2020 Summer Ideal-Living

Seasons at Chestnut Ridge

Delaware

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Baymont Farms

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Belle Terre

Maryland

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Kent Island

South Carolina

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks

Florida

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Orlando

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Parkland

Arizona

Scottsdale Heights

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Ventana Lakes

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Victory at Verrado

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Wickenburg Ranch

California

K. Hovnanian’s® Four Seasons at Terra Lago

*K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons communities are intended to provide housing primarily for residents 55 years of age or older. Additional restrictions, including limitations on the ages of additional permanent and temporary residents of a home, may apply. All K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons communities shall be operated as age-restricted communities in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws. Limited exceptions for residents 50 years of age or older may apply. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required or if void by law. See a Sales Consultant or khov.com for full details. Equal Housing Opportunity. Travel expenses limited to round-trip air or rail travel, car rental, and lodging (all documented with receipts) for Buyer(s), to be credited toward incentives of options, upgrades and/or closing costs at the time of selection, up to a maximum of $2,000.00 USD for U.S. travel provided that an agreement of sale is executed within ninety (90) days of first Fly & Buy appointment. Buyer(s) must register for Fly & Buy program in advance of Fly & Buy appointment to qualify and must have a registration on-file at the onsite sales center. Travel expenses may affect maximum financing. Except in California, credit toward options, upgrades and closing costs is limited to travel expenses specifically related to the Fly & Buy appointment and cannot be applied toward other (prior or subsequent) visits to the community. This offer

3Ways To Call Brunswick Forest Home.

Move In Today

Nestled beside the historic port city of Wilmington, NC, Brunswick Forest has been nationally recognized for its exceptional land plan, outstanding selection of lovely homes and an abundance of luxurious amenities. Residents enjoy an enviable Coastal By Nature® lifestyle, surrounded by scenic marshes, winding creeks and stunning ocean beaches.

to the fullest LIVE FLORIDA

Lakewood Ranch offers a lifestyle unlike any other in Florida. An incredible variety of homes and villages are all within minutes of our 150-mile trail network, six parks, three town centers, a sports campus, Sarasota Polo Club, a farmers’ market, arts & entertainment and 365 days worth of activities. And just beyond our backyard, you’ll find the whitesand beaches of Sarasota and all the excitement of Tampa. Welcome to The Ranch. We can’t wait to show you around.

© 2020 Lakewood Ranch

19+ UNIQUE VILLAGES TO CHOOSE FROM IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA | HOMES FROM THE $200S TO OVER $ 1 MILLION.

The Best-Selling Community in the U.S. for All Ages .com

A Tailored Lifestyle

Just south of Savannah, this surprising low country community offers luxury homes surrounded by a protected natural landscape. Here, your family can escape from the noise of the world in a place where spontaneous get togethers, outdoor activities, and the influence of water create a new rhythm to life.

Homesites from the 60s to the low-100s. Homes from the 300s to the 600s. Townhomes from the low-200s.

WATERWAYS MARINA IS COMING SOON!

Intracoastal Access, Dining, Marsh Front Pool and Fitness

Over Five Miles of Lagoons | Kayaking, Canoeing, Paddle Boarding

Championship Fishing | Pool | Fitness Center | Walking and Biking Trails

Community Garden | Parks & Greenspaces | Events Lawn | Dog Park

Full Calendar of Lifestyle Events

WATERWAYS MARINA IS COMING SOON! Intracoastal Access, Dining, Marsh Front Pool and Fitness

912.445.0299 |

HILL, GA 31324

Cottage Homes from the low 300’s Waterview Homes from the 400’s Estate Homes from the 500’s

•

Summer Specials

Near Pinehurst and nestled in a natural paradise, McLendon Hills has been the location for affluent country living for over 20 years. Where lake and equestrian community living is at its best. This rare community offers its residents an environment and collection of amenities truly unsurpassed anywhere in North Carolina.

2019

Call today to schedule a tour.

SUMMER 2020 VOLUME 22, NUMBER THREE

PUBLISHER

RPI Media, LLC.

