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Finding the top-rated retirement communities in America hinges on several factors, including amenities, access to shopping and entertainment areas, cost of living, and suitability of housing. If you’re interested in senior living at a faster pace, here are 10 communities to consider, based on Newsweek’s 2024 Continuing Care Retirement Communities list.
Key Takeaways
- Retirement communities can offer a wide range of amenities for active older adults, including recreation, on-site dining, and travel.
- The cost of living in a retirement community can vary greatly, depending on its location and what’s being offered to residents.
- When comparing retirement communities for active older adults, it’s helpful to compare the monthly or annual costs to what you might pay to age in place in your current home.
1. HumanGood Valle Verde, Santa Barbara, CA
HumanGood Valle Verde has been operating since 1966 in Santa Barbara, California. The community consists of single-story garden homes on 65 acres of land. Residents enjoy a variety of on-site amenities that promote an active lifestyle and give them all the conveniences of a small town.
Entry fee pricing ranges from $172,884 for one-bedroom, single-story garden homes to $319,776 for two-bedroom houses. Monthly maintenance is from $3,828 per month to $6,336 per month.
Some of the things included with the monthly fee include a restaurant-style dining room and poolside grill, a fitness center, a day spa and salon, a swimming pool, a fully equipped woodshop and art room, housekeeping and linen service, concierge assistance and scheduled transportation, and other services.
Santa Barbara’s California coastline, food and wine scene, and arts and culture make it a popular spot for older Americans, with 23.3% of the population being 65 or older.
2. Edgemere, Dallas, TX
Edgemere is a rental senior living community in Dallas, Texas, with a Tuscan-inspired design. You can choose from one- to three-bedroom units, with several different types of layouts available.
Edgemere’s independent living monthly fees start at $5,400, with a second-person fee of $1,950, which is pricey, but there is a much lower entry fee than some other senior communities charge (though exact numbers are not disclosed).
Monthly fees cover a host of amenities and activities from a greenhouse and herb garden; a fitness center; social events, outings, and happy hours; an indoor pool; putting greens and golf simulator; and a full-service salon and spa.
Note
You’ll also enjoy weekly housekeeping and flat linen laundry services, fine dining, casual dining, and a bar on site.
Edgemere residents are also minutes away from medical centers and shopping and have scheduled transportation from the community. Though Dallas’ population runs younger (a median age of 33.5), the mild climate and the fact that there is no income tax in the state can be a draw for seniors.
3. Willow Valley Communities, Willow Street, PA
Willow Valley Communities is a 210-acre suburban campus in Lancaster, PA with residence options that appeal to different needs and budgets. It has a resort feel, offering lots of clubs and activities and outdoor exploration. Enjoying outdoor activity is easy with its miles of walking paths, stocked fishing ponds, and two dog parks—yes, it’s pet-friendly, too.
There are currently about 2,600 residents living in the community’s apartment buildings, villas, and townhomes. Amenities include 12 dining venues, an aquatic center, a day spa, and a bowling alley. There are also pharmacies, banks, and salons on the property.
As far as cost, there is a wide range. Studios start at around $100,000, while two-story townhomes go for over $727,000. Monthly fees range from $2,443 to $6,752 depending on property choice.
Just over 38% of the population of Willow Street, PA is 65 and over, so retirees will be in good company there.
4. Lifespace Communities, Friendship Village of Bloomington, Bloomington, MN
Lifespace Communities, Inc. has been around since 1992 with communities in the Midwest, Texas, and Florida. The Bloomington, Minnesota location offers one- and two-bedroom floor plans and a plethora of social activities for residents. Pricing is not disclosed.
Some of the recreation options include 35 different social clubs, 25 fitness classes per week, bingo, cribbage, and mahjong games; a woodworking shop; a 9-hole putting green and golf simulator; an indoor pool, and an art studio.
There are also a few dining options ranging from an upscale venue, a lounge, and a cafe for casual eats.
As for the surrounding area, Bloomington offers many parks and trails, as well as local shopping at farmers markets, museums, and theaters. With 23% of the population 65 years or older, it is a popular area for retirees.
5. Freedom Pointe at The Villages, FL
The Villages is billed as Florida’s friendliest active adult community for adults aged 55 and up. Located in central Florida, it is one of the largest age-restricted retirement communities in the United States, covering 57 square miles. Given its size and the fact that it’s home to over 150,000 residents, living here is like living in a town just for retirees.
There are five types of houses to choose from, plus apartment-style living. Depending on the layout and size you choose, you can find properties with prices starting from the low-$200,000s up to homes over $1 million. A network of market squares provides entertainment, shopping plazas, recreation centers, golf courses, swimming, tennis, and more, and there are more than 3,000 activities and clubs on-site.
The Villages has its own on-site primary care centers and public safety department, which includes EMS/EMT and fire services.
6. The Admiral at the Lake, Chicago, IL
For retirees who want to enjoy city living in the Windy City, The Admiral at the Lake provides luxurious apartments along Lake Michigan. Boasting city skyline and lake views, this independent living community has been around for more than 160 years.
There are 45 different floor plans from which to choose, including one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. Residents have multiple meal plan options ranging from all-inclusive to a la carte. Some on-site amenities include a swimming pool, fitness center, and wellness center, which provides care from Chicago’s top physicians.
Residents get to enjoy a bit of nature, too—its first-floor garden is an official Certified Wildlife Habitat site as per the National Wildlife Federation.
