We've got an exciting issue of Active Living News for you this month! In it you'll find our featured article, which shares some insights and tips with you on relocating your parents to an active lifestyle community. You'll also find an in-depth community review of Eaglescliffe Condominiums at Ford's Colony, an exceptional 55+ condo community in Williamsburg, VA. We're also spotlighting 5 great active lifestyle communities from across the US.

Our book, 1001 Active Lifestyle Communities, which was a full year in the making - has now been released and is available for sale and immediate shipment. We're also working on a CD-ROM version which will be available next month.

And speaking of next month, in the October edition of our Active Living News e-newsletter, we will be featuring an article on reverse mortgages from Financial Freedom (The Reverse Mortgage Specialist®), a Subsidiary of Indy Mac Bank.

To navigate through our newsletter you can use the links on the left, or simply scroll down. If this is the first monthly e-newsletter you've received from us, you can view last month's edition by clicking on the hyperlink for it in the Links section below.

We'd also really appreciate it if you would "tell a friend", just click here.

Thanks,

How to Relocate Your Parents to a 55+ Community


Old bonds and deep roots…

Are your parents still living in the family neighborhood where they brought you up? If so, they have deep roots there and strong bonds, which they have developed with friends, neighbors, business owners and professionals. Sometimes, over the years, neighborhoods change; from demographic or ethnic changes - to the very ageing of the homes, businesses and services in the area. After the nest has emptied, is the infrastructure in place there to offer your parent(s) a fulfilling day-to-day life? Perhaps it’s not. They may also be uncomfortable continuing to live in a family neighborhood once their own children have grown and gone.

The power of suggestion…

So, how do you broach the topic of your parent(s) relocating to a 55+ community? We’re all creatures of habit, and when one has lived in the same nest for decades, they may not relish the thought of having to sort through years of personal possessions and stuff when contemplating a move. You may find resistance for any number of given reasons when you suggest that your parent(s) consider such a move, but the real underlying cause may just be that they don’t want to have to deal with the details of preparing for move itself. Take heart, there are a growing number of companies who offer complete organizational services and they’ll take the fear of the unknown out of your parent(s) downsizing and relocation.

Seeing is believing…

You may also want to give your parent(s) the opportunity to see first-hand the various lifestyles available to them that adult communities have to offer, so it may be worth you organizing a trip to show them. Nowadays, many seniors relocate to an active lifestyle community that is within 600 miles of where the family was raised, so you won’t have far to travel. If you don’t like the idea of chauffeuring them around on an exploratory trip, you might consider organizing a ‘vacation getaway’ trip for them…

This is how you try before you buy…

A large number of builders are now offering ‘vacation getaway’ type programs, whereby you can visit their development and stay in very nice accommodations right on the premises while you sample the good life. Of course, they’ll put their best foot forward and typically offer you the usage of all of amenities as well as free or discounted golf (as available). During the visit, a developer’s representative will give your parent(s) the guided tour and the rep will do their best to showcase all that the active adult lifestyle has to offer. They’ll also show your parent(s) the model homes and available homesites, as well as any (available inventory) ‘spec’ homes.

Your folks may still need convincing after such a visit, and the next logical step (if they’re not ready to jump right in) may be to consider a short-term (or long-term) rental. Savvy investors typically purchase properties within active lifestyle communities solely for the purpose of renting them out. You can find a selection of rentals by contacting a local Realtor who specializes in serving seniors; you can also find rentals advertised in the local newspapers, or you may also try contacting the homeowner’s association(s) of the community(ies) that are of interest to you.

Consider their current and future needs…

When you’re thinking of the right place for your parent(s) to relocate to, you will want to consider such things as the proximity of shops and services to the community. Does the community have a shuttle service, or are there local transportation services available?

