Active Adults 55+

Atlanta Offers Great Climate and Lifestyle

(Know Atlanta Magazine-Fall 2007 edition)

Atlanta's true Southern hospitality isn't the only reason the city has begun to attract more active adults. Atlanta and many of its surrounding communities frequently make top 10 lists ??? for most livable city, most affordable, best housing values and best climate. Coupled with the area's central location that's served by the world's busiest airport, Atlanta is a grand slam for relocation. It's no wonder that developers of housing for active adults have zeroed in on this remarkable part of the country.

Nationally known builders have brought the active adult lifestyle to the forefront of housing in the metro Atlanta area. Local builders too have committed themselves to reaching the ever growing population of baby boomers.

Atlanta is a major hub and people of all ages are coming here. Many active adults purchasing homes here are very interested in traveling and staying active. They don't want to be stuck with lawn care or other responsibilities. As a result, builders and developers are creating and offering floor plans that respond to their needs.

The excellent climate, good transportation system, abundance of national and signature restaurants, and Atlanta's many world class entertainment options make Atlanta a big draw.

The Numbers Don't Lie

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Georgia has the fastest-growing active adult population by percentage (43 percent) of any state east of Colorado. As this group of existing Georgia residents begins to downsize and shift housing choices, research conducted on behalf of Pulte Homes indicates that most will prefer to live in the region where they have established themselves.

Georgians are being joined by "half-backs", people who moved to Georgia from the northern United States first to Florida and those empty nesters who follow their children and grandchildren. It's no wonder that the residential lifestyle choices for this generation are expanding in Atlanta.

The baby boomers face retirement by blowing out the images of rocking chairs and low-key living. Today's active adults are aging with attitude and shattering the stereotypes of a quiet, knitting-on-the-front-porch retirement. Developers are responding and creating lifestyle destination communities where world-class amenities will serve as the high-light of the developments.

Easy Living Homes

Many builders targeting the baby boomers have embraced the "EasyLiving" concept of building, offering home designs with zero entry thresholds, 3-foot wide interior doors and varying height countertops. These features may not seem important to homeowners in their mid-50s, but their homes are much easier to retrofit for livability as they age when builders build in those amenities from the start. Even if a homeowner isn't ready for a handicapped railing in the bathroom or a zero entry shower, the home is being built with this in mind for easy transition at the appropriate time. The goal is to help people find the home they'll enjoy for the rest of their lives, one that can easily be modified if and when necessary.

The Easy Living Home program is a certification program designed to encourage builders of single family homes and town homes to incorporate several features that increase the sellers' market and offer buyers a home easy for all to live in and visit. Homes typically have at least one full bath on the main floor with ample maneuvering space , a bedroom on the main floor, extra wide interior doors, stepless entrances and other features that help owners age in place.

The program began with its first home in 2002. Overseen by a coalition of Georgia citizens, including AARP of Georgia, Atlanta Regional Commission, Concrete Change, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities, Home Builders Association of Georgia, and the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, the Easy Living concept is growing as builders and developers discover that more baby boomers are deciding to move to Atlanta to retire or to spend the rest of their lives here to be near other family.

Many people come here because their children's jobs are here in Atlanta and they want to be near their grandchildren. Family ties are stronger than friendships back home, but people are quick to discover that Atlantan's ---natives and transplants ----are naturally very hospitable and friendly.

Please call me with any questions you may have or if you are considering a move to the greater Atlanta metro area. There are many more active adult communities available with a plethora of amenity packages available too. I look forward to helping you find the "perfect" home when the time is right for you.