Taking a Giant Leap
Making the move to a retirement community opens up new possibilities for community living, an active lifestyle, and social connections. For many seniors today, retiring no longer means slowing down. Instead, it is viewed as a time to embrace new adventures and passions. Active retirement communities cater to this mindset, offering endless amenities, activities, and opportunities to stay healthy, engaged, and surrounded by vibrant peers.
As you consider senior living options for your next chapter, active adult communities should be high on your radar. These communities differ from traditional retirement homes and focus on promoting wellness, fostering friendship and enabling residents to pursue dynamic lifestyles. At their core, active retirement communities revolve around community, convenience, security and nonstop activities for residents. Whether you enjoy fitness classes, continuing education, sports, cards, live music or any number of programs, an active adult community makes it easy to stay involved. As an added benefit, most also offer different housing options from single-family homes to apartments and cottages.
This guide will explore the many advantages of active senior living and how to choose a community tailored to your lifestyle needs and preferences. You’ll discover how these communities help residents lead healthy, engaged and socially fulfilled lives every single day.
Key Takeaways:
- Active adult communities focus on promoting wellness, fostering friendships and enabling dynamic lifestyles.
- Benefits include fitness, social activities, security, convenience and endless amenities.
- Types include independent living, CCRCs, 55+ and active adult communities.
- Consider proximity, level of care offered, amenities and housing costs when choosing.
- Talk to residents and take tours to get a feel for the community.
- With the right active community, you can maximize joy and adventure in your retirement years!
Benefits of Active Retirement Living
Active adult communities are designed to promote wellness, encourage an active lifestyle, and foster social connections. Here are some of the key benefits the best active retirement communities offer:
- Health and Wellness – On-site fitness centers with senior-friendly equipment and classes catered to different fitness levels. Some communities also have walking trails, swimming pools, and sports courts.
- Social Engagement – Planned social events, clubs, classes, and interest groups that make it easy to meet like-minded neighbors and form new friendships.
- Convenience – Community amenities like restaurants, parks, salons, libraries, and theaters right on campus or nearby. Some senior living communities even offer scheduled transportation to local attractions and group tours to far off destinations.
- Safety and Security – Gated neighborhoods, 24/7 security patrols, emergency call systems, and staff available to respond to incidents and provide safety checks.
- Activities and Amenities – Endless recreational, cultural, educational, and entertainment options to stay active and engaged every day. Think fitness classes, continuing education, crafts, cards, live music, and more.
Living actively ensures you get the most joy and fulfillment out of retirement. At the right community, pursuing new passions and making memories comes easy!
Types of Active Retirement Communities
There are a few main types of active retirement communities to consider:
- Independent Living – For active, healthy adults who want to live independently. On-site amenities and activities but minimal or no medical care.
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) – Offer independent living plus assisted living, nursing care, and memory care on one campus. All-inclusive care for life.
- 55+ Communities – Typically single-family homes. At least one resident must be 55+. Focused on an active lifestyle with amenities like golf, tennis, and pools.
- Active Adult Communities – Cater to adults 55+ or 62+ looking for an energetic lifestyle. Similar to 55+ but usually with more robust amenities and activities.
Comparing Active Retirement Communities
Each offers different benefits, so reflect on your needs, budget, and how active you plan to be.
Type | Description | Sample Activities |
Independent Living | For active, independent seniors looking for community living. Minimal medical care. | Fitness, entertainment, classes, community events |
CCRCs | Offer range of housing plus assisted living, nursing care, and memory care on one campus. | Fitness, entertainment, lifelong learning, community events |
55+ Communities | At least one 55+ resident required. Focus on active living and amenities. | Golf, tennis, swimming, social clubs |
Active Adult | Cater to 55+/62+ looking for an energetic lifestyle. Robust amenities and activities. | Fitness, sports, dancing, live music, water sports, continuing education |
Features to Look For
What are the best 55+ communities? It’s going to be different for everyone. Along with the type of community, consider these factors as you evaluate options:
Location and Proximity
- Close to family and friends – Look for communities located near where loved ones live so you can visit and spend time together regularly.
