The most important thing you get in buying into an Active Adult Community, is a ready built framework for an “active lifestyle”.
Del Webb is a “culture industry”. They don’t do the heavy lifting, they just provide the framework. They sell the dream, but the dream can come true.
Real estate agents say “We try to tell people to focus more on their lifestyle and less on the house”. That’s because that’s what they are buying, a lifestyle.
Some buyers don’t get that. They say the homes are too expensive. They are not considering the lifestyle. If a buyer doesn’t want the lifestyle, but just wants the home, then they should look elsewhere, as plenty of subdivisions offer ranch style homes. But that’s not an apples to apples comparison to a home in an Active Adult Community.
An active lifestyle in theory could be accomplished anywhere, but with the framework that comes with living in an Active Adult Community, it can be accomplished much easier and faster.
So, What Is This Active Lifestyle?
An Active Lifestyle include many areas, including these:
Social Lifestyle – always available. You pick and choose based on your likes and interests. Social support and friends. Connecting with people is one of the most important features of the Active Adult Lifestyle. The framework provided includes clubs and groups, activities, clubhouse, events, neighbors, etc.
This is why the Del Webb marketing posters show the couples sitting around the fire pit or pool with their glasses of wine.
I have written about how when looking to make friends, activities is the answer.
Social Support – related to friends, there is an “we are in this together” spirit. Neighbors are helping neighbors. The framework provided is neighbors you can relate to.
Healthy Lifestyle – Getting out of the house is healthy and there are plenty of things going on in the community to draw you out of your house. Health is on our minds and having planned activities, especially sports, makes it easier for you. Thus you are more likely to do things to promote your health. The framework is the amenities, ball fields, teams with your neighbors sharing these activities.
Home lifestyle – one level, efficient, neighbors, security, low maintenance living, entertaining. The framework also includes your home.
Positive Lifestyle – When people are doing things to improve their lives, they are happy. Being happy means you will be more positive. A lot of the people living in Active Adult Communities are happy and positive.
Location lifestyle – small town, urban, resort, coastal, neighboring communities, local area, exploring outside the community.
The location of your Active Adult Community can give you a taste of lifestyle different than what you had during your working years.
In our community, I like seeing the stars at night, the rolling hills, farms, community theaters, town squares and the sense of a small town community. If your new community was at the beach or even in a city, then those different lifestyles have things to offer was well.
Conclusion About Active Adult Lifestyle
An Active Adult Community is a great way to make your life more active, healthy and to make new friends. It’s all there waiting for you. In the two years I have lived here, I have become more active and healthy and made many new friends, so I know it works. Also see Will I Fit In?
It’s just a framework that works well, but you have to make it work for yourself.
14 replies on “It’s The Lifestyle”
Hey Robert, I found your blog while searching for “senior advice” and general ideas for seniors to improve their life.
I am a Medicare insurance agent and I try to offer free seminars to help teach seniors about their options. Problem is, I sometimes struggle to connect with them or find a marketing message to get them to come out. It’s hard to use internet advertising, so I am wondering if you have any ideas on a good “message” to encourage seniors to come out and discuss Medicare and/or retirement with me.
I try to go with the “free help” or “do it for your family” route but it doesn’t seem to effective so far :).
Thanks for any thoughts.
Dear John, I tried to study everything about Medicare on my own. But it’s just too much to take in, so complicated. I met with an agent who found the best Medicare policy for me, in my case a Medicare Advantage policy, and explained everything so I understood. My wife met with the agent also and they came up with a great supplemental policy that better suited her needs. Everyone has different needs and I agree an agent can help you to understand and choose the type of Medicare policy best for you.
You explained right that buyers say the homes are too expensive. They are not considering the lifestyle. If a buyer doesn’t want the lifestyle, but just wants the home. Really appreciate this article.
If a buyer wants to buy a house with the lower price with no good lifestyle, it won’t be a good decision. They have to think about Social Lifestyle, Healthy Lifestyle, Home lifestyle, Positive Lifestyle along with Location lifestyle which is mentioned above. I am in the same opinion.
Very well said, Lifestyle is one thing people are focusing these days.
From past times, lifestyle is one thing which is gaining importance. And as you mentioned all the lifestyles like social, healthy, location lifestyle all are an integral part of living.
Worth sharing article!
A worth read article.We should always take care of ourselves especially when we are getting older. Engaging in outdoor sports must still be part of our lifestyle to keep our mind and body active. There are numbers of activities that we still can do, such as jogging, badminton, and game shooting.
You are right, good lifestyle is a part of a good home and when someone buy a house he should consider good lifestyle then the price.
Very empowering indeed. Aging should be taken as an opportunity to grow not just mentally but also physically for better health. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
My wife and I are planning to have an adventurous lifestyle for at least our first decade of retirement. We feel it is what will keep us young after retirement. Good Read,
My parents are now at a stage in their life where they are also looking into this. Thanks for all the advice I will be passing this to them to have a good read.
Just one question, Do you know where I can find some more information for 55+ communities in the UK?
Thanks Robert!
I think in the UK they call them either Retirement Communities or Retirement Villages. 55+ Community is a legal designation in the US only, I believe.
The first few months after retirement can lead to a stress free life. However as time goes by an idle mind tends to become the worst reason for stress. As per data, old age loneliness increases the risk of heart ailments. It becomes necessary to keep the mind and body simultaneously active.
My wife and I are planning to have an adventurous lifestyle ..
Wow great post…I love the positive lifestyle.