Lake Providence is a Del Webb active adult community near Nashville, Tennessee. This gated community offers a resort lifestyle with 1,069 homes centered around a large clubhouse overlooking a 15-acre lake. Residents enjoy 80 clubs and an on-site lifestyle director. Lake Providence has experienced strong sales in recent years, despite the real estate downturn. The community's ideal location, proximity to the culture of Nashville, world-class amenities and active lifestyle have drawn retirees from all corners of the country.

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

The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) is a program available to homeowners over the age of 62. The HECM is a type of reverse mortgage that enables homeowners who have little or no mortgage balance to borrow against the equity in their home. The main benefit of this type of loan is that it allows seniors to convert home equity into cash. The FHA insurance program insures this HUD approved loan. This is a good option for senior homeowners who have a small outstanding mortgage and want to cash it out without selling their homes.

Last week, Del Webb scrapped plans to continue with their much-hyped La Cresta active adult community near Orlando. La Cresta opened in 2006 in the planned golf community of Ridgewood Lakes. It was to offer 1,900 homes and a 31,000 square foot recreation center that would have included a state-of-the-art fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and outdoor activities, such as golf, tennis, nature trails, canoeing, horseshoes, bocce ball, and fishing.

Today’s active adults are creating a building boon for builders and architects as they design homes that cater to the needs of their active lifestyle. New trends in building are popular in adult active communities, including environmentally friendly design, energy saving building, and ease of use fixtures and appliances. Here are some of the latest trends enticing baby boomers.

Many adults who move to an active retirement community are attracted by the desire to have a maintenance free lifestyle. Nowadays, builders are focusing heavily on designing homes that are easy to maintain and require minimal upkeep. Before purchasing in an active adult community you should give careful consideration to the level of care and maintenance your new home will require. Be wary of builders offering “no maintenance” homes or “maintenance free” homes as sometimes that is not actually the case.