- Easy access to healthcare providers and hospitals – Prioritize locations near your current doctors or hospitals you trust for convenience in maintaining care.
- Near amenities like shopping, dining, parks, entertainment, places of worship – Choose communities situated close to places you frequent like grocery stores, restaurants, parks, movie theaters, churches or synagogues.
- Appealing climate and geographic setting – Consider your climate preferences for retirement like warm weather year-round or seasonal changes. Also factor in locations near features you enjoy like the beach, lakes or mountains.
Here is an expanded section on the other features to look for:
Level of Care
- Assess current and future medical needs – Consider your health status and any conditions requiring care or assistance now or in coming years.
- Some offer assisted living, memory care, and nursing on campus – Look for communities with a range of on-site care options to meet evolving needs while staying in one place.
- Look for emergency response systems – Seek communities with 24/7 emergency monitoring services that can dispatch help at the push of a button.
Amenities and Activities
- Fitness centers, pools, trails, sports courts – Look for robust recreational amenities to stay active like gyms, walking paths, swimming pools, and tennis courts.
- Clubs, classes, volunteer opportunities – Consider communities with diverse social activities, interest groups, and ways to give back.
- On-site dining, parks, salons, libraries – Seek places with convenient amenities like restaurants, salons, and entertainment on campus.
- Scheduled local transportation – Ask if the community offers scheduled rides to events, appointments, shopping and dining nearby.
Housing Options and Costs
- Single family homes, apartments/condos, mobile homes – Determine if you prefer a house, apartment/condo, or more affordable mobile home option.
- Rentals, owned residences, cooperatives – Decide whether you want to rent, own your home, or buy into a resident-owned cooperative.
- Consider home costs, rent, HOA fees, buy-in fees – Research all costs like mortgage or rent, homeowners fees, and one-time community buy-in fees.
Making the Move
With an abundance of active retirement communities, here are tips for choosing one:
- Make a list – Define your criteria, must-haves, and nice-to-haves. Tour several communities that meet the criteria.
- Do your research – Ask for sales materials, fees lists, policies in writing. Search online for reviews.
- Talk to residents – Get insider perspectives on life in the community.
- Consider costs – Review all fees. Plan for entry fee, rent/mortgage, utilities, HOA fees, care costs.
- Get guidance – Consult a senior housing advisor to find communities matched to your needs and budget.
- Plan ahead – Give yourself time to prepare your home for sale and go through the transition process. Start the downsizing process as soon as you start your research. It’ll take you longer than you realize to declutter your home.
By investing time upfront, you can find a community where you’ll happily embrace retired life for years to come!
Questions You Should Be Asking
As a potential resident, here’s a list of questions you should be asking and getting answers to when doing your research on senior communities:
- What types of amenities are typically offered in active retirement communities?
- What are the differences between independent living, CCRCs, 55+ communities, and active adult communities?
- What types of fitness classes and activities are available in these communities?
- How can you estimate the costs of living in an active retirement community?
- What types of housing options are typically available?
- How do you choose the right active adult community for your needs?
- What questions should you ask when touring potential active retirement communities?
- How do these communities promote resident safety and security?
- What steps should you take when preparing to move into one of these communities?
- What are some tips for transitioning smoothly into an active retirement lifestyle?
Living Your Best Life
At the right active adult community, you’ll have endless ways to embrace this chapter:
- Pursue new passions and hobbies with classes and clubs.
- Stay fit and healthy with activities tailored to your abilities.
- Form meaningful friendships with like-minded neighbors.
- Enjoy community parks, amenities, entertainment and excursions.
- Remain safe, secure and independent in your own home.
- Feel a sense of community spirit, belonging and camaraderie.
- Continue learning, exploring your interests, and trying new things.
When you join a community designed around activity, engagement and vitality, you can maximize joy, purpose and adventure in your retirement years. With so many options to choose from, the possibilities are endless.