At the time in our lives when we are looking to slow down the work and pump up the fun, one of the best places to go is your neighborhood Clubhouse. Today’s communities targeting active adults are complete with social spaces and active places designed to provide a variety of opportunities for residents to have fun. With so much to choose from, how do we know which community will provide the lifestyle that’s just the right fit?
Almost all age-qualified neighborhoods offer a recreational amenity of some type. They may range from a single clubhouse to facilities on a grand scale. In either situation, a resident may choose their own level of involvement in the community. For those who enjoy social interaction, choose a community with a clubhouse with gathering spaces that have a variety of uses. A large banquet room is most useful if it can be subdivided into smaller areas for use as a craft room, card room, movie room or club meetings, for example. Moveable and storable furniture also adds to the flexibility of these areas. Other rooms for more relaxed activities might include a computer room, a game/billiard room or a library. Book clubs are very popular activities and a comfortable area in which to discuss the latest best seller enhances the experience and the interaction.
For those who prefer more active pursuits, the choice is substantial. Indoor and outdoor pools are popular (especially with visiting grandchildren.) Aerobics, yoga and other activities that are fun to engage in with a group need their own separate room, apart from stationary weight training equipment. These activities can also take place in the gathering room if the clubhouse is of limited size. Most communities also have a network of walking trails that may include internal sidewalks. This is perhaps the most popular activity because it combines exercise and social interaction. One can enjoy the physical benefits of the walking and carry on a conversation at the same time!
Living in an active adult community does not require total integration into the local social scene, however. Many residents are still employed and have made the move from their former home in order to take advantage of the easier living available in today’s new home styles. With the variety of amenities available, one can choose one’s own level of involvement.
One of the best ways to become involved is to join a club or a committee. Many communities have an independent Activities Coordinator who assists residents in arranging on-site as well as off-site activities, and some neighborhoods may even publish a newsletter to announce upcoming events. These can range from bringing in a guest speaker to discuss financial planning to taking a trip to New York City to see the taping of a television show. Clubs and committees provide residents with the chance to customize activities, as well as meet new people with shared interests along the way.
The purpose of the amenities in today’s active adult communities is to provide opportunities for residents to have fun. And isn’t that a great goal at this stage of our lives?
