baby boomers: 10 Great Low Tax Retirement Communities - 07/18/12 02:19 PM

Along with sunshine, gorgeous scenery and resort-style amenities, the perfect retirement destination also includes retirement-friendly tax laws. While you should consult a tax professional for more specific information, here is an overview of some of our favorite low-tax retirement communities.
1. Sun City Peachtree — Griffin, Georgia
Just 35 miles south of Atlanta, Sun City Peachtree is a sprawling 55+ community which offers an impressive line-up of amenities including an 18-hole golf course, a 45,000 square-foot clubhouse and fabulous tennis facilities. In Georgia, Social Security income is exempt and residents over the age of 65 may qualify for property tax deductions.
(2 comments)

baby boomers: Oceanside Retirement Living on Hilton Head Island - 06/16/12 03:07 PM

While vacationers often flock to Hilton Head’s luxurious beaches, many active adult retirees are happy to call this resort island home. The Hilton Head area has a lot to offer retirees. It has beautiful weather, a prime coastal location, a wide range of indoor and outdoor attractions, and fabulous scenery. There are also several active adult communities in the area which offer residents a healthy, luxurious lifestyle.
Hilton Head is a barrier island found along the coast of South Carolina. It is just 35 miles northeast of Savannah and 95 miles south of Charleston. The island itself is approximately 50 square … (1 comments)

baby boomers: Home Versus Lifestyle: Which Is More Important? - 05/17/12 09:16 AM

When asked about the key to choosing a great home, real estate experts are famous for answering, “location, location, location.” That’s because they know that identical homes can have vastly different values depending on where they are located. But what do you do when you discover an amazing community, but don’t like its available homes? Or, conversely, when you fall in love with a home, but aren’t so keen on its community amenities?
In an ideal world, homebuyers would make lists of the features they want in a home and the amenities they want nearby, then choose a community that … (2 comments)

baby boomers: Our 7 Favorite Beach Retirement Destinations - 05/10/12 07:23 AM
In the chill of winter, as the snow starts to fall, many active adults begin dreaming of a warm and sunny beach retirement. Though each getaway may have its own sandy shores and sunny skies, not all beach retirement destinations are cut from the same cloth. Here are some of the highlights (and selling points) of our seven favorite coastal getaways.
1. Naples, Florida
Situated on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, the Naples area offers deep blue water and white sand beaches. This South Florida destination is ideal for fishing, either from its local piers or aboard deep-sea fishing … (1 comments)

baby boomers: 7 Reasons Life Is Better in an Active Adult Community - 04/09/12 11:51 PM
There are many reasons why empty-nesters and retirees choose to live in active adult communities. Some love the idea of living on a championship golf course, others are drawn to the wide variety of social clubs, and many are won over by the thoughtfully-designed, low-maintenance homes. Here are seven benefits to consider when imagining life in an active adult community:
1. The Lifestyle
A healthy lifestyle includes a variety of social and recreational activities. At active adult communities, residents will find more clubs, classes, organizations, activities and events than they can imagine. These amenity-rich communities often have full-time Lifestyle Directors or … (2 comments)

baby boomers: Does Handing Over the Holiday Responsibilities Make You Happy or Sad? - 04/08/12 07:10 AM
When the holidays roll around, many Baby Boomers look forward to spending time with their loved ones and sharing in long-held family traditions. Yet families grow and change over the years, and that may mean cherished holiday traditions will have to evolve as well, especially when grown children are ready to take over the holiday hosting responsibilities. Whether this is a gradual progression or an abrupt change, Baby Boomers may find the holidays have become more bittersweet.
Baby Boomers who are accustomed to hosting the holiday dinners and family get-togethers may have different reactions when the time comes to hand over … (1 comments)

baby boomers: Yes, Age-Restricted Communities Are Legal - 04/05/12 03:41 AM
When the subject of active adult communities comes up, people commonly wonder whether age-restricted communities are actually legal. The Fair Housing Act protects homebuyers and renters from discrimination based on several factors, so it seems like it should keep developers from closing their doors to residents under a certain age. However, as long as they meet certain requirements, these communities are not breaking any laws.
Established in 1968, the Fair Housing Act protects homebuyers and renters from discrimination based on seven different areas: race, color, sex, national origin, religion, familial status and disability. Age is not a protected class under the … (1 comments)

