subject: What Is A 55 Plus Active Community? [print this page] A 55 plus active community is an adult community that is targeted towards individuals who are 55 years of age or older. A 55 plus active community is often described as an alternative to single-family home ownership. Active adult communities provide their residents with low maintenance living, a range of on-site amenities and activities and close proximity to desirable attractions. Each community is designed differently and usually include single-family homes, town homes, condominiums, manufactured housing units, or multi-family dwellings.
55 plus Active communities are designed to offer older individuals the opportunity to enjoy independent, active lifestyles, at the same time providing them access to a wide range of recreational, educational and social pursuits. Many adult communities offer everything from movie screenings and crafts to pickelball and yoga. These communities usually offer clubhouses and designated dining areas as well. In a 55 plus active community, medical needs and daily living are not generally covered. Individuals are responsible for seeing to their own medical, dietary and laundry requirements.
There are two common types of 55 plus active communities. The first type of active adult community is age-targeted and the other is age-restricted. In the United States, the Department of Housing and Urban Development creates rules that govern age-restricted communities. One such rule requires that at least 80% of the households in an age restricted community to include a person who is 55 years of age or older. Individuals who are under the age of 55 are allowed to live in a 55 plus active community, but permanent residents are required to be 19 or older.
An age-targeted adult community is very similar to an age-restricted community. However, an age-targeted community simply aims their marketing efforts at individuals who are 55 years of age or older but do not require residents to be of a certain age. An age-targeted community makes use of carefully structured marketing materials to attract older individuals. While it may be true that children are not typically residents of a 55 plus active community, they are not unwelcome. Many elderly residents have their grandchildren visit quite frequently.
A popular type of 55 plus active community is the resort or leisure-style community. In this type of adult community, one can expect to experience a resort-style living, complete with entertainment, pools, spa treatments, learning centers, fitness clubs and more. Some of these resort-style communities even offer large meeting rooms and business centers.
Benefits of a 55 plus Active Community
There are numerous benefits that lure active adults into these 55 plus active communities including the following:
- Single-story living- Many adult communities offer single-story homes and one level means individuals who have troubled knees or aching bones are not forced to climb stairs.
- Birds of a feather- Your neighbors are unlikely to be screaming teens on skateboards, they are your age and are often just like you.
- Resort living- Fun-filled activities are within walking distance.
- Mix work and play- Many seniors are not ready for a life of 100 percent leisure and wish to continue working. Homes in active adult communities generally include a den, office or separate work place.
