OVERVIEW
Touring 55+ and active adult communities requires evaluating multiple factors before committing to a purchase, including social calendar activity, HOA fees, clubhouse amenities, home floor plans, and surrounding area conveniences. Age-restricted communities vary widely in size and atmosphere. Because HOA fees vary widely, active adult homebuyers should compare communities systematically across categories like community grounds, lifestyle programming, and home design.
Exploring 55+ communities can be an exciting step toward a new chapter filled with freedom, connection, and lifestyle upgrades. But for many active adults, touring communities quickly becomes overwhelming. Between evaluating amenities, comparing home designs, and understanding financial obligations, it’s easy to lose sight of the details that matter most.
Before you visit, it helps to know exactly what you’re comparing. You’re able to map the six categories to evaluate when touring a 55+ community so that you can size up each community against the same checklist.
What to Evaluate on a 55+ Community Tour
| Category | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Community Atmosphere | Social calendar and event frequency, whether residents work or are retired, year-round vs. seasonal neighbors, and how well the grounds are maintained |
| Community Amenities | Clubhouse and community center spaces, outdoor amenities and sports facilities, and whether a full-time lifestyle director is on staff |
| Homeowners’ Association (HOA) | What monthly fees cover, community rules and restrictions, and reserve funds set aside for upcoming projects |
| Home Design | Home sizes and lot dimensions, one-level living options, floor plans, and architectural styles |
| Surrounding Area | Proximity to hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and shopping, plus local transportation options |
| Finances | HOA fees and annual increases, one-time capital or investment fees, minimum reserve requirements, and any required memberships |
To help streamline your search, we’ve created a comprehensive checklist covering everything from social calendars to HOA fees. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or narrowing down your final options, this guide will empower you to make informed decisions and find the perfect community for your next phase of life.
Get the Full Touring Checklist
Print this checklist before your next tour and check off each item as you go, from social calendars to HOA fees.
Community Atmosphere
Like any state, city, or neighborhood, 55+ communities have unique atmospheres that encapsulate the overall lifestyle many residents experience. Here are a few suggestions for what to look for in a 55+ community’s collective atmosphere.
Social Calendar
Most 55+ communities maintain full social calendars, which offer ample opportunities to pursue new hobbies, enjoy favorite pastimes, and meet like-minded neighbors. Interested homebuyers should review the social calendar as an essential piece of what to look for in a 55+ community.
Cost and Location
Homebuyers should also consider how busy they want their social lives to be when choosing a community. Some communities may have only a few annual events, while others may plan activities for nearly every day of the year. Cost is another factor to contemplate, as some social events and clubs may encourage or require a financial contribution to participate.
Be sure to note the location of the activities, clubs, and classes listed on the social calendar. Communities with clubhouses, amenity complexes, or on-site town squares host most events within the neighborhood. In contrast, residents of smaller communities may need to travel outside the community for some meet-ups or activities.
Clubs, Classes, and Activities
Many clubs, classes, and activities fill the social calendars of 55+ communities, including sports, interest clubs, crafts, educational opportunities, parties, social gatherings, community outings, and even group trips. Some communities offer hundreds of unique clubs and interest groups for their residents to explore.
When considering a 55+ community, active adults should find out whether clubs or activities already exist on the social calendar that interest them. If not, it may be worth looking into how easy it is to start a club. Many communities support and encourage new clubs and groups as long as certain parameters are met.
Are the residents retired?
Learning more about the lifestyles of a community’s current residents may help active adults find the community that best suits their needs and preferences. One simple way to find common ground with potential neighbors is to learn how many still work and how many are retired. Retirees may prefer living near other retirees so they can more easily acclimate to the community’s atmosphere.
Do residents live in the community year-round?
Many 55+ communities, especially in the South, attract residents who live there only for certain months of the year. Retirees commonly called “snowbirds” travel to and live in the South during the winter months to avoid harsh, cold weather. Active adults looking for year-round communities may want to know whether their new neighbors will live there most of the year or only part of it.
Community Grounds
Community grounds contribute significantly to the overall atmosphere of a 55+ community. Many age-restricted communities meticulously care for their landscaping and make portions of their grounds dedicated to parks and conservation areas. Active adults searching for a 55+ community should pay close attention to how well the grounds are maintained. Also, look for walking and biking trails to enjoy these outdoor spaces better.
