There are over 120 active adult neighborhoods in the Philadelphia area. But if you want to be close to the best historic landmarks, museums, concert venues, shopping, and restaurants, you’ll want to settle near the heart of the city. There are four of 55+ communities in Philadelphia, and they are more affordable and offer more than you might think.
Mid $300s - Mid $400s
With its reasonably-priced homes and attractive amenities, The Arbours at Eagle Pointe is a real find for retirees looking to settle down near the City of Brotherly Love. It was built from 2008 to 2020 by Westrum Development Company. It offers 398 resale attached and single-family homes.
The two attached floor plans range from 2,181 to 2,362 square feet with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached one-car garages. Dens and lofts are optional.
There are six single-family models, with two bedrooms, two or two-and-a-half bathrooms, and attached one- or two-car garages. Look for designer features like generously-sized master suites, cherry cabinets, and hardwood floors.
The Arbours also has a homeowners’ association (HOA) that provides exterior building and common area maintenance, snow removal, and lawn care. This will give you more time to enjoy the private 5,000-square-foot clubhouse, which has an outdoor pool and spa, an exercise room, a locker room, gathering rooms, a catering kitchen, sports courts, and a friendly pub. You can also explore the scenic lakes, putting green, and natural space on the property.
This newer retirement community is in the Somerton area of Northeast Philly, across from Benjamin Rush State Park and close to the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The closest hospitals are Holy Redeemer and Jefferson Torresdale. You’ll be glad to know that there’s also a ShopRite, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target nearby.
Below $100k - High $100s
If you’re looking to downsize, Park Plaza Condominiums might be exactly what you’ve been searching for. It’s an established condo community that’s close to some of Philly’s biggest landmarks. It even offers a 24-hour front desk and its own garage parking. Some of the floor plans are close to 1,900 square feet, but there are smaller ones as well.
There are 339 condominium homes here ranging from 578 to 1,867 square feet with one to three bedrooms and one to two baths. Residents enjoy the comfortable eat-in kitchens, roomy master bedrooms with en-suite bathroom, and eat-in kitchens. When the weather is nice, residents can relax on their balconies. The HOA fee covers trash pickup, lawn care, snow removal, utilities, and amenities.
This dynamic community is not age-restricted, but the entire setup caters to active adult lifestyles. Besides the elevators, garage, and front desk, there are indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, and storage areas.
Also, thanks to the community’s desirable location, you’ll have easy access to some of the most popular attractions in the city. To start, Park Plaza is right across the street from Fairmount Park and the Schuylkill River. Other nearby points of interest include the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the Please Touch Museum. All of these are perfect for spending a day with friends or family (especially your grandchildren).
Top local hospitals include Roxborough Memorial, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue, and Jefferson Health.
Low $200s - Mid $200s
Delaire Landing is another established condo community, but it offers more variety with over 900 resale units within its gated, waterfront property. Models are sized from 806 to 1,531 square feet, with one to two bedrooms and bathrooms. Residents park in secure, outdoor lots. Each condo has either a balcony or a patio, plus its own laundry area for a washer and dryer.
Some of these condos may include updated kitchens with newer appliances, updated bathrooms, hardwood floors, and wraparound kitchen countertops. The HOA fee provides for lawn and common area maintenance, security, trash and snow removal, and cable TV.
Delaire Landing also has some impressive amenities, such as two outdoor pools and patios, a fitness center, a barbecue area, and two tennis courts.
This friendly condo community is also not age-restricted, but it’s perfect for retirees who enjoy waterfront living (the Delaware River). Golfers can head to the John F. Byrne Golf Club to play the course. It’s public, and the greens fees are under $40. More locations for outdoor fun include Pleasant Hill Park, Fluehr Park, and Amico Island Park. You’ll also find a Whole Foods, Walmart, Lowe’s, and Giant close by, plus the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Mid $300s - Mid $400s
Can’t decide if you want to retire in a condo or an attached home? The Villages at Pine Valley has both.
The apartment-style condos range from 800 to 1,400 square feet with one to two bedrooms, one-and-a-half or two bathrooms, dens, and options like balconies and stainless steel appliances. The carriage-style homes were built into quad configurations and are sized from 1,331 to 3,243 square feet with one to three bedrooms, one-and-a-half to three baths, and attached one-car garages or driveway parking. Features may include wrap-around front porches and lofts.
Even though The Villages is on the smaller side, it has exceptional amenities and lifestyle groups. There’s a clubhouse with a movie theater, a fitness center, gathering rooms, and an outdoor pool and patio. Some of the most popular clubs and activities include happy hours, game nights, day trips, Bingo, and yoga.
The Villages is adjacent to Pennypack Park, which is well-suited for walking, running, biking, hiking, and even horseback riding. Also worth mentioning: This age-restricted community is close to Walnut Lane Golf Club, the exciting Parx Casino, Temple University Hospital, and Holy Redeemer Hospital.
