Top Searched Retirement Communities on AOL Search:
1. The Villages -- FL
2. The Peninsula -- AL
3. Hyde Park -- FL
4. Iron Horse -- FL
5. Bear Creek -- FL
6. Sun City Grand -- AZ
7. Seabrook -- NJ
8. St. James Plantation -- NC
9. SummerGlen -- FL
10. Rio Verde -- AZ
As the baby boomers begin to retire, retirement communities are becoming increasingly popular. Most of these communities offer luxury villas, golf courses, recreation and the lifestyle of your dreams.
Different from retirement homes, communities are specially designed for people who no longer work, but are not necessary needy of constant medical attention. The retirement communities provide extensive amenities to fill your days with 24-hour fitness centers, golf, swimming, pilates, arts and crafts, or anything else you desire. Many are built in warm climates and around big cities with lots to do, like Phoenix retirement communities.
So what are some of the best retirement locations?
Not surprisingly, Florida retirement communities are the most popular. Some of the top searched communities in Florida include The Villages, Hyde Park, and Iron Horse. Arizona is the second most popular state to retire to with spectacular communities such as Sun City Grand and Rio Verde. The spa at the Sun City Grand (No. 6) is so luxurious that even non-residents come to relax for the day.
If you are aiming to retire in one of these wonderful communities, it would be wise to visit a retirement planner to make sure you are building your retirement savings wisely. While we all can't retire wealthy, we can still retire smart.
Do you know of any great retirement communities that did not make our list? If so, please tell us about them. Are you looking for a place to retire? Try searching for retirement communities on AOL Search or check out AOL Real Estate.
Also Try: retirement savings, retire wealthy, retirement planner
COMMENTS
I am tired of hearing about the wonders of Acai berries for weight loss. I tried it and it resulted in severe stomach cramps and diarrhea. I tried it 3 times thinking it might have been something else that upset me, and each time the cramps were worse. Now it seems every weight loss product contains this ingredient. Sending this as a warning.
By Jean Pelletier on May 23rd 2009 at 11:54AM
My husband and I recently sold our part-time house in The Villages that we owned for nine years. That was enough for us. I felt like a Stepford wife. We moved back north full time to live in reality. For a real understanding of The Villages, read a book by Andrew Blechman called "Leisureville." It's totally true and is a real eye opener.
By Lucy on May 23rd 2009 at 11:58AM
I was glad to hear that central Florida hit your list of nice places to retire. Has anyone ever checked out the central west coast of Florida, up above Tampa, out of the traffic? If you are looking for beautiful sunrises and wonderous sunsets, then research the Ozello area of Citrus County. We live here as retirees and the living is quiet, no tourist attractions, lots of fishing, very few speed boats but it is paradise for kayaks! If anyone out there wants to know more, then contact ozellokeys@aol.com or look up ozello.net for some really nice photos, and then come for a visit and enjoy the nature with us!
By Betty on May 23rd 2009 at 12:13PM
RE; The Villages, I remember when The Villages was called Orange Blossom Gardens and only existed on the East side of US 441, there wasn't a golf cart crossing from OBG to the shopping plaza's since they weren't there. Now the Villages stretches from Lake County into Marion and Sumpter Cointies 3-4 golf courses, churches, restaurants. Their groth has been consistent and impressive. I don't live there and I do hope it's all still under some control for all to enjoy.
By Tom on May 23rd 2009 at 12:31PM
i live in kings point in delray bch. moved here 5 years ago from new york and just love it! weather is just beautiful and we have it all. golf, pools, gym, shows and numerous clubs to belong to if you so choose. beach just 7 miles away, and so.beach 1 hr away. best resturants and beautiful shopping. very reasonable condos too.
By kings373 on May 23rd 2009 at 12:28PM
New Jersey? LOL! Sure if you are a braindead fool or radical liberal that does not care about your constitutional rights. By all means, move to that crap hole.
By The Man on May 23rd 2009 at 1:17PM
I visted the Villages last year. Very pretty. Very friendly. Endless number of activities and conveniences. The whole thing is run by one family and their appointees. The structure of their governing body gives me pause. homeowners have little say in the government and operations. Still learning about the assessments and owner obligations for the many recreation centers, etc. Still, its an impressive development.
