If you or some of your older family members are looking for retirement communities but aren’t interested in a full-care facility, you’re in luck. There are plenty of excellent retirement communities pacifically for active adults.
First, let’s dive into the best retirement communities for active adults, then we’ll guide you through what you should look for in an active adult retirement community.
13 Best Retirement Communities
[one_fourth_3_first]Shepherds Cove[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]This quiet retirement community is located near Shepherdstown, West Virginia, placing it within driving distance to Washington DC. It’s got plenty of natural trails and outdoor splendor to enjoy, as well as refined dining experiences and a diverse array of activities and entertainment.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Cresswind at Victoria Gardens[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]This scenic retirement community will give you plenty of sun at DeLand, Florida. It’s centrally located, close to the main metropolitan center of the aforementioned city, yet it’s tucked away behind trees and a few hills to keep things quiet and calm for community residents.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Las Palmas[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]This 55 and older active resort is easily one of the most luxurious retirement communities you can find. They offer year-round activities, tons of amenities and sunny weather year-round thanks to their Arizona location. They also have lots of custom-built homes for those in the mood for a southwestern aesthetic.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Village Green[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]Here’s an affordable active living community, which is only for those 55 and older. It comes with a selection of preowned homes, along with a multimillion-dollar clubhouse. Other amenities include a full-time activities director, plenty of resort luxuries like swimming pools and tracks, and an excellent climate thanks to its coastal Florida location.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Wickenburg Ranch[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]This is a newer active adult retirement community featuring modern homes with single-family designs. The homes usually incorporate open living spaces for entertaining and casual relaxation. Golf courses, dog parks, spas, sports courts and much more are among the attractions you can benefit from if you choose to live in this tight-knit neighborhood. [/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Logan Homes North Carolina[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]This is a broader active retirement community offering over 80 home plans, giving you plenty of choices and even allowing you to emulate your previous home if you don’t want to change things too much. It’s also among the better 55+ affordable retirement communities, and all of the workers and craftsmen are extremely professional. They have locations in both North and South Carolina depending on your preference.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Traditions of America in Chester County[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]This retirement community is located just outside Philadelphia in northern Chester County. Thus, residents get to enjoy an active lifestyle both in the community borders and at the nearby metropolitan center. The community features many amenities like clubhouses, swimming pools, and walking trails.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Balsam Mountain Preserve[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]This conservation-oriented residential community is low-density and located across 4400 acres in North Carolina. It’s right next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, affording residents fantastic views throughout all days of the year. It’s great for those who appreciate the outdoors, especially due to their amenities, which include golf courses, practice parks, heated pools, and much more.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Las Vegas Meadows[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]Las Vegas may not be known for meadows, but this retirement community is still worth your time. It’s 42 acres in total and is a guard-gated resort featuring newly remodeled homes for both sale and rent. It’s pretty affordable like the rest of Vegas and benefits from a year-round warm climate and an active community. Plus, it’s Vegas! What’s not to like?[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]St. James Plantation. NC Gated Community[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]Here’s a great gated retirement community for active adults, located next to the seaside village of Southport. All residents get to benefit from first-class amenities, like an oceanfront beach club and marinara. Fitness clubs, miles of championship golf and plenty of biking and walking trails round out the available experiences.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Pacific Lots and Homes of Costa Rica[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]Head to sunny Costa Rica with this retirement community. Average year-round temperatures are about 82°, so you’ll never feel too cold even during the winter months. Property taxes are pretty low and there’s a real sense of community thanks to the tightly-knit culture and low population.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Schell Brothers Premier Delaware Homes[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]Those with a little extra cash to spend should look at this retirement community, located at Rehoboth Beach in Delaware. The homes are new, the views are fantastic, and you get plenty of floorplan designs to choose from. Personalization is the norm, and all the homes are built with your comfort in mind.[/three_fourth_last]
[one_fourth_3_first]Hot Springs Village[/one_fourth_3_first][three_fourth_last]Nestled in an Arkansas Valley, Hot Springs is an excellent and affordable retirement community featuring 12 lakes, three beaches, and 30 miles of trails. It’s an excellent place if you prefer the outdoors. But it also has a rich cultural heritage and plenty of dining and entertainment options.[/three_fourth_last]
What to Look For in an Active Adult Retirement Community
First and foremost, make sure that the community in question is actually for active adults. Regular retirement communities might not be set up for this particular demographic.
In a nutshell, active adult communities are maintenance-free and independent living residences. They’re for adults that are 55 and older, and they come in two major types: age-restricted and age-targeted. Age-restricted communities include homes where at least 80% of them have at least one person over 55. Age targeted communities are little laxer and aren’t limited to this age range.
Either way, the big thing to keep in mind is that active adult communities help retirees and other older folks keep up active lifestyles through amenities and luxuries, in addition to exercise areas. They aren’t like other retirement communities that have staff on hand to help residents live or perform day-to-day activities.
Be careful not to recommend an assisted living community to your able-bodied mom and dad. They may not be quite as amused as you are!
Amenities
As mentioned, you’ll want to pay attention to what amenities a particular community can provide to your parents (or you, if you’re shopping for yourself). Amenities are things like fitness centers, swimming pools, golf courses and any other places where adults can spend time doing activities or socializing. These also include restaurants; great retirement communities should have a healthy selection in relatively close proximity (i.e. driving or walking distance).
Space Sizes
Many folks looking to join an active adult retirement community are trying to downsize. Their normal homes have too much of the space after their kids move out. Examine the available rooms or homes at an active adult retirement community so you can see what space will be available were you to move in. Some people prefer more rooms than others.
Demographics
It’s also a good idea to think about who lives in the retirement community, and whether that’ll work for whoever you’re looking to recommend these to. For instance, if you are looking for a community for your parents and they prefer people of their own generation, it’ll be a better idea to look for an age-restricted community. The reverse is true if they’re a little more open-minded.
Home Care Providers
As mentioned above, active adult retirement communities don’t have care services included with their costs by default. But as people age, they do require additional care and support in order to maintain a good standard of living.
Some communities have prearranged packages with other care service providers that you can use. Others may require you to set up your own arrangements. See what community offers in this regard before making a final decision.
Maintenance Requirements
Some active adult communities have more maintenance requirements than others, like lawn care or snow shoveling. Others provide these as services that are included in the cost of living in the community in the first place. Carefully consider what maintenance requirements are present and think about the physical well-being of your parents. Maybe your dad likes doing chores and would prefer a community that lets him keep feeling useful.
Transportation Arrangements
What does transportation look like within the community? Some places rely primarily on small golf-cart-like vehicles and walking while others have plenty of space for traditional driving. If your parents or grandparents aren’t able to drive any longer, you might benefit from seeking out a community that doesn’t use normal cars very often.
Location
You’ll also want to think about the location of the in relation to family members. For instance, grandparents probably don’t want to be too far from their kids and grandkids, both for holidays and special occasions and for general visits.
On the other hand… maybe you do want the community to be as far away as possible for less drama! All we’re saying is it’s something to consider.
Costs
Finally, don’t discount the fact that costs can vary dramatically from community to community. Some places are much more portable than others, and you’ll need to consider your budget over the short and long-term when deciding on a community to visit.
Conclusion
All in all, any of the above communities will be a great pick for most people. Consider the ones that are geographically closest to you or what amenities they have before making a final decision. Remember, you can usually visit the communities before signing on the dotted line. Let us know if you or someone else has experienced these places and tell us what it was like!
