Finding the Best Community For You and Your Family
A “community” today is much more than a group of houses in the same neighborhood or geographic area.It’s much more than just a “subdivision”. People are flocking to “communities” all over the country becauseit gives them a sense of belonging and being part of something. A community provides standards for designand development, and standards for what people are allowed to do within the community. It’s not about thecommunity being “gated” as much as it is about the fact that they are “planned”. It gives people a sense ofassurance that their investment will be protected and maintained. Whether there’s a gate and guard houseat the entrance or not, people feel safer living in a community of like minded people with similar interests.In many communities, hundreds of acres are being left undeveloped, so people can afford to enjoy wideopen spaces that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Today, there are many different types and styles of “communities” all of which have different levels ofamenities. We are hearing the term “Active Adult Community” a lot. Residents of Active Adult Communitiesare usually engaged in one of the many community related activities, although the formal definition refers toan age-restricted community that typically requires one resident to be age 55 or better and restricts anyoneunder age 19 from being a permanent resident, and makes no reference to “activity.” I like to call themActive Lifestyle Communities because, for the most part, the focus today seems to be more on lifestyle andamenities, rather than age. Many people in these communities are employed in some manner, either outsidethe community or in their own business. Some communities are centered around boating, golf, horses,fitness or some other outdoor activity. They have a certain “style” to them. Communities might have afitness club, social clubs, organized classes, a swimming pool, tennis courts, walking and hiking trails, bikepaths, nature preserves, and a constantly changing array of activities. Many communities relieve theresidents from maintaining their property, so they are free to do the things they never got to before. Youcan feel like you’re living in a resort or country club based on the extent of the amenities, personal serviceand variety of activities provided.

Some people are investing in “Private Residence Clubs” which provide the financial advantages of deededreal estate ownership (“fractional ownership”), but give them flexibility as to the amount of time they spendthere, without all the added responsibilities of owning a second home. The price varies based on the type ofresidence you buy a share in, and the number of weeks you want in your plan. “Destination Clubs” are alsobecoming popular. You don’t own any of the real estate, but you can stay at any of the properties in theClub’s portfolio of multiple locations. You pay a membership fee (usually quite high) and yearly dues to haveaccess to some of the most incredible houses throughout the world. Destination Clubs are a form of high-end resort travel. Both types of clubs provide housing that’s high-end, well furnished and located at popularresort destinations. They provide the same personal service and lavish amenities you would expect to find ata five-star resort or exclusive country club. They usually have a spa, gourmet restaurants and upscale retailshops.

There’s also a type of development called “New Urbanism” that has become popular with some communitydevelopers. Communities designed in this fashion tightly cluster a wide variety of different types of homes,to foster interaction; have residents of different ages and economic backgrounds; feature a walkable MainStreet with shops, restaurants and a mix of commercial development; contain a Village Square or Green inwhich residents can gather; de-emphasize the need to use a car; and leave a portion of the siteundeveloped so residents can enjoy common “green space” together.

In contrast to New Urbanism there’s another style of development that people are embracing, called “NewRuralism”. It is characterized by undisturbed open spaces shared by everyone, large home sites, and a moreprivate feeling. New Urbanism fosters planned community connections whereas New Ruralism fosters aconnection with nature, more privacy, and community involvement only as desired. Houses are separatedby nature preserves, natural features, and agricultural land.

Co-housing is another interesting new type of community, but it shouldn’t surprise you that it’s becoming popular with the same generation that gave us the commune. This is a concept borrowed from Denmark inwhich residents have their own private townhomes or condos but share a “common house”. The people wholive in such a community are interested in creating a close-knit community where people are committed tohelping each other. The residents actively participate in the design and operation of the community, andwork together to maintain the common areas. The physical layout of the streets, buildings and commonareas encourage interaction among the residents, and a sense of community. The common facilities are anintegral part of the community and usually contain a common kitchen for optional group meals, lounge,recreational facilities, children’s space, craft room, meditation room and workshops.

All in all, it’s a matter of the “lifestyle” and a “way-of-life” that’s important to you! Of course, there’s nobetter way to find out more about the communities you’re considering, than taking a trip to visit them. Manyof them offer “discounted” weekend packages, so you can visit the community and get a first hand feel forit, without going broke. If you need a short term rental, you can try www.HomeAway.com. Also, manycommunities provide a video or DVD of their community, so you can get a feel for them without ever leavinghome.

After all, it’s your Dream Home we’re talking about!