Community Amenities
From spacious clubhouses to outdoor pools to pickleball courts, amenities often offer the most exciting benefits of life in a 55+ community. These shared facilities and services can even be the deciding factor, so homebuyers should carefully compare the range of amenities each development offers.
Clubhouse
Most 55+ communities center social life on a clubhouse or community center, the hub for events and everyday gatherings. Clubhouses range widely in size, but many include fitness centers, indoor pools, libraries, ballrooms, and community kitchens. Beyond the basics, many add arts-and-crafts rooms, workshop or hobby studios, movie theaters and media rooms, on-site dining, and computer or technology spaces.
Those extras shape daily life more than they might seem to. A dedicated workshop means you can take up woodworking without giving up your own garage. An on-site restaurant gives neighbors an easy place to land after the morning walk.
Outdoor Amenities
Outdoor amenities give residents room to stay active and unwind close to home. Many 55+ communities offer multiple swimming pools, walking and biking trails, parks, ponds and lakes, amphitheaters, barbecue areas, and community gardens. A community garden is a small perk with a real payoff, giving residents a place to grow their own vegetables and get to know neighbors over the raised beds.
For those who like to play sports, athletic facilities often include bocce ball, tennis, pickleball, shuffleboard, cycling paths, and basketball. Many communities also feature championship golf courses, although golf club memberships may or may not be included with residency.
Some larger master-planned communities include amenity complexes, town squares, or retail areas. These areas can offer everything from medical centers and shopping outlets to on-site restaurants and movie theaters. Residents often use golf carts or community-wide transportation to get around.
A Lifestyle Director
Homebuyers should also consider whether a community employs a full-time lifestyle director. A lifestyle director brings is community to life by scheduling a thriving social calendar, hosting events, and creating fun opportunities. Residents can also share new ideas for clubs and social gatherings with the lifestyle director, who can bring those shared interests to life.
With such a variety of amenity options, active adults can often find several 55+ communities that cater to their interests.
Homeowners’ Association (HOA)
When touring a 55+ community, the homeowners’ association is an important consideration. Most 55+ communities have resident-funded HOAs. While the role of the HOA can vary between communities, the most frequent responsibilities include maintaining community grounds and amenities, upholding and enforcing community guidelines and regulations, and responding to comments, questions, or concerns from residents.
HOA Fees
Active adult homebuyers should consider HOA fees and what they cover. HOA fees may cover exterior home maintenance, landscaping, community grounds maintenance, amenity access, trash removal, snow removal, and sometimes cable and/or internet.
Interested homebuyers should also research the rules and regulations an HOA enforces to make sure they would be willing to comply when moving to the community. Some common rules include restrictions on visitors, rentals, and pets. Other surprising rules may exist, so potential residents should review HOA documents and guidelines thoroughly.
HOAs also hold cash reserves for upcoming community projects. Active adults should know what projects are on the horizon, such as roof replacements, clubhouse remodels, or new amenities.
Home Design
Different 55+ community builders offer unique home styles and floor plans. With such a diversity of home types, layouts, features, and architectural styles across the country, homebuyers can enjoy discovering the builder that best meets their needs and preferences.
Related Article: What Types of Homes Are Available in Retirement Communities?
Sizes and Square Footage
First, consider the size and square footage of different home options, along with the lot size. Active adults should ask what size home best fits the lifestyle they want, rather than their current lifestyle. For many retirees, this means downsizing into a smaller home with less upkeep and fewer burdens. Consider whether hosting guests is common; if so, look for homes with ample indoor and outdoor entertaining space.
Home types also range well beyond single-family houses. Many 55+ communities offer attached villas and townhomes, which appeal to buyers who want less exterior upkeep. With lawn care and outside maintenance often handled for them, they have more of the week free for everything else.
One-Level Living
Many active adults look for ranch-style homes that provide one-level living. Many two-story homes in 55+ communities let residents live on the main floor while using the second story for visitors and guests. Those who want main-floor living should look for homes with the primary suite and laundry on the ground level to avoid continuous trips up and down stairs.