If there are current medical needs with your parent(s), the proximity of doctor’s offices, pharmacies, hospital, and continuing care facilities is of course paramount. Even if your folks are currently in good health, you’ll all have peace of mind just knowing the facilities are in close proximity. In later years, if health declines, a transition to a nearby continuum of care or assisted living facility will then be an easy one.

But, for now, the good life awaits them at an active lifestyle community. The opportunity for new friends, activities, socializing (and, who knows, perhaps even romance!) awaits. The next step is up to you!! How will you identify the active lifestyle communities? Lisa LaCount has just compiled an exhaustive resource, 1001 Active Lifestyle Communities, which is available through bookstores for $28.99, or it may be ordered online at the website www.ActiveAdultLiving.com for $35.82 including shipping and handling (and it can be drop shipped directly to your folks)!

EAGLESCLIFFE CONDOMINIUMS at Ford's Colony, Virginia


The 84-unit condominium project will feature units ranging from 1,700 to 2,200 square feet with prices starting in the mid $500,000s.

With a standard interior package that includes stone countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, hardwood cabinetry, a jetted garden tub and his-and-her closets, owners will start with an upscale environment that they can tailor to their individual taste and needs. Each unit offers an open kitchen, flexible guest suite that is easily converted to a bedroom or home office, luxury master bath, balcony and a view of the community from every room.

Eaglescliffe Condominiums will fill a demand for care-free master-planned residential living. Centrally located only a short walk from the Ford's Colony Country Club and the site of a new spa that is in the planning stages, Eaglescliffe Condominiums will include the same rich design traditions and luxury living features found throughout the community, including all-brick exteriors.  Condo owners will enjoy membership privileges in the Ford's Colony Country Club and the new Ford's Colony spa when it opens.

The four-story residential project includes the same 24-hour security blanket that covers the entire community.  As an added layer of protection, a new security feature for Eaglescliffe Condominiums requires card access between the parking deck and building entrance.

The Eaglescliffe Condominiums are the first of several projects at Ford's Colony, designed to target specific lifestyle interests. In addition to a spa, a variety of new home sites and plans are in the works.

For more information or to schedule a preview visit, contact:


Deb Glowacki – William E. Wood & Associates
(757) 236-4204 (800) 950-7350
Email:  debglowacki@williamewood.com

Del Webb's Glenbrooke
Elk Grove, CA
Single Family Homes, 1258-2200+ sq. ft.


Amenities: Recreational lodge with state-of-the-art fitness center, outdoor swimming pools, and a multi-purpose room for arts and crafts.
Click Here for more details

Lakes of Mt. Dora
Mt. Dora, FL
Single Family Homes, 1221-2461 sq. ft.


Amenities:  Waterfront clubhouse, fitness trail, tennis courts, outdoor pool, waterfront views, boating. New England themed architecture on all homes. Near Orlando's entertainment and Daytona & Cocoa Beaches.
Click Here for more details

Del Webb Sun City
Huntley, IL
Single Family Homes, Villas, Club Homes, 1154-3070 sq. ft.
From Mid $100's to Mid $400's

Amenities: Prairie Lodge (over 94,000 sq. ft. with every activity you can think of!), restaurant, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, fitness center, ballroom, parks, tennis courts, softball field and volleyball courts, plus it's a golf cart community.
Click Here for more details

Del Webb Sun City
Carolina Lakes, Ft. Mill, SC
Single Family Homes, 1100-2500+ sq. ft.


Amenities:  40,000 sq. ft. recreation center with walking track, fitness center, ballroom and showcase kitchen; 18-hole championship golf course with 6 sets of tees an a par-3 course built in, a canoe and kayaking center, and indoor pool.
Click Here for more details

Ridgewood Crossing
Hingham, MA
Single Family Homes, 1865-2600 sq. ft.


Amenities: With only 31 detached houses on over 39 private wooded acres with hiking trails, Ridgewood Crossing offers the most open space and lowest density of any active adult community in the South Shore. Nearby golf, boating and recreation center, and historic Hingham Square and Harbor.
Click Here for more details