Welcome to the premiere edition of Active Living News, the e-newsletter of ActiveAdult Living.com. Every month we'll have a featured article as well as financial insights and health tips, PLUS we'll feature five great communities from our website, www.ActiveAdultLiving.com and our new book, "1001 Active Lifestyle Communities!"

It has been our endeavor since 1998 to be the most concise information resource available for active adult, age-restricted, and active lifestyle communities.

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7 Great Reasons for Living in an Active Lifestyle Community


The purchase of a home in an active lifestyle community is a purchase of choice, not of necessity. Here are 7 great reasons why folks choose to make that decision:

Reason #1 – Your happiness. Many developers go to great lengths to create an almost utopian lifestyle in their communities with activities ranging from sports, fitness, and crafts, to outings, dining and dancing. While those activities will occupy your time, in and of themselves, they won’t bring you happiness! However, activities enjoyed with a soul mate or spouse or the new friends that you’ll make in an active lifestyle community will bring you satisfaction and fulfillment.

Reason #2 – Keep on keepin’ on. Someone once said that to retire is to die! Perhaps that’s why developer Del Webb coined the slogan, Live On! While the ad agencies paint idyllic pictures of active lifestyle community residents occupying their time in pursuit of their favorite sports, hobbies and avocations, the reality is that some folks enjoy the day-to-day routine of the workaday world - and the camaraderie of their business or professional peers. Old habits do die hard! For some, an abrupt transition from full time work to full time retirement may not work, and that’s o.k. It’s perfectly acceptable to continue to work, be it full time or part time; you don’t have to be retired to live in an active lifestyle community!

Reason #3 – Your health. Health and well being come from more than just exercise! While many active lifestyle communities do offer a range of physical activities, just having the opportunity to recreate or participate together with like minded active adults in things such as hobbies, crafts, or cards will bring enjoyment and may likely add years to your life. They say with regard to the “grey matter” that if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it -and some active lifestyle communities even offer residents the opportunity to participate in college level continuing education classes!

Reason #4 – New friends. A large number of folks will choose to purchase in an active lifestyle community that is not more than 600 miles from where they raised the family. The friendships that were developed during those decades may seem impossible to ever replace, but once you live in an adult community, you’ll soon likely find that new friends will come easily.

Reason #5 – New beginnings. Life in an active adult community gives you the unique opportunity to meet folks in your general age range right where you live. If you’ve been predeceased by your spouse or soul mate, or have found yourself as the casualty of a divorce, moving in to an active lifestyle community may give you a whole new lease on life! Loneliness stinks, and you ain’t getting any younger…

Reason #6 – Have it your way… Many things have changed since the days when you purchased the home that you raised your family in… Different mortgages, different types of ownership, and different lifestyles are now available. It all adds up to having it your way, life on YOUR terms. What are your objectives when purchasing in an active lifestyle community? Will you buy your home with cash? Will you leverage your home with a mortgage? Will you seek fee simple ownership of the land on which your home is built, or could you be satisfied with a leasehold ownership? The beautiful thing is that there are so many active lifestyle communities offering wide varieties of ownership options, that you truly CAN have it your way!

Reason #7 – A time for YOU. A move to an active adult community may most of all signify that you are at last rewarding yourself for a job well done. Your entire life may have been focused on service to others, be it the family you raised and/or the life of work which you may have retired from. Perhaps there’s been a suppressed desire to take up oil painting or join a drama club, to tune up the golf game or volunteer your time and talents with a local non-profit…

If you’re reading this article, it is no doubt because you don’t yet live in an active lifestyle community, or perhaps you’re reading this because you’re making plans to assist a parent in their decision to make the move. With the onslaught of retiring baby boomers the choices, varieties and numbers of communities available have never been better!

UNCERTAINTY OF INFLATION
How Strong Will Your Dollar Be?
By Abner, Herrman & Brock Asset Management


The Federal Reserve has been diligent in its efforts to slow the U. S. economy from the high rates of growth it has experienced over the past two years. These efforts are primarily focused on the concern that high rates of economic growth in the U.S. will create higher rates of inflation. As we know, inflation increases the cost of goods and services as consumers and businesses pay higher prices for purchases. Higher inflation rates often lead to a weaker dollar in world markets which has further destabilizing affects on the U.S. economy.

• The Federal Funds rate has been steadily increased with minimal impact on U.S. economic growth.
• Economic growth in the second quarter of 2006 has slowed significantly from the robust 5.6% growth of the first quarter of 2006.
• The slow down was expected as first quarter of 2006 growth included a catch up from the negative effects from Hurricane Katrina.

Numerous factors have come together to provide a healthy economy not only for the United States but also for most other major economies throughout the world. Of course with higher global economic growth we would expect an increase in the rate of inflation. Inflation in and of itself is not bad. Inflation is required to provide business with pricing power to offset higher operating costs. The question is what rate of inflation is acceptable to achieve sustainable real economic growth.

It is for this reason that there is a wide diversion of economic forecasts for interest rates and inflation. If history is a guide to the future, experience has shown us that forecasts for economies and interest rates typically “overshoot their mark.” We would expect a similar experience this time. These uncertainties are likely to carry over to the stock market. By comparison, bonds may emerge as an attractive alternative or complement.

(To read this article in its entirety, click here)

Abner, Herrman & Brock Asset Management has provided personalized investment solutions for high net worth families nationwide since 1981.

Please visit their web site at www.ahbi.com or call them directly @ 201-484-2000 for a personal discussion on Investment Philosophy, Process and People.

Quail Creek Resort
Tucson, AZ
Single Family Homes, 1430-3418 sq. ft.
From Low $300's

Amenities: High desert terrain at the foot of the Santa Rita Mountains. Championship golf course; lighted tennis courts, pool, whirlpool; dining.
Click Here for more details

Villa Portofino
Palm Desert, CA
Villas, Casitas, 1700-2500 sq. ft.
From Mid $300's to High $800's

Amenities:  Located in the Coachella Valley, the "Golf Capital of the World." A 1600 acre gated community with panoramic views of the mountains. Clubhouse, 27-hole golf, fitness, swimming, hiking, dining. Travel Agent, Bistro.
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Regency at Dominion Valley
Northern Virginia
Single Family Homes and Luxury Condominiums
From Mid $300's to Mid $500's

Amenities: Beautiful scenic vistas of Bull Run Mountain, 18-hole golf, clubhouse, fitness center, indoor & outdoor pools, business center, tennis courts, and miles of hiking/biking trails.
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The Orchards of Habersham Grove
Cumming, GA
Ranch Condominiums, 1900-2250 sq. ft.
From Low $200's

Amenities:  Swimming pool, common green mini-park, clubhouse and fitness center.
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Hammock Bay
Naples, FL
Luxury Condominiums, 1845-2606 sq. ft.
From Mid $700's

Amenities: 18-hole golf, sports club, health and wellness center, tennis, spa services, concierge, lagoon-style pool with inclined beach entry, outdoor Tiki Bar and event lawn.
Click Here for more details