Note
Pricing is higher than some of the other communities on the list with entrance fees starting at $500,000 and ranging up to $1.6 million. Monthly service fees go from $3,800 to $7,500.
7. Moorings Park, Naples, FL
Moorings Park opened in 1977, originally by members of Moorings Presbyterian Church. Today, it has three campuses in Southwest Florida and has an A+ rating by S&P.
The community is 83 acres of land and is broken into six different neighborhoods that offer maintenance-free residential options. You can choose from one-bedroom units to more than 5,000 square feet of living space. Prices start at $552,000.
There is a lot to do at Moorings Park including themed cocktail parties, a yacht club, a pottery studio, putting and chipping greens, tennis courts, and more. For dining, options include Park Grill, Trio Restaurant, and Internet Café. Plus, take-out and in-home meal delivery is always available.
Also unique is its partnership with Florida Gulf Coast University, which offers courses for residents in technology, investing, religion, wood shop classes, painting, jewelry making, and more.
Naples, Florida is a retiree haven, with 54.6% of its population consisting of residents who are 65 years or older. In fact, the median age in the city is 66.9.
8. Landis Homes, Lititz, PA
At Landis Homes, residents have the choice of apartments, cottages, hybrid homes, and suites. The sprawling campus is 114 acres just outside of Lancaster City, including walking paths, woods, ponds, wetlands, and even a nationally registered bluebird walk.
Cottage Homes are available as one or two bedrooms and include patios, garages, and/or sunrooms. Apartment Homes range from studios to two bedrooms. And Hybrid Homes combine cottage and apartment living. Pricing ranges from $58,000 for a studio up to $404,000 for a two-bedroom cottage with a sunroom. Monthly fees range from $1,050 to $2,734.
Residential living fees include utilities, real estate taxes, shopping trips, social activities, and 24-emergency response.
The historic towns of Lititz and Lancaster are nearby. In Lititz, 25.3% of residents are over the age of 65.
9. The Hearthstone, Seattle, WA
Located in Seattle’s historic Green Lake neighborhood, The Hearthstone opened back in the mid-1900s, founded by Lutherans. Unlike the other communities featured, residents must be 62 and older to live at The Hearthstone.
The community is situated well for seniors with active lifestyles as it is close to walking paths and the Woodland Park Zoo. On-site, there are several wellness programs provided, plus a fitness center. Residents can also flex their creative muscles at the art studio, or get pampered at the salon.
Entrance fees range from $195,000 studio to $800,000 two-bedroom while monthly costs go from $2,795 to $7,695.
Though Seattle is a relatively young city (median age of 35.6), retirees like it for its mild climate and excellent healthcare system.
10. Roland Park Place, Baltimore, MD
Roland Park Place is Baltimore City’s first and only accredited Continuing Care Retirement Community. It offers 33 different floor plan options for independent living.
One unique aspect of this community is that residents have the option to choose Type A Life Care (which most communities offer) or a Type C Fee-for-Service contract. With Type A, the entrance fee starts at $245,000. There’s also a Type A 90% refundable contract option that starts at $440,900 with monthly service fees starting at $4,412.
Type C Fee-for-Service contracts start at $163,800 for the traditional declining balance accommodation fees $418,800 for 90% refundable accommodation fees and $3,234 monthly service fees.
Residents can enjoy dining that includes a formal sit-down restaurant, a casual bistro, a coffee shop, and a pub. You can also take advantage of valet service that includes groceries brought into your home. Entertainment-wise, Roland Park brings in musical performers, and guest lecturers and organizes trips. There are also fitness, aquatics, and dance programs to keep you moving.
Just 14.8% of the population of Baltimore is 65 years or older, but retirees who are young at heart will enjoy the city’s museums, cultural attractions, and small-town metropolitan feel.
What Is the Best Age for a Retirement Community?
This is a question that many retirees are facing. The answer depends on your desired lifestyle, plus where you are with your health and finances. Moving into a 55+ community can be a transformative experience, but there can be a big difference in doing it at 55, versus at 75.
Consider what you will be gaining, and what you could be giving up. What is the opportunity cost?
Also, ask yourself: Where would your money be coming from? Are you withdrawing funds—what the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) calls taking distributions—from a 401(k) or a traditional or Roth individual retirement account (IRA)? What about Social Security? Or will it be from a mix of sources? And how far will these funds take you?
How Much Do I Need To Retire at 55?
This can be a bit tricky to answer because one of the traditional guidelines—the 4% rule—was designed to cover 30 years of retirement with a lifestyle that doesn’t change. It might cover more, but it’s not guaranteed. Talk with a financial advisor about how to make sure you don’t outlive your assets.
Is Retiring at 55 Realistic?
For most people, retiring at 55 isn’t realistic. Using the 4% rule and a goal of living on $80,000 per year, you would need to have $2 million saved by age 55 to retire—and those funds would cover you for an estimated 30 years, which may not be enough.
The Bottom Line
For most individuals, retirement comes after decades of hard work. In some cases, this means settling down in a community designed for people of retirement age where living is easy. Other retirees seek a more active lifestyle. Choosing which one is right for you will take time—so give yourself that time. Create a budget, talk with friends and family, and do some soul-searching. This is a big decision.
Methodology
Investopedia sourced its list of 10 active retirement communities in the U.S. from Newsweek’s America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities 2024. Its rankings were based on national online surveys of medical professionals and acquaintances of residents/residents living in CCRCs and accreditation data.