The 100 Top 55+ and Active Adult Communities for 2016

I'm glad that this annual list is published for those who want to live in retirement communities. I am not one of them, but the list appears to be helpful for those who do.

Comparable to the Pine Canyon or Talking Rock with way more going for it in weather and amenties and views is the Rim Golf Community in Payson.
We looked at all of them.
Pine Canyon and Talking Rock do not have the 2 golf courses each.
And the weather does not compare with the Rim and Chaparral Pines in Payson Arizona --
The two communities ( Rim Golf and Chaparral Pines ) share amenities. Plus easy access to Scottsdale.
Also More diverse housing options for all price ranges from 100k to over a million.

Thank you for creating this list.
This is an excellent, consolidated, starting point of places to investigate. The diversity of places is eye opening. Most are unknown to me. This list will save me a tremendous amount of time and help reduce some anxious uncertainty.

Again, thank you.

Enjoyed reading through the list. What was missing though was none in Utah (St. George area) and northern Nevada (Carson City), two areas we are looking at and will visit in January.

I agree with Elaine C . Great list! I/ we do not want to live in such a community, but loved the list. We live in Charleston, SC. It is perfect for us. We can leave our home here and be in DC in 8 hours for doctors appointments, and old friends who stayed.

A question for Jack who lives in Charleston, SC. We are seriously considering moving there to retire in a couple of years and are considering Summerville. What are the top few reasons that make Charleston perfect for you guys? Are the summers that intolerable with the heat and humidity? We have that where we live currently - but at least we'd be near a beach in Charleston! And we know that property taxes are lower there too. Thanks for any thoughts you can provide!

sara,

Prescott is one of the places on our "check-out" list of potential places to retire to.
Besides Talking Stick (appears to be pricy) did you look at other options in Prescott
that have golf? (Prescott Lakes, etc.).

Also, St. George and Reno/Carson are possible places. Golf is great in St. George.
though it can get quite hot. Will check out this area next year when we take our
Motorhome to that area and visit the National Parks.

for Lee R: Please be aware that Summerville is not in Charleston. It's at least half an hour away on some bad SC roads until you get to the interstate. I stayed there for 2 nights to check it out. Liked the community but did not care for the location or the quality of construction.

Charles, regarding your question about St. George and Carson City. Make sure you check out our State Directories of 55+ and Active Adult Communities. Use the "Find a Community" or "Best Places" inks at the top of any page, or go to:
http://www.topretirements.com/active_adult_communities/Utah.html
http://www.topretirements.com/active_adult_communities/Nevada.html

There are plenty of communities in St. George, although we need to look harder to find some for Carson City.

Good luck!

Mike
Looked at all the golf options and other communities in Prescott, Flagstaff and Showlow.Not bad- but could not compare with the quality of the two courses at payson or the weather.
Flagstaff and Pine Canyon very seasonal. Showlow even more so.
The two courses The Rim and Chaparral Pines are very different from each other and great courses. Some of the PGA and LPGA play regularly and practice there. And views are much better. Many of the valley and Prescott courses face water problems, but not Payson.
Can play year round with just a few days closed but do not have to endure tge valley heat.

Mike
Forgot to mention- looks like you are looking at Talking Stick instead of Talking Rock
Stick is in Phoenix -lovely but pricey. Talking Rock not as fancy in Prescott.

This Comment from E Wilkes was moved here because it fit better. Can anyone help out?

Very frustrated in my research due to home size- why can’t I find an affordable size home for 1 person! I don’t need more than 2/2. I am single, very active outdoors- love to hike w/ my dogs and work in my yard. Am not interested in golf. Am very interested in an active older community; possible 55 plus but doesn’t have to be. Kids are grown and are located in TN and NC- so close to those states would be ideal. Any ideas??

Hi E Wilkes: Try these Directories - http://www.topretirements.com/active_adult_communities/Tennessee.html or http://www.topretirements.com/active_adult_communities/North_Carolina.html

Or go to Search on this site and Search Communities by Amenities, selecting "Lower Price"

You should get lots of possibilities

E Wilkes - check out Fairfield Glade, TN. Huge community of about 7900 with all ages and all sorts of housing options. I am also single with dogs so I am looking to downsize to either 3/2 or 2/2 with lots of outdoor recreation either in the community or very close by. FG has lots of golf, along with other activities but if you don't play, you don't pay. It might be worth checking out. http://www.fairfieldglade.net/
There are a number of other communities in and around Knoxville. I am currently in VA but looking at either NC or TN where prices and taxes are much, much lower. I would love to hear from people that relocated to TN from the northeast and how they like it.

