion of making a move to a 55+ active retirement community may at first seem uncomfortable, but there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, there are sure to be many other single residents in the community, both male and female. In my experience, I have seen the singles population in active retirement communities range from 24-46%.
