Is a 55+ Active Adult Community Right for You?

Think 55-plus communities are full of old folks who just want to be inside playing pinochle?

Think again! These communities are places where residents can grow older, without slowing down. “Most 55-aged people are still very vivacious and very active and athletic and want to do fun things, so that’s how we are and how we would like to continue on in our retirement,” says Cheryl Drake, a homebuyer at Verano at Aliento by Pardee Homes, a gated 55-plus community inside a larger multi-generational new-home community in Santa Clara, Calif.

Today’s active adult communities are far from retirement communities. Those who buy in 55-plus communities are still quite active and, in many cases, are not yet retired. In fact, a recent Gallup poll found that most people plan to retire at 66.

Why Choose a 55+ Community?

While many of those who seek out a 55-plus community are not retired, many are empty nesters who are at a stage where they want to downsize or simply want less home maintenance to deal with. Many 55-plus new-home communities also feature the latest amenities. Walking trails, concierge services and even community gardens are a few of the amenities that home shoppers can find in a 55-plus community.

Common amenities include community pools (which means no cleaning the pool or need to deal with balancing PH levels!) and lawn maintenance, so residents can have a nice yard without having to work so hard on keeping it that way. Fitness centers are also popular attractions, as residents can stay active and fit, without the hassle of a gym membership.

Homebuyers in active adult communities say the thing that is most attractive about these communities is their neighbors; they are finding other folks who at the same life stage they are and creating new friendships. The social activities provided through community clubhouses and even through community-sponsored events mean it’s easy for residents to enjoy neighbors via hobbies.

“The people who are choosing to move into this kind of community think the same way that we do: their children are grown, they are ready for an adult lifestyle,” Drake says, adding that this closeness creates a safe environment for her and her husband.

A close-knit community of neighbors in the same life stage, coupled with a community with lots of activities and security, makes a 55-plus community an attractive option for new homebuyers. So, is a 55-plus active community right for you? To find the perfect 55-plus community, search NewHomeSource today.