PRESIDENT

Michael Hackeling

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kelly Godbey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sam Crawford, Jan Cullinane, Kelly Godbey, Warren Grant, Emily Hackeling, Lawrence Tundidor

Fanny Slater, Stephen Swart, JG Walker

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Kelly Godbey, Amber Whittington

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Laurie Kent

DATABASE MANAGER

David Heck

IDEAL-LIVING.COM

David Heck, Will Weinel

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Gina Burwell

ADVERTISING SALES

NC, Myrtle Beach, SC, TN, DE,VA,WV, PA, NJ: Daniel Keir | dkeir@ideal-living.com

SC, GA, FL: Fred Warren | fwarren@ideal-living.com

Western U.S. & International: Dana Leyva | dana@ideal-living.com

Sales Coordinator: Laurie Kent

(800) 736-0321

www.rpimedia.com

The real estate projects and services advertised in this magazine constitute advertisements of the owners or their agents. RPI Media, LLC.® makes no representations or warranties concerning such advertisements. Interested parties should direct their inquiries to the appropriate parties listed for information concerning any of these advertisements. The advertisements contained construed as an offer to residents of the states of New York or New Jersey, or where otherwise prohibited by law. Questions on the availability of offers should be directed to the advertiser. Publisher’s notice: All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation, or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal Agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property.

ENJOY THE WARM SUNSHINE YEAR ROUND!

Minto Communities USA, based in Florida since 1978, has represented integrity, financial strength and enduring value to homeowners for more than 40 years. In premier locations throughout the Southeast, Minto master-planned communities feature award-winning homes and worldclass recreational amenities designed to provide relaxed, enriched and rewarding lifestyles.

Now introducing Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach, FL and Hilton Head, SC, and One Particular Harbour in Bradenton/Sarasota, FL –communities inspired by the laid-back Margaritaville lifestyle. Wherever life’s journey takes you, an innovative Minto community is ready to welcome you home.

New homes from the low $200s to over $1.5 million (844) 433-3135 | MintoUSA.com

Premier Locations

BRADENTON / SARASOTA, FL One Particular Harbour Margaritaville

NAPLES, FL

The Isles of Collier Preserve

TwinEagles - Limited Homes Remain!

PALM BEACH / FT. LAUDERDALE, FL

Westlake

Artesia - Limited Homes Remain!

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL

LakePark at Tradition

Latitude CommunitiesMargaritaville

DAYTONA BEACH, FL

Latitude Margaritaville

HILTON HEAD, SC

Latitude Margaritaville

WATERSOUND, FL

Latitude Margaritaville - Opening 2021

A Different Kind of Summer

Summer is my favorite time of year. I love the long days, and to be honest, I even get a twinge of sadness on the longest day of the year as I know that each day after will have fewer moments of sunlight. My summer days begin with a sunrise paddle in the ocean and end with an evening cool-down dip. My fondest memories of summer consist of spending time with family and friends.

However, this is a different summer, indeed. The country and the world are beginning to reopen to an unchartered new normal. The coronavirus pandemic has changed the face of our nation. Life has just been made even more difficult for the vulnerable population and older Americans. Many lives have been lost and should be remembered. Each one of us has been through unimaginable times with stay-at-home orders and new social distancing norms. Many of our readers come from areas that have borne an undue burden with high infection and death tolls, and to those people, we are sorry for your loss.

At ideal-LIVING, it has been our goal for over 30 years to help people find their ideal place. This goal is even more paramount in today's world. We believe that everyone deserves to live their ideal life, and we encourage you to find yours even sooner than you may have planned. And, as such, our summer issue focuses on ways that you can live your

by Kelly Godbey kellyg@ideal-LIVING.com

best life and find that life within the "Best of the Best" in planned communities on page 54. We'll tell you stories of how retirees have weathered these tumultuous times in a much easier way on page 102. You'll find that for the people who had already retired to planned communities, they have been able to continue to enjoy their lives during stay-at-home orders that include lots of outdoor activities and social distancing. It's a lot easier to be social but separate when you live in a community that encourages an active lifestyle.

At Ideal-LIVING, we surveyed our readers to see if anything had changed as a result of the pandemic. Approximately 60% of the respondents indicated that their timeframe to relocate had changed and that they were not quite sure when they would be able to visit communities to make their decisions. When asked for ways we could further assist their search for the perfect location, they indicated that virtual real estate shows would be beneficial. So, we are responding with two virtual shows in September to meet that need (page 36).

Please share your stories with us, and we will continue to share stories of people who have found their ideal life, even during this unprecedented time. Stay safe and healthy. And, find your ideal destination, life, and home. It's never too late to start.

Your beachyear-round retreat in Delaware awaits!

Thoughtfully designed oorplans featuring rst- oor owner’s suite, wide hallways and open living spaces

Luxury nishes and the most popular structural upgrades are

Ideal location in tax-friendly Delaware near the beach, outdoor activities and gol ng

World-class amenities with pool, clubhouse, tness center, pickleball and more.*

of ten luxury communities situated from Lewes to Fenwick Island area.

