麻豆影院

Whether or not you鈥檙e close to considering retirement, you may be one of the many empty nesters who are choosing to purchase homes in active adult communities today. These specialized neighborhoods are designed for the aging in place population鈥攁dults who intend to remain as active as ever but want to downsize and join a community of compatible neighbors. In fact, According to Kiplinger Magazine, 鈥淲hile most pre-retirees expect to stay in the same state or region once they retire, 40 percent want to take the opportunity to try someplace completely different.鈥� If that describes you, the following factors might lure you to one of the many active adult communities right here in metro Atlanta.

#1: A Sense of Belonging

The rise in popularity of active adult communities comes as no surprise to Michael Rosenberg, president and COO of , who is also chair of the 55+ Council. He notes, 鈥淭he aging population is more active now, and the idea of just retiring and going off into the sunset has gone by the wayside. People want to be with like-minded folks of a similar age, and they want to engage in lots of activities.鈥�

Rosenberg recently assembled a panel of real estate experts to explore and identify the most important amenity an active adult property can offer. 鈥淭hey said it鈥檚 the clubhouse because people want a place to get together, to be social. Homebuyers are often moving into smaller homes in these communities, so they want a place to have a big party; clubhouse features, like a warming kitchen and cozy fireplace, are really appealing to them.鈥�

Kris Johnson, sales and marketing director for , also recognizes the trend and says, 鈥淭hese communities are just the right size to get to know neighbors who are in the same life stage. The clubhouse is designed so homeowners can enjoy regular social activities, holiday events, exercise clubs and classes, all designed by homeowners so they鈥檙e specific to the interests of the whole neighborhood.鈥�

Lake Arrowhead

#2: Mother Nature鈥檚 Open Arms

As many active adults endure social isolation due to COVID-19, they seek natural beauty in their surroundings. Judie Woodall, a managing member of Strategic Real Estate Advisors, describes home buyers at 鈥檚 master-planned community, stating 鈥淭he pandemic has caused people to do more 鈥榗ocooning,鈥� so outdoor living areas with a tranquil, peaceful environment is what everyone is so desperate for this year. Outdoor fireplaces, big windows and expanded porches offering long-range views of the golf course, mountains or lake are what they want after being quarantined on a Zoom call. They just want to get back to nature. Lake Arrowhead is just six miles from a grocery store, but once you arrive home, you never want to leave.鈥�

Kimberly Garwood, director of marketing for , says that the company鈥檚 active adult home designs highlight Atlanta鈥檚 climate, which boasts on average 217 sunny days per year. Today鈥檚 active adults want to take advantage of that, especially if they have turned in their snow shovels for bottles of sunscreen thanks to a relocation. She says, 鈥淎 private courtyard forms the centerpiece of our living spaces, allowing you access to a quiet, peaceful, private oasis just steps from anywhere in your home.鈥�

#3: Accessible Living聽

There鈥檚 a reason that ranch-style architecture gained so much popularity when it arrived on the American scene in the 1920s: the low-slung, single-story home easily accommodates family members of all ages. The style is particularly accommodating for seniors due to its lack of stairs and easy indoor/outdoor access. Additionally, it celebrates the informal aspects of living and entertaining, with large uninterrupted rooms and plenty of windows to let in natural light.

Johnson describes the emphasis on livability in active adult home designs, stating, 鈥淲e focus on accessible design elements, open and spacious main level living and separate spaces for hobbies, offices or exercise rooms. Courtyard home designs, with private areas to relax and enjoy the outdoors, are perfect for pets鈥攖hey鈥檙e fenced and secure.聽And the exterior lawn maintenance we provide makes it easy to 鈥榣ock and leave,鈥� enjoying travel without worry.鈥�

According to Jim Chapman, president of , 鈥淔or many, the larger home where parents raised children is no longer necessary. Perhaps the yard requires too many hours of maintenance, or stairs and narrow doorways might become challenging.聽Maybe the grandchildren live too far away for easy visits.聽And, while many empty nesters are eager to enjoy shopping, dining, recreation and entertainment, many find themselves isolated in neighborhoods without easy access to those amenities.聽For these reasons, active adult communities have become extremely popular in the Greater Atlanta area.鈥�

#4: Financial Well-Being

Not only is a move to an active adult community a positive lifestyle change for empty nesters, but it also is a smart financial move. 鈥淲e build these homes in the suburbs and beyond because that鈥檚 where the adult children and grandchildren of many our active-adult residents live,鈥� Chapman notes. 鈥淢any of our communities are close to small towns with exciting, walkable town centers, where taxes and the cost of living is lower, but enjoyment is higher.鈥�

In fact, the cost of living for Georgians is seven percent lower than the national average (and one percent lower for Atlantans), and Georgia鈥檚 tax law is clearly set up to benefit retirees. Social Security income isn鈥檛 taxed by the state, plus there are exemptions on taxation of retirement income (like rental income, pensions and annuities) and other tax breaks for adults beginning at age 62. And utility prices are a whopping 15 percent lower than the national average, according to financial planning website . All of these factors confirm Kiplinger Magazine鈥檚 assessment in 2019 that Georgia ranks as the third best state in which to retire.

Windmill Park - Traton Homes

#5: A Healthy Environment

It seems only natural that residents who seek out retirement in active adult communities prioritize a healthy lifestyle. Atlanta is home to an abundance of medical and bioscience-related institutions and internationally recognized hospitals and clinics offering world-class care. Healthcare expenses are particularly affordable here, with the sixth-lowest average healthcare costs in the country for a retired couple. According to , Atlanta offers 10 percent lower healthcare costs than the national average, and there are almost double the number of physicians in the area compared to the national average. With so many of these facilities located close to metro Atlanta鈥檚 55+ communities, the ability to maintain your health is one of the area鈥檚 most important amenities.

For more information, visit:

鈥� Crawford Creek Communities:

鈥� Jim Chapman Communities:

鈥� Lake Arrowhead:

鈥� Traton Homes:

鈥� Windsong Properties:

Coming Soon: New 55+ Communities

The popularity of communities catering to the active adult segment of the market is evidenced by these latest arrivals in metro Atlanta.

Saddlebrook - Century Communities

Builder: Traton Homes
Location: West Cobb/Acworth
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Private courtyards, clubhouse, pool, fire pit gathering area, bocce ball court, dog park

Builder: Traton Homes
Location: East Cobb
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Private courtyards, community pavilion

Builder: Traton Homes
Location: Kennesaw
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Private courtyards, community pavilion

Builder: Traton Homes
Location: Carrollton
Type: Single-family homes, active-adult but not age-restricted
Amenities: Clubhouse, pickleball, bocce ball, access to Carrollton Greenbelt

Builder: Windsong Properties
Location: Woodstock
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Clubhouse with grand room and gathering kitchen, exercise studio, fireside pavilion, pond

Builder: Century Communities
Location: Snellville
Type: Single-family homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Pool, dog park, pickleball courts, clubhouse, walking trails, fire pit

Builder: Majestic Lifestyle Builders, Rezide Properties
Location: Waleska
Type: Ranch homes, townhomes, golf villas, lakeside villas, luxury lakeside custom homes with deep-water docks; Age-targeted not restricted.
Amenities: Lake, marina, lakeside park, fishing, boat rental and sailing programs, hiking trails, golf course, pro shop, clubhouse with restaurant, grill/restaurant, Great Festival Park, sports courts, pickleball, tennis, resort-style swimming pools