Retirement today no longer means that you don't go to work anymore. It means after many years of the same routine, it's time to make a change. And with that change comes a whole host of new priorities, interests and decisions to make. After all, this isn't just the end of one phase of life - it's the beginning of a whole new lifestyle.
Some of the most important concerns for those ready to retire are financial, family, health, accessibility and social life – and not necessarily in that order. Thankfully there are a variety of active adult communities, both age-restricted and open to all families, which are being developed around the country that offer enough options to fit almost every need and desire. With senior priorities much different than they were 20 years ago, builders have had to adjust to meet a variety of evolving demands. Pulte Homes and Shea Homes both have years of experience building active adult communities.
Cost
Perhaps the biggest concern for those leaving the security of a steady job is money. Many decisions are based on the cost of living, especially when it comes to housing. Most retirees don't want to take on another huge mortgage or pay high property taxes, and many are looking to downscale from a multi-bedroom family place to more cozy and manageable confines (albeit with a guest room or two for holidays and other family gatherings). Builders are well aware of economic concerns, which is why it's not hard to find active adult developments with new homes or condominiums in every price range and in many states where taxes are low.
Family
Another growing desire for active adults is the ability to stay close to their children and grandchildren or to keep working. Instead of moving to the far outskirts of cities or even to other states, they want to find communities closer to city centers. Some even want to have the option of living in an active adult community where their grown children can live too. For that reason, companies like Shea Homes have started investing in multi-generational communities that accept all age ranges. These communities are small scale and geared towards active adults that feel the need to stay involved and not seclude themselves.
Location
Staying close to metropolitan areas brings convenience as well as a greater sense of community. Many active adults want to be close to shopping and nightlife. Plus, having a choice of pharmacies and doctor offices nearby is a big concern for many seniors who don't want to have to travel far for their health needs. If this fits your priority list, check to see if the community you're interested in offers easy access to such facilities. Those developments that are farther away from big cities may have created self-contained communities so that these basic conveniences can be met right on site. For example, Pulte Homes, whose Del Webb active adult communities can currently be found in thirteen states, sometimes partners with a medical center or local hospital to staff a room at the community recreation center so that residents can touch base with a doctor periodically. They've also found that between 60 and 70% of people looking for an active adult community don't want to be more than an hour or two away from where they currently live.
"It's not like it was back in the 60’s when the majority of active adult communities were built down in the sun belt and people waved goodbye to their friends and family and moved away to start new friendships, find new churches and all that," says Mark Merymee, of Pulte Homes. "The majority of our Del Webb communities are very close to major metropolitan centers and we're building a lot more of them in cold weather areas."
Social Life
The "active" part of active adult communities comes in many more forms than it did 30 years ago when a golf course was the main calling card for a retirement development. Today builders try to meet a wide range of interests including hike and bike trails, canoeing, indoor and outdoor pools and tennis. These meeting places - some of which can be as big as 80,000 square feet - often have fitness centers in them that offer classes in yoga, pilates, dance and much more.
Recreation centers also double as social meeting places. Community and activity directors will organize continuing education classes, nutrition guidance, libraries and a wide range of social events. Some directors will set residents up with events outside the community, whether it's a bus trip to a local art center or an outing to a professional baseball game. "We feel that we're offering a combination of recreation and social amenities through our communities," says Merymee. "That's because these people like to stay active but they also like to socialize and be around likeminded people in this stage of life."
For many people about to start a new chapter in life after work, finding a place to live that will cater to their specific needs can generate an enormous sense of fulfillment. As Merymee points out, most people over 55 have spent a good portion of their lives raising families and working hard to get to this point so they can start relaxing and having fun. "After raising kids for the past 30 years, mom and dad are now saying 'wow, we can start making choices for ourselves again,'" he says. "At an active adult community, they can immediately get involved in a very active lifestyle." Luckily, there are plenty of options and a long list of communities to choose from to fit every need.