Find Your Ideal... DESTINATION

The first step in finding your ideal destination is to choose a location of interest, maybe one you have vacationed to or have always wanted to visit. Then, take advantage of Discovery Travel (found on page 42).

Ideal-LIVING welcomes the following communities. Please take the time to visit their websites, and don’t forget to tell them you saw them in Ideal-LIVING.

Amblebrook Gettysburg Gettysburg, PA

French Broad Crossing Marshall, NC

French Broad Crossing in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina bills itself as “A Wild River Preserve,” and it is. The free-flowing French Broad River bisects the 750-acre enclave, one-third of which is held in trust by the Southeast Regional Conservancy, along with an additional 1,500 acres at the neighboring sister community of Little Pines. The result is well-protected local flora and fauna plus mile after mile of wilderness trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Located in the rolling Pennsylvania countryside near one of America’s most hallowed historic sites, Amblebrook Gettysburg is an age-55-and-better community for the young at heart. The unique Sports & Wellness Campus includes complete fitness facilities and training programs, an aquatic center, a full-service spa, sports court, and a yoga lawn. The Rock Creek Clubhouse is the center of community activity with an on-site concierge, art studio, demonstration kitchen, and lifelong-learning center with tiered seating. The AmbleWay, a specialized network of walking, jogging, and biking trails, can include stops at Patriot Point Park and the Fresh Farm Market with healthy local produce for the dinner table.

The top-quality homes at Amblebrook Gettysburg are energy-efficient designs from three of the region’s most respected builders. Lennar’s one- and two-story villas come with the company’s signature “Everything’s Included” programs that features home automation systems, granite countertops, stainless-steel appliances, and more for no additional cost. Elevate Homes offers a choice of eight customizable single-family floor plans, each with expansive covered outdoor living areas. The cottage-style residences by Caruso Homes feature flexible single-level living with the option to add a second-floor private office or storage space.

The town of Gettysburg offers fine-dining restaurants, shops and outlets, cultural events and festivals, the Wellspan Gettysburg Hospital and associated specialty practices, and all of the historic sites associated with the Gettysburg National Military Park.

AmblebrookGettysburg.com

The artisan-built River Lodge is the hub of social activity at French Broad Crossing, while the adjacent Wellness Center features state-of-the-art workout equipment, pool, and hot tub. The Riverfront Family Park & Pavilion hosts cookouts by the water and offers river access for whitewater rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fly fishing. The covered Tree House with an outdoor fireplace is a unique spot to enjoy sunsets after gathering nature’s produce in the community gardens, blackberry fields, and apple orchard.

French Broad Crossing homes feature spectacular river, mountain, and forest views. Current homesite listings range from 1.3 to 3.9 acres in size, and the featured home/lot combo is a two-bedroom Dancing Wind Cottage with unobstructed vistas on 1.5 acres. New community high-speed fiber-optic lines are being installed this summer. Just a 30-minute drive from downtown Asheville, French Broad Crossing residents also enjoy easy access to all of the cultural amenities, eclectic restaurants, brewpubs, and medical facilities in one of America’s finest mountain cities.

FrenchBroadCrossing.com

Marina del Palma

Palm Coast, FL

Potomac Overlook Estates

Shepherdstown, WV

If you and your family love the boating lifestyle, then Marina del Palma on the sun-drenched Atlantic coast of Florida could be your next port of call.

Marina del Palma is a community of watersports lovers who own the ultimate amenity: a state-of-the-art boathouse with a reserved E-slip for every homesite purchaser. And, because the HOA owns the facility, monthly dues are low, and boaters can get complete valet services. Choose a departure time and your vessel is put in the water, fueled up, and ready to go. After motoring on the adjacent Intracoastal Waterway or deep-sea fishing in the Gulf Stream just offshore, toss your keys to the attendant, and your boat is cleaned and safely stored indoors, ready for your next adventure.

The resort-style amenities at the gated Marina del Palma community include a waterfront clubhouse with a pool and tennis courts plus fitness facilities and a dog park. Residents also have direct access to a 4,000-acre state-owned nature preserve for hiking and biking in the pristine maritime forest. And, the beautiful local beaches are less than four miles away.

Only 154 upscale residences will be built in Marina del Palma, and three model homes are now open. Located about midway between the towns of Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, Marina del Palma residents have convenient access to shopping centers, restaurants, professional services, and year-round cultural events.

