Results Are in: 55+ and New Urban Communities on Top
Category: Active adult communities
July 18, 2024 — The results are in from our recent poll of your favorite community types, which we labelled “The Search”. In 2 polls featuring 10 different types, we asked our Members and visitors to vote on which type of community they would most like to retire in. The results came in much as expected, but there were also some very big surprises. In Part 1 the favorite was far and away 55+ active adult communities – it got 34% of the votes. In Part 2 the surprising winner was New Urban Communities, which garnered 28%. Golf and RV Resort communities were way down at the bottom, attracting very little interest. Over 400 people voted (thank you!) Detailed results below.
Comments on "Results Are in: 55+ and New Urban Communities on Top"
Yolande says:
I'm not surprised by the results. I find so called 55+ communities to have way too many people that are far older than me, and the so called 55+ Active to not have anyone who is truly active living in them. I chose urban because of that reason, and the fact that 55+ communities if they're built out, the homes haven't been updated since they were built in the 1970s and 1980s. I'm not paying a high price for a home then have to spend $100K+ updating someone else's bad taste.
I would prefer to have a modern luxury home in an urban community, costing less and getting more, where my privacy is paramount, and the interior appointments match my tastes.
Toni says:
I live in a 55+ active community of 2498 households. Ages generally range from 55 to 85 and that is what makes a 55+ community so nice. When you move in you tend to make friends with those in your age group and you all "age in place" as the years go by. There is a constant rotation of younger people coming in so there is always active people. And, I have to laugh at the comment homes haven't been updated. You just need to do your homework as far as the age range of the homes. Our community has condos, duplexes and single-family homes built from 2000 to 2020. Most have been updated over the years by the owners so you have a nice mix to choose from when buying. Appreciation of our home values has steadily gone up since 2000 which is another plus as it is a very well kept community.
Patricia says:
So are there going to be articles suggesting certain of these "new urban" communities? I for one would really like to know where they are.
Admin says:
Great question. We have written some articles about them in the past. Here are a couple. We might also create a new Blog category with that heading.
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/paper-or-plastic-do-you-yearn-to-retire-in-a-traditional-community/
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/frustrated-about-finding-your-ideal-retirement-community-how-about-a-new-urban-community/
https://www.topretirements.com/blog/the-best-walkable-communities-for-retirement/
Admin says:
Another way to find these communities is to use our Community Explorer feature.
https://www.topretirements.com/community-explorer/
First, select a state. Then under "Unit Types" choose New Urban and Mixed Use. Sometimes our advertisers are a little loose with their qualification to be New Urban
Tom Egly says:
One thing that people don't think about in 55+ communities is that your child probably won't be old enough to live there when you pass if they choose to.