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"It will be our faces you see, not our backs." ~Volodymyr Zelensky
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Today's Community Review
Lake Griffin Harbor, Leesburg, Florida
In Florida's Lake Country, Leesburg is the site of Lake Griffin Harbor, a lakeside 55+ manufactured community with a marina, a swimming pool, a conservation area, planned events and more. Pets are welcome.
Previous Community Reviews
Selbyville is in southeastern Delaware and is the setting for Bayside, a lovely resort community overlooking a bay. Homes feature coastal architecture, and amenities include a golf course, swimming pools, a waterfront area and much more. Oceanfront beaches are four miles away.
Four Seasons at Gold Hill, Fort Mill, South Carolina
Outside of 13,000-acre Lake Wylie in northern South Carolina, Fort Mill is the site of Four Seasons at Gold Hill, an inviting 55+ community with single family homes, town homes, a nice clubhouse, a swimming pool, a garden, tennis courts, a putting green, a bounty of activities and more.
Century Village, Deerfield Beach, Florida
Deerfield Beach is on the southeastern Florida coast and is the setting for Century Village, a large, established 55+ condominium community with two clubhouses, 16 swimming pools, a golf course and more.
Sea Trail Plantation, Sunset Beach, North Carolina
On the North Carolina coast, Sunset Beach is the site of Sea Trail Plantation, a large, gated community with condos, town homes, single family homes, three championship golf courses, an activity center and a beautiful beach about a mile away.
Friendly Valley, Santa Clarita, California
Outside of Los Angeles in Southern California, Friendly Valley is a settled, gated 55+ community with condos, town homes, single family homes, two golf courses, RV parking, nicely manicured grounds, a plethora of activities and more.
Greenbriar, Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is on the central Gulf Coast and is the site of Greenbriar, an established, modest 55+ condominium community with a clubhouse, a heated swimming pool, planned activities and tidy, tropical landscaping.
In southern Arizona, Tucson is the site of Copper Crest, a casual, attractive 55+ manufactured home community with a clubhouse, activities and a mountain backdrop.
Bent Tree Plantation, Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina
The cute little oceanfront town of Ocean Isle Beach is on the southern North Carolina coast and is the setting for Bent Tree Plantation, a peaceful, leafy community with single family homes and condominiums, boat docks, a clubhouse, a swimming pool, tennis courts, RV storage and a beach three minutes away.
Vista del Mar, Vero Beach, Florida
On Florida's Atlantic coast, Vero Beach is the setting for Vista del Mar, an established, oceanfront 55+ condominium community with a clubhouse, a swimming pool, private beach access and sweeping water views.
Jubilee at Hawks Prairie, Lacey, Washington
An hour outside of Seattle in northwestern Washington, Lacey is the site of Jubilee at Hawks Prairie, a beautiful 55+ community with single family homes, an elegant lodge, a golf course, views of Mt. Ranier and more.
Communities by State
Alabama Arizona California Colorado Delaware Florida Georgia Nevada North Carolina Oregon South Carolina Tennessee Texas Virginia Washington
Age Restricted Communities 101
The kids have moved out. They have launched themselves into a career, parenthood, home ownership. You decide it's time to downsize. But how? Into where? You're still healthy, active. You're not ready for a continuing care community. The decision can be daunting.
A 55-plus or active-adult community is one option. The only legal exception to non-discriminatory fair housing laws, an age restricted community is run by a homeowners association that offers some exterior maintenance and amenities to its members. Amenities could include a private golf course, sizable clubhouse, 24/7 security, or transportation to and from local hospitals or shopping malls. Housing in such a community can range from modest condominiums to attached homes to luxury estates.
How will you decide? Are you ready for the time it might take? Demand for homes in active-adult communities is on the rise. You'll be competing against other baby boomers, maybe even some Gen-Xers. Start your research a few years before your retirement date. Find a real estate agent that specializes in master-planned communities or senior home purchases. The National Association of Realtors does offer training and certification for senior specialists.
Look at the location. Does it have the right weather? Is it close enough to family? Is downtown too far away or not far away enough? Will you have acclimate? What are local taxes like? Check out the neighbors. Are these the people you want to age with? Make sure you know what services might be available for you as you age. Is your 55-plus community near a hospital, a grocery store, a bank, a pharmacy? Can they get you to the hospital and grocery store once you decide you no longer want to drive? Maybe the community offers grocery delivery? Are there senior fitness classes, personal trainers?
Be sure you understand what amenities you are paying for. Some communities require that you buy an equity membership or hide the cost of that lap pool and golf course in high HOA fees. Inspect your prospective community's activity calendar. Does it have the right mix of leisure and lecture? Are there too many card tournaments and not enough day trips? Do you hate golf, need 39 shuffleboard courts? Is there an activities director?
Understand your prospective HOA. How long is the list of restrictions? Do the board politics give you pause? Will they force you through a long approval process? Will they ask you for bank records and references?
Investigate the community's financials. Are they solvent? How well did they weather the crisis when the housing bubble burst in 2008? And what about the builder? How long have they worked for seniors? Do they understand aging in place? Do they understand the need for zero step entries, wider hallways? Or have they just gotten into the game? Del Webb is credited with inventing the age-restricted community. Keep your eye on what they're building. Other companies to watch are Lennar, Shea, and Taylor Morrison.
Remember, you're not just buying a new house. You're buying a new way of life.
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