MarinadelPalma.com

Potomac Overlook Estates is a one-of-a-kind waterfront community located on the West Virginia bank of the Potomac River and about an hour north of Washington, D.C. The gated enclave has just 35 high-end homesites that range from one-acre lots directly on the riverfront to four-acre estate properties with river access. Residents have the option of building their own private docks or using the community boat ramp. All utilities, including high-speed fiber-optic cable/internet lines, are located underground for enhanced safety and convenience. Homesite buyers at Potomac Overlook Estates can use their selected architectural designs or choose from a variety of available model floor plans. Spacious Lindal Homes plans and elegant Logangate Timber Home residences are among the featured options.

Historic Shepherdstown, the home of Shepherd University and the famous Bavarian Inn, is a 10-minute scenic drive from Potomac Overlook Estates. In addition to a year-round calendar of cultural events, Shepherdstown features a walkable downtown area with restaurants, shops, galleries, theaters, and museums plus the 260-bed City Hospital and the nearby VA Medical Center. For outdoor recreation, the Whitings Neck Equestrian Center is right next door, while there are four golf courses and the Sleepy Creek Nature Preserve for hiking and biking in the immediate area. Just 16 miles away is the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races with a horse track, evening shows, and Vegas-style gaming. PotomacOverlookEstates.com

Salters Haven Hampstead, NC

Tidewater Landing

Lewes, DE

Salters Haven is an emerging community on the North Carolina coast by Logan Developers, the same team that created the sold-out Helms Port marina community in Wilmington. Families and retirees seeking the fresh-air lifestyle with plenty of time on the water will find a welcoming home at Salters Haven.

The first phase of community amenities is nearing completion, including the Salters Haven Clubhouse with a lounge, kitchen, grills, event space, and a resort-style pool. Also opening this year will be the community’s 75-slip marina, featuring direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway and the perfect launching pad for boaters, kayakers, and paddleboarders. Walking and biking trails meander through the neighborhoods.

Many of the 308 homesites at Salters Haven offer tranquil water views. The featured builders program includes two of the region’s best. Logan Homes offers a variety of flexible floor plans with spacious master suites and covered porches on the front and back. At the same time, Legacy Homes by Bill Clark features professional designs with up to four bedrooms and home offices.

Just a short drive away is the thriving coastal town of Hampstead and the pristine beaches of Topsail Island. A bit further south is the historic port city of Wilmington, a regional center of cultural activities and top-quality medical services.

SaltersHavenNC.com

Tidewater Landing is a premier destination on the southern Delaware coast for active retirees and growing families who want a four-season mid-Atlantic location just minutes from the beach. It’s the latest development by the Carl. M. Freeman Companies that are responsible for other celebrated communities in the region, such as Bayside and The Preserve.

The single-family homes at Tidewater Landing are offered in more than a dozen flexible floor plans by Schell Brothers, Delaware’s most prolific builder of upscale residences. All models include personalized details and specially crafted features that make each home unique. Available choices range from The Newport, an energy-efficient three-bedroom design, to The Waterford, which can be configured for up to eight bedrooms and has a huge outdoor living space for entertaining.

Tidewater Landing amenities include a community clubhouse with a fitness center swimming pool, tennis and multi-use courts, and miles of shady trails for walking, jogging, and biking. There’s also a community kayak launch and fishing pier. In addition, the Freeman Life Enrichment Institute offers a year-round schedule of personal-enhancement activities like academic classes, cooking demonstrations, and hobby workshops.

The historic seaside enclave of Lewes, with its charming downtown and surrounding nature preserves, is just seven miles from Tidewater Landing. Less than 10 miles east is Rehoboth Beach, one of Delaware’s most popular resort destinations that features boutique shops, fresh-seafood restaurants, and a famous oceanfront boardwalk.

LiveTidewater.com

NVHomes at the Beach

Lewes to West Fenwick Island, DE

Elevate Homes

North Carolina and Pennsylvania

Elevate Homes is taking a fresh approach to meeting the needs of today’s age-55-and-better buyers: create floor plans that are flexible enough to accommodate changing lifestyles, build each home with craftsmanship that adds real value, and locate them in genuinely distinctive areas.

NVHomes has been an industry-leading builder in the mid-Atlantic region since 1979. This summer, the company is featuring NVHomes at the Beach—luxury residences with complimentary upgrades for active adults in 10 premier communities along the beautiful southern Delaware coast.