baby boomers: Low Tax Active Adult Living in Southern Delaware - 03/13/12 04:14 AM
As the largest county in the state, Southern Delaware’s Sussex County has plenty to offer active adult retirees. It has a beautiful climate for those who enjoy experiencing all four seasons, family-friendly beaches for great summer getaways, and fascinating historic appeal. Sussex County is also home to many diverse active adult communities.
Delaware is the smallest state, stretching nearly 100 miles long and ranging in width from nine to 35 miles. Yet, this small state has significant weather changes between its northern and southern regions. Being the southernmost portion of the state, Sussex County generally has warmer temperatures, although its weather … (0 comments)

baby boomers: Lago Vista, Plainfield, Illinois 55+ Community - 03/12/12 07:39 AM
The southwestern Chicago suburb of Lockport is home to the popular Lago Vista active adult community.  This resort-style community is set on 350 acres of land and is designed around 22 scenic lakes and ponds dotting the community landscape. The community opened in 2004 and is planned to have 832 homes upon completion. 
Homes at this gated Illinois active adult community are all one-story ranch style with floor plan options including single-family detached style homes and attached townhomes. Today interested home buyers can choose between either new construction or resale homes priced from the high $100’s to the high $200’s.  There … (1 comments)

baby boomers: Must Read Advice for Retiring on a Fixed Income - 03/09/12 04:20 AM
While the idea of retiring can be exciting, it also comes with some common concerns. No longer having a job means relying on a fixed income from the savings plans and tools you put in place during your career.
When you’ve carefully planned for retirement and are right on track, it’s still understandable to have some fears about switching to a fixed income. If you find yourself retiring earlier than expected due to layoffs or a medical necessity, retirement can be even more frightening. Fortunately, there are tools which can help you generate income and navigate retirement spending.
It takes some … (1 comments)

baby boomers: 7 College Towns That Make Great Retirement Locations - 03/06/12 05:46 AM
While sandy beaches and arid deserts are known as prime retirement locations, many of today’s retirees are more interested in relocating to vibrant college towns. These lively destinations offer plenty of cultural and recreational attractions. There are museums, performing arts centers, coffee shops, night clubs, restaurants and diverse shopping centers. Of course, college towns also offer one other thing that appeals to retirees: lifelong learning opportunities.
Many colleges across the country offer learning centers specifically designed for active adult retirees. These diverse programs let older students take part in many different classes and lectures without the hassle of homework, tests and … (0 comments)

baby boomers: BellaTrae by Del Webb, Champions Gate, Florida - 03/04/12 05:14 AM
Del Webb is known for offering age-restricted, resort-style communities in premiere retirement destinations across the country. BellaTrae by Del Webb is a unique community in that it is open to residents of all ages. This ChampionsGate, Florida community offers the famous Del Webb lifestyle and world-class amenities in a Central Florida location just 5 miles south of Disney World.
BellaTrae is a gated community planned to have just 716 homes upon completion. It is located within the fabulous ChampionsGate master-planned community where residents enjoy convenient access to shopping, dining and golf. There is a grocery store, banks, shops and restaurants as … (0 comments)

baby boomers: Fearrington Village, Pittsboro, North Carolina Active Adult - 02/28/12 04:41 AM
Residents of all ages will appreciate the scenic views and charming country setting of Fearrington Village in Pittsboro, NC.  This popular community opened in 1975 and is still offering new construction homes today. The community is comprised of 15 neighborhoods and is set on a historic farm site just eight miles from Chapel Hill. It offers the perfect combination of natural charm and everyday conveniences all within the one central location.
Active adults in particular are attracted to Fearrington Village. It offers an exciting lifestyle, a nice collection of amenities and finely crafted homes plus unique conveniences right within the … (0 comments)

