How to Know What Type of Community is Best for You

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 because it gives them a sense of belonging and being part of something. A community provides standards for design and development, and standards for what people are allowed to do within the community. It’s not about the community being “gated” as much as it is about the fact that they are “planned”. It gives people a sense of assurance that their investment will be protected and maintained. Whether there’s a gate and guard house at 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 wide open spaces that would otherwise be inaccessible to them.

Today, there are many different types and styles of “communities” all of which have different levels of amenities. We are hearing the term “Active Adult Community” a lot. Residents of Active Adult Communities are usually engaged in one of the many community related activities, although the formal definition refers to an age-restricted community that typically requires one resident to be age 55 or better and restricts anyone under age 19 from being a permanent resident, and makes no reference to “activity.” I like to call them Active Lifestyle Communities because, for the most part, the focus today seems to be more on lifestyle and amenities, rather than age. Many people in these communities are employed in some manner, either outside the 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 a fitness club, social clubs, organized classes, a swimming pool, tennis courts, walking and hiking trails, bike paths, nature preserves, and a constantly changing array of activities. Many communities relieve the residents from maintaining their property, so they are free to do the things they never got to before. You can feel like you’re living in a resort or country club based on the extent of the amenities, personal service and variety of activities provided.

Some people are investing in “Private Residence Clubs” which provide the financial advantages of deeded real estate ownership (“fractional ownership”), but give them flexibility as to the amount of time they spend there, without all the added responsibilities of owning a second home. The price varies based on the type of residence you buy a share in, and the number of weeks you want in your plan. “Destination Clubs” are also becoming popular. You don’t own any of the real estate, but you can stay at any of the properties in the Club’s portfolio of multiple locations. You pay a membership fee (usually quite high) and yearly dues to have access 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 popular resort destinations. They provide the same personal service and lavish amenities you would expect to find at a five-star resort or exclusive country club. They usually have a spa, gourmet restaurants and upscale retail shops.

There’s also a type of development called “New Urbanism” that has become popular with some community developers. 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 Main Street with shops, restaurants and a mix of commercial development; contain a Village Square or Green in which residents can gather; de-emphasize the need to use a car; and leave a portion of the site undeveloped so residents can enjoy common “green space” together.

In contrast to New Urbanism there’s another style of development that people are embracing, called “New Ruralism”. It is characterized by undisturbed open spaces shared by everyone, large home sites, and a more private feeling. New Urbanism fosters planned community connections whereas New Ruralism fosters a connection with nature, more privacy, and community involvement only as desired. Houses are separated by 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 in which residents have their own private townhomes or condos but share a “common house”. The people who live in such a community are interested in creating a close-knit community where people are committed to helping each other. The residents actively participate in the design and operation of the community, and work together to maintain the common areas. The physical layout of the streets, buildings and common areas encourage interaction among the residents, and a sense of community. The common facilities are an integral 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 no better way to find out more about the communities you’re considering, than taking a trip to visit them. Many of them offer “discounted” weekend packages, so you can visit the community and get a first hand feel for it, without going broke. If you need a short term rental, you can try www.HomeAway.com. Also, many communities provide a video or DVD of their community, so you can get a feel for them without ever leaving home.

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

Visit www.PlacesOfValue.com for more articles on best places in North Carolina and South Carolina, relocation made easy, top retirement communities, cost of living, and designing and building your Dream Home.

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I've spent over 30 years finding the best real estate locations for major corporations. These companies have made hundreds of millions of dollars based on the locations I've selected. I'm a professional real estate site locator and location analyst. During the last 5 years, I've been researching the growth of towns in North and South Carolina, for the relocation of my family.

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