NVHomes at the Beach offers an exceptional variety of floor plans with open living spaces and first-floor master suites. In addition to renowned builder craftsmanship, every home comes with up to $50,000 in designer upgrades that go beyond hardwood flooring throughout and granite countertops and are included in the base price. Add to that the tax benefits of Delaware residency for an unbeatable bottom line.

Equally impressive is the list of upscale Delaware communities where NVHomes is building, each within minutes of the oceanfront and featuring resort-style amenities like fitness facilities and tennis/pickleball courts. That roster includes Harbor Point, Coastal Club and the new Coastal Club Townhome Villas in the Lewes area, and Marsh Farm Estates and The Woods at Arnell Creek in Rehoboth Beach, as well as The Reserves, The Estuary, Seagrove, Bay Forest at Bethany Beach, and The Overlook on West Fenwick Island.

NVHomes at the Beach has the highest quality and best values in the most desirable seaside locations plus a commitment to unparalleled customer service from Design Center to the final finishing touches. Connect with the NVHomes experts who live at the Delaware beach, schedule an in-person visit, or take a virtual tour of the home designs and community amenities.

NVHomes.com

The eight Elevate Homes designs currently featured were created for the comfort and convenience of today’s active adults. Each of the two-, three- and four-bedroom floor plans include the company’s signature “Elevate Room,” spaces that can be personalized for every owner’s lifestyle. All of the choices offer spacious single-level living with 10foot ceilings, large sliding glass doors to let the sunshine in, and standard energy-saving features to keep the utility bills down.

Elevate Homes is building those premier residences in three unique locations, two about 30 minutes south of North Carolina’s famous “Research Triangle” and the state capital of Raleigh. Forge Creek at Flowers Plantation is a welcoming neighborhood in one of the region’s most popular communities, with superb amenities, miles of hiking trails, and a new on-site medical center. Adalyn Place is a more intimate active-adult community, situated within walking distance of a friendly downtown area in a region noted for its spas and mineral springs. The third Elevate Homes location is Amblebrook Gettysburg in southeastern Pennsylvania. This age-55+ community offers impressive facilities to enhance the wellness lifestyle plus an abundance of local cultural activities and historic sites.

Elevate-Homes.com

Community News Update

Don’t miss this opportunity to visit these amazing locations.

COVID-19 COMMUNITY TRAVEL UPDATES

Ideal-LIVING encourages our readers to travel safely when finding your ideal home. First, check out the websites of any communities you are planning to visit. Almost all communities have a section on their website to keep potential residents apprised of their COVID-19 precautions when it comes to community amenity usage as well as touring options. Many also have 3-D home tours online.

Active Adult Designs and Amenities

On Top of the World | Ocala, FL

Weybourne Landing, the newest age-55+ community of cottages and single-family homes at On Top of the World in Ocala, is now open. In addition to a choice of nine distinctive floor plans, residents enjoy superb active-adult amenities right in their neighborhood at the Weybourne Landing Clubhouse, which includes a grand ballroom, lounge, heated pool, extensive fitness facilities, six pickleball courts, and more.

OnTopOfTheWorldCommunities.com

ARNOLD PALMER TRIBUTE

The Landings | Savannah, GA

The new Marshwood Clubhouse is now open at The Landings, marking the completion of the Savannah community’s $25-million revitalization project. Golf legend Arnold Palmer designed both the Marshwood and Magnolia golf courses at The Landings, and the new clubhouse pays tribute to his memory with fresh dining options at Arnie’s Tavern and Palmer’s Steakhouse. Additional enhancements include Skidaway Island’s largest cabana bar, a resort-style pool complex, and an event lawn/croquet court.

TheLandings.com

SOUTH OF THE BORDER DEALS

Anah Tulum Bahia Principe, Mexico

Anah, the developer of the Anah Tulum community on Mexico’s Riviera Maya coast, has announced a special promotion on the luxury enclave’s last 11 unfurnished two-bedroom townhomes: The units that were previously priced at $295,000 are now being offered at just $245,000. These spacious townhomes are ready to move in with more than 1,700 square feet of living space that include full master suites upstairs and down. As with the current Anah Tulum owners, most of whom are American and Canadian, purchasers of these reduced-price townhomes will have access to an amazing variety of lifestyle amenities. That’s because Anah Tulum is part of the renowned Bahia Principe seaside resort and residential community. Among those amenities are two championship golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones II, sports facilities with tennis and pickleball courts, five resort pools, four fitness centers, and a full-service spa. For after-hours entertainment, there are 15 restaurants, 21 bars, and a casino, as well as 24/7 security, concierge services, and free transportation throughout the Bahia Principe complex. info.A-Nah.com

