Retirement shouldn't be boring. Choosing where to retire is an important decision. The right retirement community can lead to years of contentment, whereas the wrong choice can cause you to miss out on pursuing your passion and truly enjoying your retirement.
It's important when researching retirement communities to ask yourself what features and facilities are important to your lifestyle. Key criteria may include location, year-round climate, size of the facility, number of residents, types of homes, recreational facilities like swimming pools and tennis courts, organized social activities such as games, dancing, short tours, plus educational programs and entertainment.
Keep in mind that there's more to retirement than golf, swimming and playing cards - there's entertainment. You know it's just as important to stay physically active as it is to stay mentally sharp, but don't forget the fun. Look around, search the web, and ask your friends - not all communities offer top-flight shows and entertainment, so do your research thoroughly. Communities that don't offer them may not be worth the money.
Great entertainment can be the difference between just being retired and really getting a kick out of it. Active adult retirement communities that present you with new experiences, new scenery, new activities, and high class entertainment are preferred for a good reason. They help you stay active, alert, mentally and physically fit, and if you choose the right one, they can bring you joy!
As you begin your search, you will find that communities that match your requirements are most probably master-planned communities with a large clubhouse. The clubhouse is the center of organized social and individual activities. Most have swimming pools, tennis courts, exercise facilities, craft rooms, Internet rooms, plus billiards and card rooms.
Great clubhouses have a social hall, a theater, and a social/lifestyle director who plans trips, forms hobby clubs, and organizes dances and group activities. Outdoor activities at these communities may also include basketball and volleyball courts, golf courses, bocce courts, plus soccer and ball fields.
Really great retirement communities, the ones that belong at the top of your list, offer professional entertainment, such as Broadway shows, famous singers and comedians, and noted entertainers. These communities are on the same level as country clubs. Even though there is usually a ticket fee for these special shows, they are quite reasonable for retirees. You may see such stars as Tony Orlando, Susan Anton, and shows like Great American Musicals on Parade. And there are plenty to enjoy.
Communities at this level are in a league of their own and usually also offer a large variety of hobby clubs, health and wellness programs, lectures, and educational classes. When searching for a retirement community to suit your anticipated lifestyle, look for one that offers a resort-like atmosphere. A round of golf in the morning, shopping or hanging out at the community pool in the afternoon, and a great show at the clubhouse at night can make you feel like you're on vacation every day. Now, that's a lifestyle worth looking into!
If you're interested in that kind of lifestyle, I recommend that you check out these Florida Retirement Communities. These retirement communities have full time lifestyle directors, and 100s of clubs so you can keep active while living there.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What Every Great Retirement Community Should Have
Active adult communities, also known as retirement communities, offer homes and community amenities that are attractive to adults 55 years and older.
Florida Retirement Communities
10 Things To Consider When Looking For A Retirement Community
1. Location
When you have decided where you want to move: mountains – desert – seashore, you need to find out if those locations are truly suitable for you. Today, many people have decided that they have had enough of winter weather and choose a state where the weather is more favorable to their anticipated new lifestyle.
2. What Is A Master Planned Community?
Most master planned communities have a clubhouse/lifestyle center with many activities; most have swimming pools, exercise facilities, craft rooms, Internet rooms, and billiards and card rooms. Great ones have a social hall, a theater, and a social director who plans trips, forms hobby clubs, and organizes dances and group activities. You might want to choose one that offers a resort-like atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re on vacation all year long.
3. Do You Want An Exciting Lifestyle?
You don’t have to join in, but active adult communities allow you new experiences, new scenery and new activities and they are called "Active" Adult Communities for a reason. The clubhouse is the center of organized social and individual activities. If you enjoy tennis, basketball, golf, swimming, dancing, walking trails and other suitable ways to stay fit, look for a clubhouse with exercise programs and equipment, health and wellness programs. Also, ask about lectures, classes, musical programs, and professional entertainment groups that regularly visit the communities.
4. Consider Your Free Time
If you have hobbies or favorite pastime activities, such as golf, bird watching, etc., select a retirement community that will make it easier for you to pursue those interests.
