Whether or not you’re close to considering retirement, you may be one of the many empty nesters who are choosing to purchase homes in active adult communities today. These specialized neighborhoods are designed for the aging in place population—adults who intend to remain as active as ever but want to downsize and join a community of compatible neighbors. In fact, According to Kiplinger Magazine, “While most pre-retirees expect to stay in the same state or region once they retire, 40 percent want to take the opportunity to try someplace completely different.” If that describes you, the following factors might lure you to one of the many active adult communities right here in metro Atlanta.

#1: A Sense of Belonging

The rise in popularity of active adult communities comes as no surprise to Michael Rosenberg, president and COO of Crawford Creek Communities, who is also chair of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association’s 55+ Council. He notes, “The aging population is more active now, and the idea of just retiring and going off into the sunset has gone by the wayside. People want to be with like-minded folks of a similar age, and they want to engage in lots of activities.”

Rosenberg recently assembled a panel of real estate experts to explore and identify the most important amenity an active adult property can offer. “They said it’s the clubhouse because people want a place to get together, to be social. Homebuyers are often moving into smaller homes in these communities, so they want a place to have a big party; clubhouse features, like a warming kitchen and cozy fireplace, are really appealing to them.”

Kris Johnson, sales and marketing director for Windsong Properties, also recognizes the trend and says, “These communities are just the right size to get to know neighbors who are in the same life stage. The clubhouse is designed so homeowners can enjoy regular social activities, holiday events, exercise clubs and classes, all designed by homeowners so they’re specific to the interests of the whole neighborhood.”

Lake Arrowhead

#2: Mother Nature’s Open Arms

As many active adults endure social isolation due to COVID-19, they seek natural beauty in their surroundings. Judie Woodall, a managing member of Strategic Real Estate Advisors, describes home buyers at Lake Arrowhead’s master-planned community, stating “The pandemic has caused people to do more ‘cocooning,’ so outdoor living areas with a tranquil, peaceful environment is what everyone is so desperate for this year. Outdoor fireplaces, big windows and expanded porches offering long-range views of the golf course, mountains or lake are what they want after being quarantined on a Zoom call. They just want to get back to nature. Lake Arrowhead is just six miles from a grocery store, but once you arrive home, you never want to leave.”

Kimberly Garwood, director of marketing for Traton Homes, says that the company’s active adult home designs highlight Atlanta’s climate, which boasts on average 217 sunny days per year. Today’s active adults want to take advantage of that, especially if they have turned in their snow shovels for bottles of sunscreen thanks to a relocation. She says, “A private courtyard forms the centerpiece of our living spaces, allowing you access to a quiet, peaceful, private oasis just steps from anywhere in your home.”

#3: Accessible Living 

There’s a reason that ranch-style architecture gained so much popularity when it arrived on the American scene in the 1920s: the low-slung, single-story home easily accommodates family members of all ages. The style is particularly accommodating for seniors due to its lack of stairs and easy indoor/outdoor access. Additionally, it celebrates the informal aspects of living and entertaining, with large uninterrupted rooms and plenty of windows to let in natural light.

Johnson describes the emphasis on livability in active adult home designs, stating, “We focus on accessible design elements, open and spacious main level living and separate spaces for hobbies, offices or exercise rooms. Courtyard home designs, with private areas to relax and enjoy the outdoors, are perfect for pets—they’re fenced and secure. And the exterior lawn maintenance we provide makes it easy to ‘lock and leave,’ enjoying travel without worry.”

According to Jim Chapman, president of Jim Chapman Communities, “For many, the larger home where parents raised children is no longer necessary. Perhaps the yard requires too many hours of maintenance, or stairs and narrow doorways might become challenging. Maybe the grandchildren live too far away for easy visits. And, while many empty nesters are eager to enjoy shopping, dining, recreation and entertainment, many find themselves isolated in neighborhoods without easy access to those amenities. For these reasons, active adult communities have become extremely popular in the Greater Atlanta area.”

#4: Financial Well-Being

Not only is a move to an active adult community a positive lifestyle change for empty nesters, but it also is a smart financial move. “We build these homes in the suburbs and beyond because that’s where the adult children and grandchildren of many our active-adult residents live,” Chapman notes. “Many of our communities are close to small towns with exciting, walkable town centers, where taxes and the cost of living is lower, but enjoyment is higher.”

In fact, the cost of living for Georgians is seven percent lower than the national average (and one percent lower for Atlantans), and Georgia’s tax law is clearly set up to benefit retirees. Social Security income isn’t taxed by the state, plus there are exemptions on taxation of retirement income (like rental income, pensions and annuities) and other tax breaks for adults beginning at age 62. And utility prices are a whopping 15 percent lower than the national average, according to financial planning website Payscale.com. All of these factors confirm Kiplinger Magazine’s assessment in 2019 that Georgia ranks as the third best state in which to retire.

Windmill Park - Traton Homes

#5: A Healthy Environment

It seems only natural that residents who seek out retirement in active adult communities prioritize a healthy lifestyle. Atlanta is home to an abundance of medical and bioscience-related institutions and internationally recognized hospitals and clinics offering world-class care. Healthcare expenses are particularly affordable here, with the sixth-lowest average healthcare costs in the country for a retired couple. According to Bestplaces.net, Atlanta offers 10 percent lower healthcare costs than the national average, and there are almost double the number of physicians in the area compared to the national average. With so many of these facilities located close to metro Atlanta’s 55+ communities, the ability to maintain your health is one of the area’s most important amenities.

For more information, visit:

• Crawford Creek Communities: crawfordcreekcommunities.com

• Jim Chapman Communities: jimchapmancommunities.com

• Lake Arrowhead: lakearrowheadga.com

• Traton Homes: tratonhomes.com

• Windsong Properties: windsonglife.com

Coming Soon: New 55+ Communities

The popularity of communities catering to the active adult segment of the market is evidenced by these latest arrivals in metro Atlanta.

Saddlebrook - Century Communities

Courtyards at Camden
Builder: Traton Homes
Location: West Cobb/Acworth
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Private courtyards, clubhouse, pool, fire pit gathering area, bocce ball court, dog park

Courtyards at Ebenenzer
Builder: Traton Homes
Location: East Cobb
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Private courtyards, community pavilion

Kirk Ridge
Builder: Traton Homes
Location: Kennesaw
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Private courtyards, community pavilion

Windmill Park at Brown’s Farm
Builder: Traton Homes
Location: Carrollton
Type: Single-family homes, active-adult but not age-restricted
Amenities: Clubhouse, pickleball, bocce ball, access to Carrollton Greenbelt

Marlowe
Builder: Windsong Properties
Location: Woodstock
Type: Ranch homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Clubhouse with grand room and gathering kitchen, exercise studio, fireside pavilion, pond

Saddlebrook
Builder: Century Communities
Location: Snellville
Type: Single-family homes, 55+ restricted
Amenities: Pool, dog park, pickleball courts, clubhouse, walking trails, fire pit

Lake Arrowhead
Builder: Majestic Lifestyle Builders, Rezide Properties
Location: Waleska
Type: Ranch homes, townhomes, golf villas, lakeside villas, luxury lakeside custom homes with deep-water docks; Age-targeted not restricted.
Amenities: Lake, marina, lakeside park, fishing, boat rental and sailing programs, hiking trails, golf course, pro shop, clubhouse with restaurant, grill/restaurant, Great Festival Park, sports courts, pickleball, tennis, resort-style swimming pools