AT HOME ON THE DELAWARE COAST

Schell Brothers | Rehoboth Beach, DE

Property sales have been brisk this spring at Schell Brothers of Delaware and premier offerings are still available this summer. New homesites at Peninsula Lakes, featuring wooded and pond views, and at the Governors community in Lewes have been released. Generous incentives and discounts are offered at both locations. For those who just can’t wait, seven luxurious move-inready homes with designer extras are available in The Peninsula and Tidewater Landing communities. The company’s newest model, The Orchid, is now open at Saddle Ridge, while there are only three lots remaining at the popular Coastal Club community. A variety of Marsh Island, Walden, and Arbor-Lyn properties are also available. Virtual tours are offered anytime, and in-person viewings can be scheduled by appointment.

SchellBrothers.com

PREMIER TENNESSEE HOMESITES

Fairfield Glade | Fairfield Glade, TN

The East Tennessee resort and retirement community of Fairfield Glade features choice homesites in two debut locations. Chestnut Ridge is the newest Fairfield North neighborhood to offer large homesites surrounded by protected forests plus all-underground utilities, including new high-speed fiber-optic lines. The charming Cappshire Cottages neighborhood is planned for just 15 homesites with unique residences that feature customizable options. Virtual tours of four additional new home styles are also now available. FairfieldGlade.net

RESIDENTS BUILD NEW BARK PARK Albemarle Plantation | Hertford, NC

The new Dog Park at Albemarle Plantation on the North Carolina coast has welcomed its first tail-wagging residents, and more enhancements are on the way. Funded by more than 60 community members and built by 30 volunteers, new benches for human visitors and the planting of shade trees are among the additions planned this summer, with a park pavilion, a water feature, and an agility course under consideration. AlbemarlePlantation.com

CAROLINA LAKESIDE COTTAGES

Savannah Lakes Village | McCormick, SC

New maintenance-free cottages with two- and threebedroom floor plans were recently announced at Savannah Lakes Village, a fast-growing community on Lake Thurmond in South Carolina. The initial available homesites are located close to the community recreation center, the River Grille, and Tara Golf Course. SavannahLakesVillage.com

Virtual

Readers asked for virtual events and Ideal-Living delivers:

• Top Real Estate Developers and Planned Communities

• Informative Seminars

• All from the comfort of your home

By William Burr

colonial-era charm + urban vibrancy

Here’s a refreshing thought in the midst of so much turmoil. The sleepy little town of Mérida, Mexico, has awakened and become the latest in the amazing Mexican series of places not to miss. Not long ago, a remote Yucatán town, it has grown and spread its wings into a desirable location for Northern ex-pats to consider, the new place to be. Nestled in the upper corner of the Yucatán Peninsula, Mérida is now a teeming metropolis with every imaginable amenity required by a potential ex-pat. Only hours away by a modern highway from bustling Cancún and a mere fifteen minutes from the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, Mérida deserves a close look for anyone considering living or investing in a rapidly developing part of the country that still retains the charm of old Mexico.

For those wishing to retire in the Yucatán region of Mexico, the capital city of Mérida offers colonial-era charm, urban vibrancy, and ease of access to the best the region has to offer, including art, cultural events, secluded beaches, nature reserves, and archaeological treasures. The region is well connected to other parts of the Yucatán, to Mexico City, and by air to the U.S.

As a colonial city, Mérida features broad central plazas and beautiful cathedrals. Its narrow streets are safe and squeaky clean with picturesque periwin-

Mérida Cityscape

Pyramid of the Magician, Uxmal, Mexico

Mérida Zocalo

kle, sherbet pink, mint green, and vibrant peach facades. The main Zócalo is a spacious square trimmed with wellpreserved 16th-century mansions.

The primary market is a sprawling and delightfully chaotic place that’s packed with local life. Weaving through the hectic maze-like atmosphere filled with local goods, you will encounter an experience, unlike any shopping venture you may have had in the past.

Seventy-five miles east of Mérida lies Chichén Itzá, one of Mexico’s most impressive and visited Mayan ruins. An hour and fifteen minutes south of Mérida, Uxmal is another priceless UNESCO listed Mayan ruin. Not far from Mérida is Campeche, a stunning seaside city with colorful architecture and fascinating history. This historic city, another UNESCO heritage site, is only about a two-hour drive from Mérida.

Surrounded by a countless number of ancient Mayan ruins, blue water cenotes, charming haciendas, quiet strands of Gulf of Mexico beaches, and intriguing Mayan villages dotting the land, the area truly offers something for everyone.