Talking Rock is pricey and resales average more than one year. Robson Commmunities offer more value, especially since they are the only builder in AZ that frames out the house in cinder block, not wood frame.

This comment from Jean was moved here from another Blog article:

I am renting in the Villages, they sell “the iifestyle” here, and I agree their new homes leave a lot to be desired, older Del Webb houses are a lot better than new ones since Pulte bought them out, I know from experience the quality of construction is poor, Lennar builds the Heritage in Clermont, nice houses, no restauant at the development, darn, I want to see Sun City, Fl and Valencia, fees at Valencia are higher, have to watch that in Fla. Nearest grocery from Trilogy Orland is 5 miles, otherwise I would buy there, beautiful restaurant on property. I didn’t think much of Solivita when I was ther recently. Any one know more about Heritage Hills in Clermont?

by jean — November 5, 2016

This comment was made in our recent "Types of Communities Survey" and seemed like a great question and good fit to this post. Anybody have suggestions?
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We are looking for an active 55+ adult, maintanence free community in Roanoke/Lynchburg VA areas with MOUNTAIN VIEWS~1500-1800 SF cottage, garden, attached homes~with pool and other activities~near medical facilities, hospital and doctors~near shopping~a community large enough to find people who are open-minded, friendly and have relocated to the area from wherever and are living independently, are enjoying life with varied interests. Is there such a place or are there builders looking to develope such a place for Baby Boomers? We are hoping to make the move in approx. (no longer than) two (2) years which is how long we figure it will take us to downsize and sell our oversized house with too much property for retired people. We are in the mountains of western NC and don't want to be without the mountain views. We also want to be closer to our daughter and Grandson.

Comment from KLF:

I would be interested in learning/hearing from individuals that have moved into a CCRC and their experiences - good/bad. Would they do it again?

What's a CCRC?
Thanks!!

Staci - good question. CCRC stands for Continuing Care Retirement Community. Another name for basically the same type of community is Life Care Community.
The idea is that once you enter this community you will have a place to live for the rest of your life, regardless of your health. A typical path is you join in your 70s or 80s (CCRCs would rather have you buy in younger) and you live in a nice apartment with one meal a day. Most have great amenities like indoor swimming pools, clubs, gyms, social gatherings. As your health changes you could move into a unit where you get more care, and if you really need it you move to a unit with round the clock nursing. Your editor's parents lived in one and it was fantastic for them - and for their children. Both parents had periods where they needed the extra care at different times, but the other parent was still able to live in the original apartment until the other got better. They are usually expensive. See our article http://www.topretirements.com/blog/retirement-planning-2/the-all-in-one-appeal-of-a-ccrc.html/
Topretirements has many CCRCs in our Directories, you can find them by selecting that option in the Advanced Search

What, in a retirement community, as far as amenities go, is of most interest? Are readers willing to pay for communities with things such as pools and golf courses? How about a bus for transportation and organized social activities? What is really used? Do you take advantage of the amenities offered?
Thanks

Diane sent this in. Interesting - anyone have ideas to help?

I am interested in a community in South Florida that has a fun atmosphere for retired people yet is part of a community of independent, assisted and full time nursing care. Also one that if we would be so unfortunate as to need memory care, a decent place for that too. I will consider going as far north as Ocala or Orlando but only if it is spectacular and the price was right. I am 78 yrs old and would like to be situated by next Christmas if possible. For the past 5 or 6 years I have been living in a very comfortable small 3 bedroom townhouse community in North Palm Beach, Fl. It is on the ground floor and there are no steps.

So far I have engaged a woman from “A Place for Mom”. She has made an appointment for me to visit a place in Port Saint Lucie for next week. I intend to spend a good deal of time researching all of the possibilities that my husband and I can physically handle.

This is your editor's response to Diane:

Thanks for sending in your thoughtful comments about your situation. I think there are a lot of people just like you looking.

We posted it in one of our Blogs hoping that some of our other Members might have some ideas for you. You can see it here. http://www.topretirements.com/blog/active-adult-communities/the-100-top-55-and-active-adult-communities-for-2016.html/#comments

In the meantime you might find that a CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) is a good option for you and your husband. They are not cheap, but they do provide a wonderful service. There are many in Florida such as Shell Point and Cyprus Cove in Ft. Myers http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Florida/Fort%20Myers/Shell%20Point.html and http://www.topretirements.com/reviews/Florida/Fort%20Myers/Cypress%20Cove.html

You can find more CCRCs by using our Advanced Search and selecting that Type of Community http://www.topretirements.com/Browse.html

Good luck