Community Layout
For homes on larger lots with abundant landscaping, homebuyers should clarify whether the HOA will maintain the yard or if the homeowner is responsible. Homebuyers should also notice the overall layout of residences within the community, including how much space separates each property.
Architectural Styles
Beyond practical factors like square footage and number of bedrooms, homebuyers can explore different home styles. Many 55+ communities tend to have a homogeneous style that reinforces the community atmosphere, such as Cape Cod-style homes in the East or beach-themed bungalows near the coast.
Floor Plans
Next, homebuyers should consider the individual floor plans of homes within a 55+ community. Many well-known 55+ community developers pride themselves on offering a wide variety of floor plans to suit homebuyers’ preferences. For those wanting to build a new home, these developers offer many customization and expansion options, such as extended outdoor patios, fireplaces, extra flex rooms, and more. Look for 55+ communities with green and smart home features to reduce energy costs and make life at home more convenient.
Keep Track as You Compare Communities
Touring several communities back-to-back makes it easy to mix up details. Download the checklist to note home design features, HOA terms, and amenities side by side.
Surrounding Area
With hundreds of 55+ communities to choose from across the nation, many active adults narrow their search to a particular geographic area. The surrounding area is just as important. While many communities offer plenty of conveniences and things to do within the neighborhood, residents also spend much of their time outside the community exploring the surrounding area.
Homebuyers should ask themselves whether they want to move to a community that’s close to a city, in a more rural setting, or somewhere that’s in between. Communities closer to big cities may have more restaurants, entertainment, and conveniences nearby, while those in the country will offer peace, seclusion, and less traffic.
Any 55+ community should have nearby local amenities, including hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and shopping centers. Consider investigating the local transportation options available to residents besides cars. While some 55+ communities may offer community transportation like buses and trams, active adults may benefit from public transportation, trains, bike shares, or other options.
Related Article: Do 55+ Communities Offer Transportation Services?
55+ Homebuying Finance Questions
Some 55+ communities have financial requirements, and potential homebuyers need to understand these restrictions and regulations fully. Buyers should consult trusted financial professionals to prepare their finances and meet any qualifications outlined in the 55+ homebuying process.
HOA
In addition to monthly or annual HOA fees, new residents of a 55+ community may need to meet other financial requirements to appease the homeowners’ association. Some HOAs may also require a minimum reserve, or a minimum amount in the purchaser’s bank account, for purchasers to qualify to buy a home.
Active adults should also understand that HOA fees can change and may increase annually. HOAs raise their fees for many reasons, including to adjust for inflation or to increase their budget for projects and improvements. Homebuyers should ask how much HOA fees increase each year and why, to ensure the increases are fair.
Related Article: What Are Special Assessment Fees in HOA Communities? A Plain-Language Guide
Homeownership Costs
Some exclusive, age-restricted communities require homeowners to meet certain criteria to purchase a residence. These may include additional fees or special financial requirements. Homebuyers should research and prepare for these expenses before committing to a particular community or home.
Keep in mind any special services or memberships homeowners need to purchase to live in a 55+ community. For example, some communities with golf courses or adjacent to private courses require residents to secure memberships.
Financing Your Home
How buyers pay for a home in a 55+ community varies as much as the homes themselves. Some active adults sell a longtime home first and pay cash with the proceeds; others finance the purchase, and many use a mix of the two.
Mortgage options are available to 55+ buyers just as they are to any homebuyer. It helps to understand what a lender will ask for and how a loan would fit alongside HOA fees and other ongoing costs. At this stage, the goal isn’t to lock anything in. It’s to know which questions to ask before you tour.
FAQ: Touring a 55+ Community
What do HOA fees cover in a 55+ community?
HOA fees in a 55+ community often cover exterior home maintenance, landscaping, community grounds upkeep, access to amenities, trash removal, snow removal, and sometimes cable and/or internet. What’s included varies by community; confirm exactly which services your fees cover before buying.
Do HOA fees in 55+ communities increase over time?
Yes, HOA fees can change and may increase annually. HOAs raise fees for reasons like inflation adjustments or expanding budgets for projects and improvements, so ask how much fees rise each year and why.
What amenities do 55+ communities typically offer?