Removed from the glitzy sunshine boulevards of Cancún, a three-hour drive away, Mérida offers residents a piece of authentic Mexico while providing affordability and modern amenities. Expatriates accustomed to comfortable living arrangements and the availability of modern services will find them plentiful in the city and surrounding countryside. In Mérida, prices in restaurants, tour excursions, and hotels cost a fraction of what can be found on the other side of the Yucatán peninsula.

Surrounded by a countless number of ancient Mayan ruins, blue water cenotes, charming haciendas, quiet strands of Gulf of Mexico beaches, and intriguing Mayan villages dotting the land, the area truly offers something for everyone. The 6,000 freshwater sinkholes and caves called cenotes are a must-visit. For centuries, the crystalclear groundwater pools were used as sacred wells by the Maya, where they performed offerings and spiritual rituals to communicate with the gods. Local shamans still perform these rituals today.

The Gulf of Mexico’s tropical beaches are less than a half-hour away, a long strip of sand stretching east and west. As a draw for ex-pats and Mexicans alike, it is growing rapidly as the place to invest. The area is well developed with a Costco, Walmart, and modern hospitals. An up-tothe-minute and luxurious shopping mall called The Harbor has restaurants, shops, movie theaters, and much more.

Montejo Plaza is one of the newest living investments, a condo community offering residents a private beach club, the only one in Mérida that has this amenity. The project will be move-in ready by summer 2021.

When asked why someone should consider living or investing there, Emilliano Banuet of the Montejo Plaza emphasized the prime location, the private beach club, the Peso exchange rate that is currently 30% cheaper, and its proximity to Mérida. In addition, he added that the Montejo Plaza Condo is within walking distance of the Harbor Shopping mall.

Banuet’s enthusiasm for the area is well expressed in the following comment. “The life that Mérida offers and the way you can stretch your retirement money in Mexico is impossible in the U.S. You can eat healthy fresh food, invest wisely, and live a life only the super-wealthy can afford in the States.”

It would appear that Mérida has such a wonderful combination of amenities that it is hard to resist.

Cenotes Cathedral of San Ildefonso

Mérida Cityscape

There’s a Place for You, and Find It!

venture out

DISCOVERY TRAVEL

ideal-LIVING invites you to get out and explore communities to find your ideal destination. You won’t know until you go. Here’s a sampling of Discovery Travel opportunities with over 100 more that can only be found online.

available only on

.com/ventureout

PLAYA BONITA – DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Playa Bonita is a luxury beachfront residential community located along the north coast of the Dominican Republic on the beautiful Samana peninsula. The community is being developed on waterfront property along its namesake, the Playa Bonita beach. This idyllic beach can be found to the west of Las Terrenas, a thriving cosmopolitan town. Playa Bonita is the best beach in Dominican Republic. It offers the perfect combination of smooth and silky sand and unbelievable turquoise crystalline water.

WINDRIVER – LENOIR CITY, TN

Surrounded by the nature of East Tennessee and long-distance views of the Great Smoky Mountains on five miles of shoreline along Tellico Lake, WindRiver is a luxury lakefront and golf resort community located just outside the city of Knoxville in Loudon County, TN. This gated community offers a covered and uncovered marina, a clubhouse, the WindRiver Club, featuring facilities for both indoor and outdoor recreation and fitness pursuits, miles of walking and hiking trails, Brightwater Park – a waterside destination for passive recreation, fun, and relaxation, and the Lakeside Inn, home to the award-winning gourmet restaurant, Citico's.

You won’t know until you go!

HAMPTON HALL – BLUFFTON, SC

Imagine for a minute you're visiting the private club community of Hampton Hall in Bluffton, SC. You've gotten over the awe of the dramatic and picturesque Lowcountry landscape, and you're starting to take in your surroundings. For while everything here is beautiful to look at and expertly maintained and cared for, the key component is fun and enjoyment.

LAKE ARROWHEAD – WALESKA, GA

Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful masterplanned community just 40 minutes from Atlanta, convenient to nearby Canton, and minutes from the new, state-of-the-art Northside Cherokee Hospital and the premiere Cultural Arts Center at renowned Reinhardt University. The vast list of amenities includes miles of walking/ hiking trails, pickleball, championship golf, and breathtaking lake and mountain views.

