Active Adult Hometown Retirement Options

Retiring today isn’t the same as it was a generation ago, and the new housing market is changing to reflect that. Today’s active adult communities can be found in locations far from traditional areas like Florida and California. They are geared to the rising numbers of retiring boomers who have discovered that they want the advantages of living in 55+ communities, but don’t necessarily want to leave the towns where they’ve lived for years.

Contributing to the popularity of these homes is the desire to be close to family and friends. Another consideration is the high cost of housing in the more popular retirement communities, where costs have skyrocketed due to demand and the shortage of property.

One of the most successful developers in this niche market is Pulte Homes, which now has active adult retirement communities in over seventeen states under the name Del Webb Communities. Each of these developments includes lifestyle directors, professional landscapers, snow removal and homeowners associations. Pulte projects that they will have over one hundred active adult communities by 2008.

Because of their increasing popularity, more home builders are jumping on the bandwagon, developing their own style of 55+ communities for active seniors who tend to have disposable income and expect plenty of amenities. With over 75 million retirees reaching their golden years, it’s a market that can be very profitable.

The typical active adult retirement community offers one-story homes that are wheel-chair accessible for future needs while offering all the extras of fine living. Between 400 and 600 homes, most two- or three- bedroom, have distinctive design and curbside appeal. Also typical are spacious clubhouses for parties and meetings, health clubs, swimming pools and a variety of recreational facilities from golf courses to tennis courts.

Developers prefer to fill these new active adult communities with local residents who are familiar with the area and are looking to stay close to family and friends. Although some communities are wary of adding large developments, active adult communities seem to be an exception.

Active adult retirement communities contribute significantly to local revenue because of the purchasing power of retirees and use fewer resources than many other projects with the same number of homes because most houses are occupied by couples or singles rather than families with children. Residents tend to spend more, volunteer more and they don’t overload school districts.

Active adult communities in retirees’ home states are becoming increasingly popular for another reason, too. Many people today reach retirement age and don’t want to stop working. They may continue to work and be very active, but no longer want to take care of a large yard or have to shovel snow. Community living is the perfect balance, providing spacious living so that they can continue to entertain and invite their families to visit while requiring less upkeep. With hundreds of other retirees in most active adult retirement communities, residents also have plenty of friends to socialize with – and most likely they will know some of them from their hometown.