Active adult communities offer amenities and activities that appeal to many retirees and empty nesters. Choosing a community is subjective, and any potential resident will have their own particular interests and preferred amenities. But what features can be found at an award winning active adult community? Since 1992, the Best of 50+ Housing Awards have been presented annually by the National Association of Home Builders’ 50+ Housing Council. These awards are given each April at a gala event in Philadelphia. Winners are chosen from the communities submitted for review. Beyond selecting award winners, the 50+ Housing Council works year round with National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) members in all aspects of 50+ community living, including design, development, management, sales and marketing.

In active adult communities across the country, retirees are learning that it is never too late to start music lessons. In fact, retirement can be an ideal time to renew an interest in a long-forgotten instrument or pick up an entirely new musical skill. Parents often encourage their children to take up music lessons of some kind. Likewise, school programs strive to introduce music to all students. Not all children immediately take to music lessons. Perhaps they are too busy with other interests, have trouble sustaining the concentration to practice, or simply haven’t yet gained an appreciation for music. The musical seeds that were sewn in youth often do take hold later in life.

The home buyer tax credit is a chance to financially augment retirement living with a new home and lower taxes. The first and most clear way to benefit from the new home buyer tax credit is the $6,500.00 check that could be paid to home buyers by the Department of the Treasury if the property is indentured by April 30, 2010. In the case of first time home buyers the tax credit is even higher at $8,000.00. Each qualifying home is subject to one tax credit regardless of the number of buyers, however the buyers can agree upon the distribution of the credit.

Many Baby Boomers dream of retiring to beautiful vacation destinations. Age restricted active adult communities have responded by offering convenient living in picturesque settings. Whether dreams include a beach, mountain or desert retirement, chances are there is an active adult community ready to cater to that dream. Yet there are a number of retirees who would prefer to spend their retirement years in more urban environments. There are many reasons behind an urban retirement. Some retirees have always been city dwellers and want to stay in their current homes where they can live near familiar people and places. Others may have been happy to raise their children in the suburbs, but want to move back to the city once their children are grown and on their own.

The Sunshine State has long been a hot spot for retirement living, yet lately some active adults have been skipping the coastal areas and opting to settle in central Florida’s active adult communities. What’s behind this relocating trend? Central Florida has many of the same relocation draws as its coastal cities. The weather is hot in the summer and mild in the winter. It is a prime vacation spot for visiting family, and there are a variety of recreational activities and active adult communities. Yet central Florida active adult communities have a few extra benefits that attract many retirees.

How you pay for your retirement home can have a noteworthy pecuniary impact during your retirement years. Choosing the right option should take into account retirement income, tax bracket, lifestyle, savings, health, economic and market conditions. If the money for the retirement home is coming from the sale of another property or is already available in capital savings, how that money is allocated in to retirement property can potentially raise or lower standard of living significantly. For example, retirement home funds divided into two parts with which two smaller homes rather than one larger home are purchased. This option provides potential income through rental of the second property and capital savings in both the homes. In this situation, paying cash is a good choice.

Even retirees need a vacation. Jim and Linda Beaver recently toured Italy and found the trip a relaxing change of pace from their usual retirement routine. Even retirees need a vacation. Jim and Lidia Beaver recently toured Italy and found the trip a relaxing change of pace from their usual retirement routine. Though some people envision retirement as a permanent vacation, retirees know that the reality is a bit less idyllic. Retirees may spend the majority of their time on projects and activities of their own choosing, yet they still have busy schedules and can benefit by taking time away from their day-to-day routines and family commitments. After talking about the trip for nearly ten years, it was a family wedding in Florence that finally prompted retirees Jim and Lidia Beaver to take their long-awaited tour through Italy and Sicily. Although the whirlwind visit included a lot of walking and traveling from city to city, the couple returned to their Ohio home feeling invigorated.

Active adults know that learning does not end after high school or college graduation. Learning is a lifelong process that brings texture and color to an otherwise beige existence. Adults often have interests they would like to explore, but the responsibilities of career and raising families keep them from having the time or ability to follow these pursuits. Many active adult communities understand their residents’ desire to learn, and partner with local colleges to provide easily accessible education opportunities. Several colleges across the country have lifelong learning programs which offer continuing education for those not seeking a college degree.