Retirement communities can prove a good option for retirees who love to socialize. They are often home to several clubs and activities where older adults can mingle with like-minded people.
The amenities and sometimes surprisingly affordable home options make them more appealing. However, not all communities for people at least 55 years old have the same offerings.
You can better prepare for retirement if you consider your options early. The options on this list are most appealing to retirees who want to live an active lifestyle and make friends with their peers.
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1. Del Webb Sweetgrass: Richmond, Texas
Del Webb Sweetgrass is an active 55+ community located in Richmond, Texas. Residents enjoy “resort-style amenities,” including a fully staffed lodge with an indoor lap pool, a card room, and a fitness center.
Del Webb Sweetgrass offers plenty of social activities and clubs, and the homes feature spacious floor plans. The community’s website states that special financing is available. However, there is a monthly HOA fee of $129.
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2. Whispering Winds: Bend, Oregon
Whispering Winds is a good option for active Oregon retirees. The community offers “enriching social programs” and activities, including game time, clubs, classes, seminars, and movie nights. There is even a creativity room where residents and their guests can paint, sew, and crochet.
Residents can rent on a month-to-month basis for as little as $3,250 for a one-bedroom apartment. However, larger apartments and rentals for more than one occupant may cost more. The cost includes cable, internet, and local phone services.
3. Sun City Hilton Head: Bluffton, South Carolina
Sun City Hilton Head houses more than 17,000 residents, making it a great choice for social butterflies who want to retire in South Carolina.
Residents can enjoy 7.5 miles of walking trails and paths, three fitness centers, a woodshop, Pickleball courts, and more. With 72 chartered clubs and 43 registered community groups, there are plenty of opportunities for socializing.
Two-bedroom, two-bathroom homes in Sun City Hilton Head start at below $400,000. Buildable plans and pre-existing home options are available.
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If you’re looking for an active retirement community in California, look no further. Laguna Woods Village is home to more than 18,000 residents and is only 10 minutes from the Laguna Beach coastline.
The 55+ community offers more than 250 clubs and organizations. There are also several amenities for residents to enjoy, including a performing arts center, swimming pools, golf courses, a tennis facility, and more.
Residents can buy or rent, but they must meet financial requirements. Homes in Laguna Woods Village can be purchased for less than $300,000. However, some homes cost significantly more. There are more than 100 floor plans to choose from.
5. Sun City Summerlin: Las Vegas, Nevada
Few places are as famous or active as Las Vegas, and the city is home to a 55+ resort community known as Sun City Summerlin. The community is only minutes away from downtown and features an Olympic-sized pool.
Residents of Sun City Summerlin can also enjoy musical performances, fitness centers, golf courses, and events with guest speakers.
The community has 7,781 homes. Residents must pay a monthly assessment fee that helps cover the cost of amenities. Assessment amounts are adjusted periodically.
6. On Top of the World: Ocala, Florida
Florida is an often-thought-of retirement destination, and it’s home to several retirement communities, including On Top of the World in Ocala.
According to the community’s website, On Top of the World is “home to an endless stream of concerts, parties, happy hours, and social get-togethers.” Residents can also choose between 175 community clubs.
On Top of the World home prices can vary significantly. The cost for a 1,343 sq. ft. two-bedroom home starts at just over $280,000. On the more expensive end, a 2,907 sq. ft. three-bedroom home with a three-car garage starts at more than $500,000.
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The Villages is yet another active retirement community located in the Sunshine State. Each “Village” consists of 55+ retirement communities, where residents can enjoy free nightly entertainment, golf, and much more.
If you aren’t sure if retiring to The Villages is the right choice, you can book a short stay and see what it would be like to live there before making a decision. Visitors stay in a two-bedroom home and are provided a complimentary golf cart for transportation.
You can find homes for sale in The Villages, ranging from less than $275,000 to more than $1 million. The additional $195 monthly amenity fee covers more than 3,000 clubs and activities, access to 42 golf courses, and more.
Bottom line
Retirement communities aren’t the best option for every retiree. However, if you love to socialize with other retirees and have access to resort-like amenities, a 55+ community is worth considering.
It’s important to research each community thoroughly so you don’t waste your retirement savings . Costs can vary dramatically, and some communities may offer all-inclusive amenities while others tack on additional fees.
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