5. Enjoy The Benefits Of A Well Designed Home
Look for well-built, weather resistant structures that offer a comfortable layout. A two-story home may seem desirable initially but will it be so as you get older? Consider a home with the master on the main level, few or no steps, and open floorplans that flow smoothly into one another.
6. Maintenance-Free Living Is Ideal
An HOA can make your life a lot easier when lawn mowing and landscape maintenance, plus clubhouse, pool and community maintenance is included. Then you can spend your free time enjoying your new lifestyle.
7. Will Neighbors Have Similar Social Interests?
A great active adult community will have an immediate sense of community when your neighbors are close to your age and have similar backgrounds and share the same interests as you.
8. Surround Yourself With Friendly People
Visit the community. Talk to the staff and community residents to get an idea of how welcome you feel. If the residents are friendly and appear to be happy, it’s probably a good place to live. Ask residents if they like living there and what they consider to be the pros and cons of the community.
9. Live Where Grandkids Will Love to Visit
If you don’t want to travel to see them, choose a community located in an area where they will be excited about visiting you.
10. Think About Safety
Safety is important when searching for a place to retire. You might want to live in a gated community with 24-hour security at the entrance.
I hope that this post has helped you. I recommend that you check out these Florida Retirement Communities by GLHomes because they overly exceed all the items listed above. I also suggest that you read this great article: Why Florida is the Best Place to Retire
You should also read the following article: Why All Retirement Communities Should Offer Educational Program
10 Things To Consider When Looking For A Retirement Community
1. Location
When you have decided where you want to move: mountains – desert – seashore, you need to find out if those locations are truly suitable for you. Today, many people have decided that they have had enough of winter weather and choose a state where the weather is more favorable to their anticipated new lifestyle.
2. What Is A Master Planned Community?
Most master planned communities have a clubhouse/lifestyle center with many activities; most have swimming pools, exercise facilities, craft rooms, Internet rooms, and billiards and card rooms. Great ones have a social hall, a theater, and a social director who plans trips, forms hobby clubs, and organizes dances and group activities. You might want to choose one that offers a resort-like atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re on vacation all year long.
3. Do You Want An Exciting Lifestyle?
You don’t have to join in, but active adult communities allow you new experiences, new scenery and new activities and they are called "Active" Adult Communities for a reason. The clubhouse is the center of organized social and individual activities. If you enjoy tennis, basketball, golf, swimming, dancing, walking trails and other suitable ways to stay fit, look for a clubhouse with exercise programs and equipment, health and wellness programs. Also, ask about lectures, classes, musical programs, and professional entertainment groups that regularly visit the communities.
4. Consider Your Free Time
If you have hobbies or favorite pastime activities, such as golf, bird watching, etc., select a retirement community that will make it easier for you to pursue those interests.
5. Enjoy The Benefits Of A Well Designed Home
Look for well-built, weather resistant structures that offer a comfortable layout. A two-story home may seem desirable initially but will it be so as you get older? Consider a home with the master on the main level, few or no steps, and open floorplans that flow smoothly into one another.
6. Maintenance-Free Living Is Ideal
An HOA can make your life a lot easier when lawn mowing and landscape maintenance, plus clubhouse, pool and community maintenance is included. Then you can spend your free time enjoying your new lifestyle.
7. Will Neighbors Have Similar Social Interests?
A great active adult community will have an immediate sense of community when your neighbors are close to your age and have similar backgrounds and share the same interests as you.
8. Surround Yourself With Friendly People
Visit the community. Talk to the staff and community residents to get an idea of how welcome you feel. If the residents are friendly and appear to be happy, it’s probably a good place to live. Ask residents if they like living there and what they consider to be the pros and cons of the community.
9. Live Where Grandkids Will Love to Visit
If you don’t want to travel to see them, choose a community located in an area where they will be excited about visiting you.
10. Think About Safety
Safety is important when searching for a place to retire. You might want to live in a gated community with 24-hour security at the entrance.
I hope that this post has helped you. I recommend that you check out these Florida Retirement Communities by GLHomes because they overly exceed all the items listed above. I also suggest that you read this great article: Why Florida is the Best Place to Retire
You should also read the following article: Why All Retirement Communities Should Offer Educational Program
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