Are you ready to do something for yourself?
The
kids have moved out. The nest is empty. Your retirement is impending.
What’s
next?
As
an active adult who has plenty of free time and living the best time
of your life, what’s your plan? Are you ready to move on to the
next phase of your life?
Will
you be staying in your house, downsizing to a smaller home in the
same neighborhood, or moving to a retirement community?
If
you choose to move to a retirement community, you have plenty of
options. There’s the active adult communities, leisure communities,
independent living communities, and continuous care communities.
Why move to an active adult community?
Among
the different kinds of retirement communities, the community that
caters to active adults is popular among empty nesters, baby boomers,
and retirees.
Here’s
why:
-
Low maintenance lifestyle. The prospect of a lifestyle where you don’t have to worry about property management is highly appealing.
After
years of tending the garden, mowing the lawn, shoveling the snow, and
maintaining a 5 bedroom home, you don’t have to worry about it
anymore! What a relief that is. Imagine being able to leave and
travel without worrying about mowing your front lawn.
This
leaves you with more leisure time to enjoy yourself, maybe learn
something new, or spend as much time as you want with your friends.
These are things that you truly deserve to enjoy.
And
that’s just a couple of examples of what it’s like to live the
low maintenance lifestyle.
-
Communities and homes are created with your need in mind. Age-restricted communities are becoming a mecca for many of our adults.
These
communities and homes are customized to cater to your present and
future needs.
Lifestyle
communities are planned and built to offer communities and homes that
are appealing to you. All the amenities you’d want to have are
found here.
Homes
are designed to provide ultimate comfort and convenience. For
example, most homes have the master bedroom on the main floor so that
you don’t have to go up and down the stairs.
The
homes also have wide hallways, large gathering places, and private
patios where you can relax and enjoy the serene environment.
-
An active and healthy lifestyle. No matter what stage you are in life, there is a need to maintain an active lifestyle. Staying active and socializing with friends are essential components of healthy aging.
Age
qualified communities offer plenty of activities to keep the body and
mind involved. Residents in these communities enjoy yoga, swimming,
aerobics, biking, running and so much more without leaving the
community.
-
Resort-like feel. When you’re in the prime of your life, you want to enjoy it, experience something different, and learn new things you didn’t have time to learn before. Active adult communities allow that.
Different
communities offer various amenities and facilities. Residents enjoy
the clubhouse, swimming pools, tennis courts, private beaches,
full-service spas, and many more.
Are
you liking what you are learning so far?
If
you are leaning towards the same kind of lifestyle, the over 55 plus
adult living just might be perfect for you.
Now
all you need is to choose - which community location is right for
you?
To
help you make an excellent choice, I have put together this
step-by-step guide in choosing the active adult community that will
suit your needs and lifestyle.
What to look for in an over 55+ community?
When
you are just beginning your search, the communities may seem all the
same.
Though
it may all initially appear to offer the same home styles and
amenities, each development provides various services and programs,
giving a different feel to each community.
You
have to know the features and services you want so you can find the
best fit for you.
Here’s
your guide to choosing an active adult community.
1.
Location
When
looking for a community, your foremost consideration should be the
location.
Consider
the lifestyle you envision to have. Does it include warm and sunny
days, long walks on the beach, swimming, fishing, or golfing? If you
prefer any of these activities, consider choosing a community in one
of the sunny states, like Florida.
Florida
is the ideal haven for retirees for its climate and amenities. It is
also home to the best active adult communities in the US. Who doesn’t
love its gorgeous beaches and incredible weather?
It’s
no wonder many of our older Americans retire to Florida. In the
Sunshine State, you say “Adios!” to being bundled in five layers
of clothing during the winter months, and “Hola!” to non-achy
joints when the weather turns colder.
Here’s
a top tip: Once you’ve decided on a particular community, visit it
at different times of the year. Renting a place and staying there for
some time can help you test the waters and see what the area is like,
both in-season and off-season.
2.
Price and cost of living
Over
55+ communities are available at every price point, from affordable
communities which allow you comfort and convenience, to luxury
communities which are master planned and designed to cater to your
every whim and want. All these come with a cost.
When
you choose an over 55+community, it is because you know you can
afford it.
As
you are preparing your list, don’t just include the home price.
Taxes, homeowners association fees, and a few other costs should also
be factored. You want to make sure you are living practically and
within your means, while still achieving the level of comfort you
desire.
3.
A sense of community.
One
of the benefits of living in an age-restricted community is the
opportunity to interact and form friendships with others of your age,
interests, and hobbies.
Feeling
a sense of belonging and community happens when you find friends who
share the same hobbies and passion with you.
4.
Amenities
Another
important consideration in choosing a 55+ community is the amenities
offered by the community. You’ll commonly find pools, fitness
centers, clubhouses, tennis courts, and golf courses in all
communities.
Aside
from checking the amenities available, you should also look into the
features and amenities of the homes. Again, your preference will play
an active role.
Do
you prefer a single-family house? How about a condo or townhouse?
Maybe you want a home with the master’s bedroom on the lower level
so, you don’t have to deal with the stairs so often.
Consider
your health, your preferences, and what you are looking for when you
check the community amenities.
5.
Convenience
In
looking for a 55 plus community, you should also check the crime rate
of the area and its accessibility to major roads, hospitals, shopping
destinations, restaurants, theater, and parks.
6.
Safety
You’ve
found the most suitable active adult community for you, but is it
safe? In our eagerness to look for the best features of the
retirement community, we sometimes overlook its surroundings.
Your
safety and security are paramount compared to the activities,
services, and programs of your chosen community.