By vsg on May 24th 2009 at 2:22PM
I am shocked that On Top of the World Communities in Ocala, Florida is not on this list of retirement communities. If this topic is of interest to you, I would visit their site at www.ontopoftheworld.com. The activities and amenities are top notch and the homes are beautiful and well built. Great location too!
By Robert Habernackey on May 26th 2009 at 8:46AM
How was the top ten list of communities at the beginning of the article compiled? I clicked on the "Florida retirement communities" link in the article and only one of the communities on your list came up. Just curious. My wife and I are beginning to research these types of communities, and we want to find the best!
By Cecil L. on May 27th 2009 at 11:16AM
Glad to see that SummerGlen made the top ten list of retirement searches. It's a smaller community with a friendly laid back atmosphere, and it's truly one of the best in Central Florida. Great amenities, very affordable homes with outstanding quality from a builder who has had an excellent reputation for more than 30 years, and an excellent location in a quiet country setting but just ten minutes from shopping. Check it out if you're looking for a Florida retirement home.
By dsrenshaw2 on May 27th 2009 at 8:43AM
We retired to Lake Havasu City, AZ some 10+ years ago and have loved it. If you get bored with the golf, boating, hiking, etc., it's within driving distance to many great places like Vegas, San Diego, Mexico, and so on...
Houses range from those you saw on "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous to a very managable estate.
Try it, you'll llike it! NO BUGS!
By Mike M on May 29th 2009 at 6:35PM
THIS IS A STUPID SURVEY..THERE ARE TONS OF PLACES TO RETIRE IN THE US..NEW HAMPSHIRE IS PRETTY TOO DANG IT! WHAT MAKES A PLACE # 1 IS WHAT IS IN YOUR HEART ..
By dixie on May 28th 2009 at 9:52PM
don't even think about hawaii brudder .... too crowded already, yah?
By jack on May 28th 2009 at 11:53PM
if you be dummycrap, hawaii is filled with these morons... feel right at home while they pick your pocket....
By jack on May 28th 2009 at 11:55PM
nj... a nice place to be from
By jack on May 28th 2009 at 11:56PM
Sun City Grand is a nice place to retire because the weather is always nice here in Arizona. It's also never really busy and there's many Spring Training stadiums around. It would be about a 15 minute drive to Phoenix if you ever needed to go there. Sun City Grand also has every food place you can think of. It has almost anything you would want. I think anyone would love it. And for all those gamblers out there, it's only about a 3 ad a half hour drive to Laughlin and about a 4 and a half hour drive to Vegas!
By DerekJetersG on May 29th 2009 at 12:46AM
I can understand the mention of NJ because of the Garden States landscape areas. But, the winter months are brutal. This is why I was thrilled when I found a house in Land O Lakes, FL. In a seasoned community called Lake Padgett Estates. This Lake community is far enough away from Tampa Bay, but not too far for travels to the beaches. Taxes are low than the surounding counties. When the seasons change you smell it in the air and witness the changing of the leaves. Right now you can get lakefront for around $399,999. www.skilakehome.com
By RealEstateFL813 on May 29th 2009 at 4:30AM
Most people that move to Florida didn't have parents who moved there when they retired. You live far from your children and when you get too old and sick to move back to your family you become quite isolated. The burden on children becomes tremendous as every time you have a medical emergency they have to leave work and family obligations and run to Florida. It may seem nice in the short term but long term it's not such a good decision.
By Es on May 29th 2009 at 5:54AM
I got out of NJ as soon as I retired and moved to Las Vegas. That's the place to be. The weather is beautiful..over 320 days of sunshine per year. It is really only hot in July and August. There is no state income tax and property taxes and insurance is low. There are no bugs and no humidity. There is something to do for everyone. There is free entertainment everyday and night. I saw 50 shows last year...30 of them for free. Its beautiful here, we are surrounded by mountains.
By caroline on May 29th 2009 at 6:13AM
I was born and raised in Central N.J. It is a beautiful state. You have farm land,Beaches,Forest's.
It is a shame you cannot retire there. I love Jersey, never thought I would leave. But I have. When you compare taxes $6000.00 in N.J. for a 1700 sq ft. house to 3500 sg ft. house in S.C. for $1800.00. The choice is clear. You can buy a 1700 sg ft. home here and pay $400.00 a year in taxes. The Carolina's has been renamed "New Carolina" because every one from N.Y. & N.J. are moving here. Jersey Girl.
By Clara on May 29th 2009 at 9:11AM