All over the region, builders and land developers are creating resort-style communities designed with builders over the age of 55 in mind. Commonly called “active-adult” or “active lifestyle” communities, these neighborhoods are filled with people just like you — active, energetic, young at heart and ready to make the most of a beautiful new home.
As you search for one of these communities yourself, you’ll be presented with a nearly limitless number of options to choose from. But before you ever set foot in one of these sought-after communities for a tour, there are a few things we think you should look for first:
Exceptional Amenities
Without a wide array of amenities, it’s not an active-adult community, so the best ones are filled with everything from swimming pools and walking trails to sports courts and golf courses.
If you can’t live without a fitness center, make sure the communities you’re looking at have the right equipment and space for you. If a lot of golf is in your future, do your due diligence to make sure the community golf course is up to par. Every community will offer something a little bit different, so you just need to decide what’s most important to you.
A Truly Active Community
They’re called “active-adult” communities for a reason, and the amenities available at the community only tell part of the story. The ideal 55+ community is going to have an active social scene of neighbors. It should be thriving with activities, clubs and events.
Although you’ll probably need to take a tour of the community to get a true feel of just how “active” it really is, take a closer look at its Facebook page, Instagram profile, website and online reviews ahead of time. This is the best way to get an early sense of whether or not a community’s energy level matches your own.
Proximity to Everything You Want
Just because you’ll be living in a community gives you access to great amenities, it doesn’t mean that you won’t ever want to leave to visit friends, family members, your favorite shops or venues.
Be cognizant of what’s around the community you’re looking at and think about how living there would affect your lifestyle. If you’re still commuting to work, this is an obvious one, but if you’re interested in going to the beach or being close to shopping or entertainment centers, take a closer look at how far away everything is from what might be your new home.
High-Quality Home Designs
You shouldn’t have to sacrifice a long-lasting, high-quality home in favor of the active-adult lifestyle. Your home should come with all the promises and benefits of a new home, plus the perks of living in a resort-style community.
When searching for an active-adult community, be sure to do some research about the builders actually building homes there. You’ll want to get a sense of what their building practices are in regard to energy efficiency, home warranties, innovative features and high-quality materials.
Flexible Living Options
In addition to a high-quality home, be sure to look for builders who offer a breadth of flexible living options such as single-level living, optional guest suites, open floorplans and more. As you look, think about convenience in everyday living and what features would appeal to visiting friends and family. The top builders and communities will offer a vast array of options and features to pick from.
With all these tips in mind, you’re ready to get your new home search started. Visit our website and start exploring all of the top active-adult communities in Maryland, Virginia and Delaware.
