Where Are The Best Retirement Villages
While these communities are popping up across the country, there are a few retiree housing developments that stand apart from the rest. You can also find specialty villages that have specific requirements or amenities. These include LGBTQ, pet-friendly, luxury, and religion-specific villages, as well as villages for military veterans.
Below is a list of the top ten best retirement villages you can find in America today. This list is comprised of communities from various states that hold the highest standards in medical assistance, offer numerous recreational benefits and present a wide variety of accommodations.
Affordable Living With Easy Access To Recreation
Kevin Miyazaki
L: The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum in East Lansing, Michigan. R: Artist Brian Whitfield paints a mural at the Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing, Michigan.
Vallary Harris, 73, enjoys public parks in the day and jazz at intimate clubs at night. But not in New York City, where she spent her 40-year career in human services.
In 2017, Harris moved back to her hometown of Lansing, to be near cousins and childhood friends and to enjoy a more affordable lifestyle.
This historic riverside town offers city amenities at budget-friendly prices and with a relaxed small-town vibe, entwined with some of the Midwests finest year-round outdoor recreation. Rent a kayak, paddle around downtown, tour the state capitol, check out a landmark museum and take a selfie with a rhino at the zoo all in the same day.
Lansing boasts 111 parks within its 36 square miles, and nearby county parks offer wildlife observation areas, pet-friendly trails, beaches and by-the-hour rentals of paddleboats, cross-country ski gear and other equipment. The highlight is the Lansing River Trail, with more than 20 miles of paved pathways for bicycling and walking, branching from downtown along the areas waterways.
You can get on a bike or walk and be on this wonderful trail that goes all through the city and to the suburbs and the Michigan State campus, in East Lansing, says retiree and longtime resident Marna Wilson, 71. There are lots of access points.
Melissa Preddy
Population
Vibe
Outdoor Beauty And A Quiet Lifestyle
Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Downtown Provo, Utah on Center Street at dusk.
Nestled between Utah Lake and the Wasatch Range, Provo offers watersports, hiking, fly fishing and skiing within a short drive of the antique shops, bookstores and restaurants along Center Street.
The nearby Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest features more than 1,700 miles of hiking trails, and more than 500 miles are open to easier-to-pedal electric bicycles and electric trail bikes. Were known as the forest next door, says public affairs officer Loyal Clark. Most residents can either walk right out their back door or take a very short drive to access the national forest. About 30 minutes from Provo, Timpanogos Cave National Monument invites visitors to explore three spectacular limestone caves on ranger-led tours. Provo is also just a half-days drive from all five of Utahs national parks.
The areas outdoor beauty attracted the actor Robert Redford decades ago to purchase property in the North Fork of Provo Canyon. Redford championed conservation while building a mountain recreation resort and staging the Sundance Film Festival in Park City.
Ed Carter
Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo
Provo, Utah, view of downtown from the lookout during an autumn dusk.
Population
27.3 percent of income spent on housing
Access to exercise
85 percent live near parks and recreational facilities.
Vibe
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Retirement Community With The Best Amenities: Sun City Hilton Head Bluffton South Carolina
If youre looking for a place to keep your body and mind as active as possible in your golden years, consider Sun City Hilton Head. At its center lies an amenity campus that resembles a town square. Hilton Head is one of the best places to retire in South Carolina, and you can enjoy 54 holes of golf, swimming, tennis, pickleball and gym classes. Then, you can relax at the spa. Or join one of its many clubs to interact with your neighbors. Home prices start at about $100,000 and extend to about $800,000.
Why Choose A 55+ Community
55+ communities typically offer a number of exciting amenities and social programs. Residents are drawn to features like:
- Luxury lifestyle amenities: golf courses, tennis courts, pools, fitness centers, walking paths, clubhouses, restaurants, bars, and sometimes much more.
- Secure, gated entries offering safety and piece of mind for both full-time and seasonal residents.
- An active calendar of social events – Holiday parties, themed dinners, golf tournaments, tennis and pickle-ball mixers, bridge, clubs for special hobbies and interests, guest speakers, and much more.
- Hassle-free exterior home maintenance, such as lawn care and landscaping, included in HOA dues.
- New construction homes which are energy efficient and require very little upkeep.
- Well-maintained common areas, architectural standards, and other aesthetic features.
- Neighbors who are friendly and social.
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Lake Seminole Square In Seminole Fl
This continuing care facility offers apartments along with companion suites. Along with in-room kitchens, there are multiple dining options available, including 5 dining rooms, 2 private dining rooms, and even a bistro with full bar. Nursing and physical therapy staff are available, and a wide range of activities and amenities are included in the price. While most CCRCs have a minimum age of 62, Lake Seminole has a minimum age of 55.
