As you explore senior living options either for yourself or a loved one, knowing the difference between an Active Adult Community and an Independent Adult Community is very important.

An active adult community is not much different than any other residential community, aside from its age requirements. Most are designed with a retirement-friendly, low-maintenance lifestyle in mind and can be comprised of single-family houses, condos or townhomes, with units that are owned by the resident as opposed to a rental community.

An independent living community, on the other hand, offers a variety of services and amenities designed to support older adults such as housekeeping, security, meals, educational and entertainment programming, transportation, and access to personal care and health care services should an individual’s needs change.

Flori de Leon – Downtown St. Petersburg, FL – Active 55+ Community

This is one of St. Petersburg’s finest 55+ communities. On the Historic Register, the Flori is Mediterranean Revival in style and boasts seventy-six apartments to include two inside penthouses and two external ones. Its holds the distinction of being the first co-operative on the West Coast of Florida and, even after all these years, the Flori still remains a co-operative today.

Pros of Active 55+ Community Living

Low or no-maintenance exteriors.
This is one of the top selling point for individuals who choose an active adult community. After years of mowing, snow-blowing, raking, and painting, the prospect of no more outdoor maintenance is very appealing.

Downsizing made easy.
Many people choose to downsize from the home they raised their family in. The smaller interior square-footage of most 55+ community properties allows you to scale back.

Opportunities to make new friends.
When you move someplace new, there is something to be said for having a conveniently located group of potential friends. In active adult communities, residents are all pretty much in the same place in life, having worked hard for many years, raised a family, and now looking to enjoy a relaxed retirement. It’s an easy to find people with whom you have much in common and wonderful friendships can result.

Child-free environment.
While adult children and grandchildren are welcome to visit, the 55+ age requirement for residents means that active adult communities are usually nice, quiet places to live.

Amenities.
An active adult community will provide you with many opportunities to get exercise and socialize, two important factors to staying healthy emotionally, mentally and physically. Community residents will often organize social events, volunteer groups, and other ways to stay active and involved.

According to Estelia Mesimer, some of the most popular properties these days are for people 55 and older.

Just as “Baby Boomers” changed music, business, pop culture, politics and nearly everything else, they are now transforming the idea of older group living. Unlike a previous generation of 55-plus Americans, active baby boomers do not show a great desire to settle into rocking chairs.

Realtor Help When Buying a 55+ Property

If you are considering buying a home or a condo in a 55+ community, there’s a lot you should know. Buying what may be your last home is significantly different than buying your first, and you will need to account for some factors that are unique to later life and the communities that cater to older buyers. This is where the expertise of a professional realtor is so important.

Let the Mesimer Team guide you as you explore senior living options. Contact Estelia today at Estelia@Estelia.com or call her 727.686.2859. She is a top local real estate partner for buyers and sellers of residential properties for over 20 years.

Related Links
So Alive After 55: Your Guide To The Finer Points Of Active Adult Living, by Theresa Fowler Webb
Your Senior Housing Options, by Diane Twohy Masso
What to Know About 55-Plus Communities