The Pros & Cons of 55+ Active Adult Communities

If you are exploring senior living options, you definitely stumbled upon “active adult communities”. Also known as 55+ active adult communities, they are designed for retirees and offer a low-maintenance lifestyle. Of course, there are various types of 55 plus communities in Douglasville, from budget options to high-end, luxurious facilities.

55 Communities in Douglasville may be multi-family patio homes, townhomes, condominiums, or single-family homes. The units can be rented or owned by the residents themselves (when the property is rented, the community is known as a rental community). The communities are usually built around shopping areas, including restaurants, parks, and other attractions. They are built around facilities that promote an active lifestyle, hence the name “active adult communities”. These communities are built for seniors who want to have an active lifestyle and can take care of themselves.

The maintenance and the upkeep of the homes are the responsibility of the resident, but certain exterior areas are maintained by the community. This is paid for by the resident, according to the homeowners' association dues (HOA). Active adult communities come with a major advantage – they allow residents to enjoy their retirement years and maintain an active lifestyle, but without the burden of maintaining a yard or other exterior areas. The costs are also minimal: other than the HOA dues, there are no additional fees (other than mortgage payments, if applicable).

Unlike other communities for seniors, 55 plus communities in Douglasville don't provide on-site dining facilities and don't provide any special healthcare services. The HOA dues, however, pay for various communal amenities, depending on the community, such as tennis courts, golf courses, clubhouses, or pools. These are the facilities that make the community an active adult community.

What are the pros and cons of active adult communities?

Here are the pros:

• the exteriors are low or no-maintenance – this is a selling point for adults who want to have an active lifestyle, after the age of 55; after years of taking care of the yard, raking, painting, and snow-blowing, many residents appreciate this type of service; what's more, many senior residents want to downsize, and smaller units are becoming more attractive and easier to maintain;

• making friends with other like-minded people – you are moving to a new place, with new neighbors and an already existing community – and this is a great place to build new friendships; you'll find people with whom you have a lot in common and can enjoy wonderful activities together;

• the environment is quiet and mostly child-free – although children and grandchildren are welcome to visit 55 plus communities in Douglasville, the communities are quiet, nice, and relaxing places to live; usually, the communities are quiet and provide a relaxing atmosphere;
• amenities – active adult communities come with amazing opportunities to socialize, exercise, and stay active into your older years; there are plenty of social events, clubs, volunteer groups, trips, and other ways to keep active;

• lower property taxes – property taxes tend to be lower in active adult communities, especially in larger ones; the reason is simple – there are fewer children and less money needed to support schools, after-school programs, and other government services; senior residents require less public services, reducing costs for the entire community, thus reducing property taxes;

• good locations – usually, active adult communities are located in attractive areas; many communities are located in sunny, warm areas, known as the Sun Belt; many residents from colder areas are looking for warmer areas and find active adult communities very attractive;

And here are the cons of adult active communities:

• there's a lack of age diversity – while this can definitely be an advantage for some residents, not everyone perceives it as a positive aspect; not everyone likes to live in a community where every person has a similar age and may want more diversity; some residents may feel anxious or depressed because of this;

• HOA fees – many residents are quite happy with HOA fees – after all, someone has to pay for the landscaping and other services; however, problems can arise if there is a major expense and the HOA doesn't have the funds to cover the cost; these problems can lead to pricey bills or increases in dues that some homeowners may not be prepared to pay for; to avoid this, pay attention to the services provided and the costs associated with them;

• younger family members cannot take advantage of your real estate – many senior residents use their property for just a few months per year; they are the so-called snowbirds or people who want to spend the winter in a warmer area of the country; unfortunately, in this case, younger family members cannot use the property without a senior present; keep in mind that age-restricted communities will not allow younger people as residents, even if it's an only temporary situation;

• smaller homes – although 55 communities in Douglasville feature various types of homes, many are quite small; some residents may find this type of living as uncomfortable, especially in the long run; sure, there is an obvious advantage when it comes to home maintenance, but space may feel too tight when welcoming guests or during special occasions; make sure you visit the active adult community and see what types of home you can choose – you will definitely find something ideal for you;

• there are no care services included – 55 communities in Douglasville don't provide specialist healthcare services or assisted living services; these services are not included as part of the HOA fees, and usually, there aren't any healthcare facilities on-site, like hospitals or day-care centers; of course, residents can opt for in-home care, if needed, but it will come at an additional cost; these services should be contracted via third-party home care service providers;