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The most affordable of the 182 cities is Fort Smith, Ark., the least affordable is New York. The No. 1 city for activities is Washington, D.C., while West Valley City, Utah, ranks worst. The city ranking highest for best quality of life is Fremont, Calif., while Springfield, Mo. ranks the lowest. Lastly, for healthcare, Burlington, Vt., comes out on top, while North Las Vegas is at the bottom. None of these cities makes the top 30 overall, although Washington D.C. ranks No. 32.
Orlando, Fla. ranks at the top of WalletHub’s list of best places to retire. It ranks high for affordability and activities, and No. 70 and 68 for quality of life and healthcare, respectively.
Florida may bring to mind frequent hurricanes, but the centrally-located city of Orlando is actually one of the safest cities in the state in this regard, according to the Palm Beach Post. Walt Disney World – Get Walt Disney Company Report has closed for hurricanes six times since 1999, sometimes only for a partial day, according to one vacation site.
With cost being a significant factor in retirement, WalletHubs analysis assumes retirees will rely on a fixed income. The lower their expenses, the better retirees will fare in a particular city.
Based on their ranking, these are the best cities to retire in America:
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Best 55+ Community In Utah
SunRiver at St. George – St. George, Utah
Located in the outskirts of St. George, one of Utah’s fastest-growing areas, SunRiver is a perfect 55+ community that is surrounded by scenic mountain views, which makes it a great place for residents looking to make friends in retirement. The community’s 18-hole golf course, gorgeous swimming pools, state-of-the-art fitness center, walking trails, and outdoor sports courts make it a quite fabulous place.
The area is known for mild temperatures, as well as natural beauty, which makes it highly popular with active seniors looking for a vibrant community.
Best 55+ Community In West Virginia
The Fields at Little Run Farm – Williamstown, West Virginia
With just 56 homes, the Fields at Little Run Farm is a fantastic close-knit senior community where you can easily build lifelong friendships and relationships. Its intimate nature makes it a lot easier for residents to know each other as they can socialize in the clubhouse or indulge in various outdoor activities that are on offer.
You’ll enjoy a quaint rural setting but still easily access daily conveniences just a few minutes from the community.
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Best 55+ Community In Massachusetts
Oak Point – Middleborough, Massachusetts
If you want to enjoy a long list of amenities that are geared towards maintaining an active lifestyle, Oak Point could be an excellent option. Located in Middleborough just an hour from Boston, you’ll be living in an area surrounded by endless opportunities. Whether you’re looking for a great shopping or dining destination, Oak Point provides a lot of options.
This senior community is located in an area where you can easily access nearby Cape Cod beaches, especially during summer. If going to the beach isn’t your cup of tea, you can involve yourself in other incredible activities such as yoga, arts and crafts, book club, water aerobics, bingo, dance clubs, and many more.
Best For Low Cost: Provident Crossings Retirement Community
Provident Crossing Retirement Community
Why We Chose It: We chose Provident Crossing as the best low-cost community because it is located in tax-friendly Texas and offers an affordable, all-inclusive monthly package option.
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Fewer amenities than other communities
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No assisted living
The Provident Crossing Retirement Community is located in Round Rock, Texas, one of the least expensive places to retire in the U.S. as listed by Kiplinger in 2019. The cost of living for retirees is 5.9% lower than the national average and Texas is a tax-friendly state for retirees. This suburb of Austin gives you all the amenities of a large city there are many dining options in town and the local art and culture scene is growing in this suburb of Austin gives you all the amenities of a large city. Provident is an all-inclusive retirement community for individuals age 55 and older that offers studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. Amenities include full kitchens in each apartment, a 150-seat theatre, a 24-hour fitness center, social activities, and a wellness program.
Overall, if youâre looking for an inexpensive city to retire in and an all-inclusive living package, Provident Crossing is a great choice.
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Most Luxurious Active Retirement Community: Rio Verde Community And Country Club Rio Verde Arizona
If you want to retire in style and can afford it, you may want to consider retiring in Arizona and moving into the Rio Verde Community and Country Club. Outdoors lovers will enjoy horseback riding and the two massive golf courses surrounded by picturesque walking trails. Many of the 1,000 custom-built homes offer scenic views of the mountains. Houses start at $350,000 and can easily climb to $1 million.
Irs Audit Of Cdd Bonds
In January 2008, the Village Center CDD was notified by the Internal Revenue Service of the IRS’ intent to audit several recreational bonds issued in 2003 to determine compliance with tax regulations . The IRS sent three “Notices of Proposed Issues” in January 2009 challenging the tax-exempt status of the bonds on three grounds:
The position stemmed in large part from the interrelationship between VCCDD and The Villages developers . Essentially, the IRS position is that the VCCDD is an “alter ego” for the developers.