Most 55+ communities center on a clubhouse that may include fitness centers, indoor pools, libraries, ballrooms, media rooms, restaurants, and arts-and-crafts studios. Outdoor amenities often include swimming pools, walking trails, community gardens, and sports facilities like pickleball, bocce ball, tennis, and shuffleboard, with many communities featuring championship golf courses.
What is a lifestyle director in a 55+ community?
A lifestyle director is a staff member responsible for scheduling a thriving social calendar, hosting events, and bringing fun opportunities to the community. Residents can also bring new ideas for clubs and gatherings to the lifestyle director, who helps turn those shared interests into reality.
Do you have to be retired to live in a 55+ community?
No, not all residents of 55+ communities are retired. Knowing how many neighbors still work versus how many are retired can help you gauge the community’s atmosphere; some retirees prefer living around others who are also retired.
What is a capital improvement or investment fee?
A capital improvement or investment fee is a one-time lump-sum payment made to the HOA when you purchase a home. Some HOAs may also require a minimum reserve, meaning a minimum amount in the purchaser’s bank account to qualify to buy.
What should I know about HOA rules before buying in a 55+ community?
HOA rules often include restrictions on visitors, rentals, and pets, along with other guidelines that may surprise you. Review all HOA documents thoroughly before buying to make sure you’re willing to, and ask about upcoming reserve-funded projects like roof replacements or clubhouse remodels.
Are single-story homes common in 55+ communities?
Yes, many active adults seek ranch-style homes that provide one-level living. Some two-story options let residents live on the main floor while reserving second-story spaces for guests, so those wanting main-floor living should look for homes with the primary suite and laundry on the ground level.
How important is the area surrounding a 55+ community?
The surrounding area is just as important as the community itself, since residents spend much of their time exploring nearby. Look for essential amenities like hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and shopping centers close by, and decide whether you prefer proximity to a major city or a quieter, more rural setting.
Can you start a new club in a 55+ community?
Yes, many 55+ communities support and encourage residents to found new clubs and groups, as long as certain parameters are met. If the social calendar doesn’t already include activities that interest you, it’s worth asking; starting one is easy.
What is the 80/20 rule in a 55+ community?
The 80/20 rule comes from the federal Housing for Older Persons Act, and it shapes how many age-restricted communities operate. Under this provision, at least 80% of occupied units must have at least one resident age 55 or older, which leaves some flexibility for the remaining homes. That flexibility is why policies on younger spouses, adult children, or caregivers can differ from one community to the next. It’s worth confirming. It’s exactly how a community applies the 80/20 rule during your tour.
What types of 55+ communities are there?
There are several types of 55+ communities, and it’s worth sorting out the differences early. Age-restricted communities require at least one resident to meet the minimum age, while age-targeted communities are designed with older adults in mind but don’t enforce an age rule. They also range from large master-planned communities with hundreds of homes and extensive amenities to smaller, more intimate neighborhoods. Independent living communities are a related option for those who want less home upkeep while still living on their own.
How can I finance a home in a 55+ community?
Financing a home in a 55+ community works much like any other home purchase. Buyers commonly use proceeds from selling a previous home, take out a mortgage, or combine the two, and mortgage options are open to 55+ buyers just as they are to any homebuyer. Beyond the loan itself, it’s smart to consider the community’s HOA requirements, such as a one-time capital or investment fee and any minimum reserve you’ll need to qualify. Understanding these costs upfront makes it easier to compare communities on a level playing field.
How do I keep track of details when touring multiple communities?
Touring several communities back to back makes details easy to mix up, so using a checklist to note home design features, HOA terms, and amenities side by side is the best way to compare. 55places.com offers a free downloadable touring checklist you can print and check off as you go.
How do I find and tour the right 55+ community for me?
Start by narrowing your shortlist based on atmosphere, amenities, home design, HOA terms, and location, then see the communities in person. A local 55+ real estate expert at 55places.com can help you line up tours of the communities on your shortlist and answer the questions this checklist raises along the way.
55places.com Makes Touring 55+ Communities Easy
You’ve seen what you’ve been looking for. Now use it on your next tour. Download our free checklist as your guide, and when you’re ready to take your next step, contact 55places.com to connect with experienced real estate professionals who can help make your ideal retirement a reality.
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