baby boomers: 10 Great New Construction 55+ Communities in Central Florida - 02/19/12 10:17 PM
As a semi-tropical peninsula, Florida is often recognized for its beautiful beaches. However, Florida’s central region should not be overlooked by relocating retirees. This popular area offers scenic beauty with numerous lakes and sprawling golf courses. The Orlando area is also home to many exciting attractions such as theme parks, shopping centers and diverse restaurants.
The Central Florida region has many well-established 55+ communities, but there are also several spectacular developments which offer beautiful new construction homes. Here are 10 of our favorites:
1. On Top of the World
On Top of the World is a sprawling resort-style community known for … (0 comments)

baby boomers: Seattle – Not Your Typical Retirement Haven, But Worth a Look - 02/14/12 06:14 AM
Seattle is best known for quaint coffee shops, Microsoft and alternative grunge rock, but this beautiful city can also be a fabulous destination for traveling, or relocating, active adult retirees. This northern city may not fit the typical picture of a retirement haven, but not all retirees share the same taste in ideal locations. Seattle is a thriving urban center which features distinctive shopping, dining and cultural attractions, as well as breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and Cascade Mountains.
While there was a time when age-restricted communities were mainly found in arid desert locations or along sunny coastal shores, today’s … (0 comments)

baby boomers: Boomers Are More Likely to Go Green Than Younger Adults - 02/12/12 05:05 AM
As the world population continues to grow and the earth’s natural resources become more limited, many people are waking up to the importance of eco-friendly or “green” practices. Homebuyers look for energy-efficient appliances and systems, eco-friendly materials and green building practices when shopping for their next new home. And it seems that Baby Boomers are helping to drive this important trend.
A recent study conducted by Del Webb suggests that Baby Boomers may be more likely to go green than younger adults. Fifty-four percent of the Baby Boomers surveyed said that they are interested in buying an electric car, and a … (1 comments)

baby boomers: Introducing The Best Active Adult Community Search Tool, Ever - 01/05/12 03:58 AM
55Places.com is dedicated toward helping active adults find the community of their dreams, and that search just got a lot easier with our new Advanced Search feature. This intuitive search form lets you choose the elements you want in an active adult community and instantly see the results.
To get started, simply click on the “Advanced Search” link which is found below the search box in the top right corner of the home page or click on the Advanced Search icon on the search page. You will be taken to a form page with eight simple questions to help you select … (2 comments)

baby boomers: Are Golf Courses in Active Adult Communities Becoming Extinct? - 12/30/11 07:34 AM
Not long ago, the terms “active adult community” and “golf course community” were practically synonymous. Early active adult communities were modeled after the success of Del Webb’s original Sun City development and that usually meant a sprawling community with thousands of homes and a spectacular golf course. Today, trends are changing.
Several new active adult communities are still being built with their own golf courses. They are designed to have a more traditional country club feel, with golf being a focal point of the recreational activities. The golf courses benefit everyone, in the sense that they provide lovely scenery for the … (1 comments)

baby boomers: 8 Terrible Tax States for Retirees - 12/28/11 05:54 AM
Each year, Kiplinger and other financial analysts offer advice on which states are the most and least tax-friendly destinations for retirees. The criteria for these lists can vary, but they generally attempt to look at the total tax burden including taxes on income, property, sales, pension, Social Security benefits and inheritance.
While the actual implications of tax laws in any state will depend on your own particular retirement situation, there are some states which might require a closer look before relocating.
Here are our picks for states to avoid if a low tax burden is high on your list of retirement … (4 comments)

baby boomers: The Orchards of East Cherokee, Woodstock, Georgia - 12/24/11 03:12 AM
The Orchards of East Cherokee in Woodstock, Georgia is an attractive community open to residents of all ages yet is very appealing to the active adult homebuyer. Beautiful amenities, impeccable landscaping, welcoming curb appeal and finely crafted homes all combine to create a wonderful Georgia retirement retreat.
Golfers will appreciate the ideal location just minutes from six golf courses throughout the Woodstock area. The community is close to everyday conveniences and the nearby towns of Roswell, Canton, Atlanta and Decatur. Other popular area attractions include art galleries, museums, fresh produce farms and sparkling lakes ideal for boating, fishing and outdoor recreation. … (0 comments)