Top 5 Tips for choosing the best over 55+ community
Selecting
the community to settle in takes a little bit of time and research,
but when you do it, you’ll find the best location where you can
live happily and contentedly for the rest of your life. There are
many variables to consider when it comes to choosing the right
community. Picking one is difficult, so choose at least three to four
communities which impress you.
-
Cost.Your financial ability should be your first consideration in selecting a retirement community. There will be costs for housing, property upkeep, community management, etc. Know all the costs before making a final decision. Base your decision on what’s going to fit your budget.
-
Proximity to loved ones. Would you like a development close to your family so you can visit them on the weekend? Or do you prefer a community somewhere a little farther away so you have more time to yourself? If proximity to your family and friends are important to you, choose a location that’s within driving distance so you can easily visit them or vice versa.
-
Climate and location. Consider your health and your preferences. Would you like to live in a beachfront development or a lakefront community? Perhaps you prefer a community closer to the city, where you have easy access to healthcare facilities and cultural experiences?
-
Lifestyle and amenities. In considering which among the three or four communities to choose, make a list of things you enjoy doing, as well as those you’d like to do but can’t because of your present location, lifestyle, or work. Then see which community will help you live and enjoy your hobbies. Each community offers different programs and amenities, so choose wisely.
-
Real Estate Value. Though the home you’ll be choosing will be likely your last home and you won’t be selling anytime soon, it is always good to know the resale value of the home and have a backup plan. Talk to your Realtor®, or to me Karen Mathers, about the projected resale value.
Have
you chosen your top 4 picks?
I
hope you include Vero Beach FL active adult communities among your
choices. They offer more than just the best retirement locations,
these neighborhoods merge the lifestyle you want with the comfort and
convenience of being near shopping and dining amenities.
Benefits of living in active communities in Vero Beach FL
If
you are looking for a place where you can relax and live comfortably
in the next 20-30 years, the over 55+communities of Vero Beach FL is
what you are looking for.
Vero
Beach is part of “Treasure Coast”, located between Jacksonville
and Miami. This beach community is the county seat of Indian River
County, and offers a truly exceptional way of life.
Coastalliving.com
included it in its list of theTop 10 Florida little beach towns.
https://www.coastalliving.com/travel/top-10/best-small-florida-beach-towns#vero-beach
Take
a look at this long list of benefits in living in this amazing
location.
This
beautiful location has many retirement communities with a host of
amenities to choose from. It checks off all the boxes of your
must-haves for active adult living.
How to choose the best 55+ community in Vero Beach
There
are many adult developments and planned communities in Vero Beach.
The best community for you is the one that caters to most of your
financial and social needs, and your preferred lifestyle.
If
your priorities are peace and security, you may want to look at the
adult gated developments in Vero Beach. These communities offer
exceptional amenities, stunning spacious homes, and a high-end
lifestyle!
Check
out this list of age-restricted gated neighborhoods.
Woodfield
is
a highly sought-after community with its numerous amenities, active
lifestyle, great programs and proximity to shopping and dining
options. Homes in this community offer the ultimate comforts and
convenience, a reward for all those years of hard work.
Harmony
Reserve is
a new over 55 community that offers everything you would want for an
active and social lifestyle. You get the best of beaches and
convenient shopping in this neighborhood.
Seasons
at Orchid
is
well-known for its resort-style amenities and low maintenance homes
set in a tropical and quiet environment. This community is proud of
its amenities, along with its West-Indies inspired home designs.
Old
Orchid community
offers luxurious, one story, single family homes with Mediterranean
style exteriors. Homes in this neighborhood have security systems,
ensuring their privacy and safety.
Gated
communities offer the ultimate privacy, luxury and resort-style
living.
If
your priorities are to enjoy an active lifestyle, meet new friends
and develop new skills, here are the adult developments you can
choose from:
Isles
at Waterway Village is
a 696-acre community with various amenities and activities designed
to appeal to any adult who would like to live a healthy lifestyle.
Cove
at Waterway Village is
a community of 80 single-family low maintenance homes with large
gathering areas and functional living spaces.
Vista
del Mar is
a condo community located right on the beachfront where residents
enjoy private access to the Atlantic Coast.
The
Willows
feature
92 single-family homes located only seven miles from the Atlantic
Ocean, so you have plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.
Lakes
at Waterway Village offers
320 single-family homes with various floor plans and options. It is
located close to the Indian River Lagoon where you can enjoy plenty
of watersports.
Retirement home buying mistakes to avoid
Now
that you’ve found an adult development you like, you are probably
already planning how to secure a property in it.
Before
you sign anything, here are a few mistakes other buyers have made.
I’m sharing them in the hopes that you’ll learn from them and do
things right.
-
Insufficient research. Like with all your real estate transactions before, you need to invest time in learning and researching about the community you’ll be joining. You’re likely going to spend a lot of time there, so make sure you do your research, ask the right questions and clarify any concerns you may have.
-
Overestimating home expenses. Looking for a new home is exciting, and it can be tempting to choose a community and home with a higher price point than what you originally intended just because you are captivated by the home’s amenities and features. In the end, it may be too much for you because, because it will affect your monthly payments.
-
Buying too far from loved ones and friends. You will most likely want to be with family during the holidays and for special occasions. This would be a lot easier if you lived within driving distance of them. If you choose a location that is too far, travel and frequency of visits may become more challenging.
This
is going to be your last home purchase, so you’ll want to make sure
you are making the right investment.
Finding
the best over 55+ development in Vero Beach FL takes legwork, time
and patience, but it’s all worth it when you find the community
where you can enjoy that active, healthy and resort-like lifestyle
you want in your mature years.
Call me, Karen Mathers at 772-532-3221. Let my expertise and skill work for you in finding the best active adult community in Vero Beach to suit your needs and lifestyle.
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