Active Adult Communities - This isn't your Mother's Nursing Home!

There is a new generation of retirees coming to town, and they are seeking active adult communities. No more Bingo and reading nooks, this group wants to entertain and remain young at heart for a very long time!
By: Heather Logrippo
 
Nov. 1, 2012 - PRLog -- This is a tsunami coming - a tsunami of baby boomers redefining the term retirement community so much that it is now being called an active adult community. No more apartments with small closets and miniscule kitchens. This generation is vastly different than their parents, and their housing desires reflect that.

Many in this generation find themselves entering their sixth or seventh decade still emplyed or attending college classes to further their knowledge. The are tech savvy, and they love their amenities aas much now as they did when they were 40.

So what are some of the things this generation is seeking? For starters, they want fitness facilities, good food and a sense of community. No more Bingo or quiet reading nooks. This group wants wall space for flat screen TV's and wireless Internet access in every possible space.  They aren't looking to go quietly into the good night, they want to remain active and continue to learn, and they want hiking and biking trails too.

Shuffleboard may be a thing of the past, but games are still important. The hottest fitness fad is pickleball which is a combination of tennis and Ping-Pong and played on a badminton-size court with wood paddles and a plastic Wiffle ball. Pickleball has become so much a part of the active adult community in the Southwest, in fact, that the first USA Pickleball Association national tournament will be held this November.

One thing is for sure, seniors are spending more time enjoying the outdoors, which has led to larger outdoor living spaces. Many new active adult communities are creating larger patio spaces were residents can relax outside with a glass of wine and survey their surroundings. If there is a view of a lake, mountain or golf course, even better.

This generation is also interested in lifelong learning in all aspects – body, mind and spirit. Offering classes in current events, Internet safety, and a foreign language for their minds is essential. This group also wants to maintain their fitness, but the classes are much more holistic. They want to have access to a variety of fitness options. Everything from Tai Chi to water aerobics is popular with this new generation of fit older adults. They also want massage and classes on nutrition so that they will have the lung capacity to blow out the candles on their 100th birthday cake.

Perhaps the biggest change – aside from the obvious addition of the Internet, iPads and other electronic devices, is the boomer's desire to continue to revel in their classy surroundings. They still want their stainless steel appliances, their granite countertops and their large kitchens. This group loves to entertain and they want to continue to be able to do so. They are also still smitten with their oversized showers and their walk-in closets.

The world is much different today; no more working for the same company for 40 years and quietly retiring to a small home. This group plans to party likes it's 1999, and they want to be lifelong, active learners. Active adult communities that offer the amenities listed above will draw the most interest in the years to come.
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Source:Heather Logrippo
Email:***@exposeyourselfpr.com Email Verified
Tags:Peggy Patenaude, Prudential, Howe and Doherty, Andover, North Andover
Industry:Real Estate, Marketing
Location:United States
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