Active adult housing

Active adult housing refers to communities either age-targeted or age-restricted to people aged 55 or older (sometimes 50 or older).

Homes for active adults tend to be single family detached homes, and typically range from 1500 to convert|2000|sqft|m2, and lots tend to be less than a quarter of an acre [“50+ Housing Characteristics.” 50+ Housing Council. 17 Jan. 2007, National Association of Home Builders. Accessed 17 Jan. 2007 [http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=826&genericContentID=54480] .] . “In single-family detached homes, two full bathrooms and three bedrooms are most common. In multifamily units, one bathroom and two bedrooms are most common. The only exceptions are among households age 75 or older, where one-bedroom multifamily and one-bathroom single-family housing units are more common.”

Active adult housing is often designed for complete single-floor living, with features like laundry facilities and the master bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. Active adult homes have few, if any, steps to get into the home, and often boast details like toggle/rocker light switches, lever handles, shower stalls with seats, wide doorways, and other features that make life easier for people who are experiencing the pains associated with aging (like arthritis). Home exteriors are planned to require little or no maintenance, and often a monthly association fee includes landscaping, yard maintenance, and snow removal.

Active adult communities feature amenities consciously planned into the communities; “ [a] mong these particular amenities, open space within half a block and recreational facilities are the most common.” [“50+ Regional and Neighborhood Attributes.” 50+ Housing Council. 17 Jan. 2007, National Association of Home Builders. Accessed 17 Jan. 2007 [http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=826&genericContentID=54480] .] These recreational facilities include walking trails and park spaces, along with a lifestyle center/ clubhouse that emphasize clubs and activities and feature resort-style amenities. Amenities often include an indoor and/or outdoor heated swimming pool, whirlpool tub, steam and/or sauna rooms, separate facilities for aerobics and weight training, rooms for cards, games and billiards, and often feature a great room with a commercial kitchen as well as facilities for tennis, golf, shuffleboard, bocce, and more. Clubs and activities focus on scrap booking and other crafts.

Active adult communities are often managed by a home owners’ association (HOA).

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