From March 2008 until October 1, 2013, it was estimated that through the Amenity Authority Committee and CDD government, Villages’ residents bore approximately $750,000.00 in legal fees in defending against the IRS audit.
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Whether To Work Or Retire These Communities Deliver On The Qualities We Most Want In A Hometown
AARP, November 29, 2021
What many of us have concluded is that our criteria are changing. Amid months of social distancing, we learned that space matters. According to a University of Vermont survey, 59 percent said the pandemic taught them that nature is integral to their well-being. At the same time, our reliance on technology and the internet has surged, and so broadband access has become even more important to daily life. More generally, trends show we want larger and more flexible homes, calmer environments, a palpable sense of community, but also 21st-century infrastructure.
Best Places to Live
Over the years, AARP The Magazine has regularly reported on great places to live on a modest income. But in our first assessment since the pandemic began, we knew we had to amend the criteria. AARPs Livable Communities team which provides support to local leaders to help make cities and towns best-suited for people of all ages and the AARP Public Policy Institute which publishes the popular Livability Index used by real estate agents and home shoppers nationwide worked with our editors to come up with 14 objective points of data by which to assess American communities in this new reality. From them, a set of communities emerged. It was full of surprises: a few big cities you might not expect to be retirement-friendly, and smaller towns that are hardly known outside their region.
Cuenca Ecuadorestimated Expat Population: 5000+
Cuencas large and growing expat community is one of Latin Americas most established and integrated with the local community. Thanks to the big and growing expat community based here now, downtown Cuenca today boasts a large number of cafés, restaurants, bars, and bookshops alongside the traditional butchers, tailors, repair shops, clothing stores, and bakeries.
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The Hearthstone In Seattle Wa
The Hearthstone is situated in a good location and has a number of clean and friendly public spaces. Continuing care at this facility starts from $2,233/month, which is lower than many of the other places on this list. Skilled nursing and physical therapy are available on-site, with shared dining also available if needed or requested. Residents at The Hearthstone can live in apartments or studio apartments, with companion suites not available.
Rio Verde Community And Country Club
Rio Verde Community and Country Club in Rio Verde, Arizona, aims to get its residents outside offering activities like hiking, cycling and horseback riding. It also has two golf courses for residents.
The community offers a peaceful mountain view yet is about an hour outside Phoenix, giving residents access to restaurants and the city action.
The community’s 1,000 custom-built homes start at about $350,000 and can top $1 million.
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Best Small Towns For Retirees In America
Many American retirees are looking to age in place, while others who have bid adieu to the workplace are seeking new locales. With no shortage of choices, how do they decide?
Some ways to narrow down the list include moving closer to grandkids or settling in a vacation spot that has generated family memories over the years. Folks who get the blues from high taxes and cold weather can find plenty of tax-friendly, warmer places to establish new roots. Those who want to stay active with outdoor recreation or by playing golf have their pick of communities near manicured club courses and the great outdoors.
Big cities have advantages, as do small towns with safe streets and quiet neighborhoods. Some of the best choices are idyllic suburbslike Piermont, New York, and Shenandoah, Texasthat are just minutes away from the business bustle and cultural attractions of big cities. As always, Florida tends to dominate retirement hotspot lists with its year-round warm weather and pristine beaches.
To help retirees considering a move, Stacker referenced Niches 2021 Best Places to Retire study, which lists 50 American small towns that offer the best retirement options. Niche made its determinations according to retiree representation, weather quality, cost and safety, access to healthy living, and a host of other factors. For each town on this list, Stacker included the towns resident population along with figures for owners, renters, and median household income.
North Fort Myers Florida
- Percentage of the population 65 and older: 47.17%
- Median list price: $211,655
- Annual cost of living: $20,569.09
While other factors help make up for it, North Fort Myers is relatively expensive to call home. The citys annual cost of living is one of just two among the best retirement cities thats $20,000 or more.
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Luther Crest Senior Living Community In Allentown Pa
Luther Crest is a fairly small community, although it offers a wide range of services. Along with continuing care, you can also access retirement homes, assisted living, and memory care. Along with nursing care, physical therapy and occupational therapy are both available to residents. The housing options at this community are also plentiful, with condo townhouses and detached homes available alongside apartments.
George Town Malaysiaestimated Expat Population: 40000+
George Town is home to a wide range of expat groups, so its easy to make new friends. For example, the International Womens Association has a very active social life. Hill-trekking, yoga, and tennis a photography club golf, bridge, and canasta a choir, a book club, and bowling. And a Hash Club isnt what you might think. If youre male, enjoy running, and want to follow a paper chase that ends with cold beers, could be your thing. Many expats work here, which adds to the cosmopolitan buzz.
Kathleen PeddicordFounding Publisher, Overseas Opportunity Letter
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