SHELL POINT – FORT MYERS, FL

Shell Point® is an award-winning lifecare retirement resort located along the Caloosahatchee River just minutes from Sanibel Island and the Gulf of Mexico. Shell Point offers an unparalleled lifestyle in an unparalleled waterfront setting. For those who enjoy exploring Florida's waterways, there's boating, fishing, sailing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and canoeing. For sport and fitness fans, there is Shell Point's championship golf course, four Har-Tru tennis courts, five pickleball courts, a bocce court, fitness centers with trained professionals, and four heated swimming pools.

SALTERS HAVEN – HAMPSTEAD, NC

Nestled along the sparkling Intracoastal Waterway, in the growing coastal town of Hampstead, NC, Salters Haven will be the place for those who seek an active lifestyle on the water. Enjoy a celebration of family, community, and recreation on the water and elegant coastal homes here at Salters Haven.

BY JG WALKER

Over the years, our ideal-LIVING magazine readers and EXPO event guests have told us that “access to quality healthcare” is among your top priorities in choosing a new community. Now more than ever, that seems to be a good idea.

In the following pages, we’ve highlighted some of the best destination areas that feature outstanding medical facilities and specialty services. This isn’t intended to be a complete listing or a quality comparison between one region and another. In fact, in every city and town in these states, there are dedicated doctors, nurses, and support-staff professionals that offer expert care and compassionate therapies.

The rankings and ratings referenced here are the most recent from the authoritative U.S. News & World Report annual survey. But the final authority on any such personal matter is you. Doing your homework on the local healthcare services available should be an important part of your research when considering a new community. There’s a lot of information online to get you started, but you should make a point of asking community ambassadors and sales representatives about nearby medical facilities. Hospital and healthcare networks are expanding every year, often locating outpatient clinics and affiliated adult specialty practices in commercial centers near new and growing retirement communities. Find out what they have to offer you as part of your safe and healthy lifestyle.

North Carolina’s Research Triangle

The Research Triangle in central North Carolina is home to more physicians per capita than any other metropolitan area in the United States. That’s because, in addition to North Carolina State University in Raleigh, the region includes two of America’s top medical schools and research hospitals at Duke University in Durham and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Duke University Hospital is nationally ranked in 10 adult specialties and is in the heart of a campus that includes medical and nursing schools, a renowned children’s hospital, and a pioneering clinical research institute. Duke Health System also operates two other major regional hospitals and a network of primary care facilities that see over two million patients per year. Duke specialty programs have consistently been on the leading edge of wellness innovations, with institutes devoted to diet and fitness, integrative medical therapies, and home/hospice care.

From its 800-bed hospital and medical school based in Chapel Hill, the UNC Healthcare System extends throughout the state and features primary care locations in Chatham, Wake, Orange, and Lee counties. The UNC network also includes collaborative partnerships with Chatham Hospital and Rex Healthcare. In addition, the WakeMed Health network has two local hospitals and a series of satellite centers. Military veterans and their families are served at the Durham VA Medical Center and 10 outpatient clinics are conveniently located throughout central and eastern North Carolina.

Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry

The Holy City of Charleston is blessed with an abundance of healthcare providers, including more than 2,000 area physicians and a regional support-staff workforce that exceeds 30,000. The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) is the South’s oldest continuously operating medical school, home to major colleges of dentistry and nursing, and the hub of a growing local biotech industry that includes cutting-edge telehealth initiatives. The MUSC Medical Center includes three downtown hospitals, the Hollings Cancer Center and affiliated acute-care centers throughout the Lowcountry, Pee Dee, and Midlands regions of the state.

The Charleston region also offers the Roper St. Francis network, which now includes four area hospitals with the 2019 opening of a new full-service location in the Summerville area at Carnes Crossroads. The Trident Medical Center in North Charleston and East Cooper Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant are among the region’s top-rated hospitals and host to numerous specialty practices in adjacent medical parks. Local military members, active and retired, are served by the Johnson V.A. Medical Center, the Naval Health Clinic Charleston, and the U.S. Naval Hospital in Beaufort.

Lowcountry residents also have convenient access to the full range of services at Beaufort Memorial Hospital and Hilton Head Hospital plus several new medicalpractice centers that have been established near growing retirement communities in the Bluffton area. The same is true just across the river in the Savannah area, where senior-care practices are increasing in number along with new resident retirees. St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Memorial Health University Medical Center are among coastal Georgia’s leading healthcare facilities.

Jacksonville, Florida

The Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is the Southern extension of the world-famous Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, home to the top-rated hospital in the United States. Not surprisingly, given that provenance, the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville is the No. 1 rated hospital in all of Florida. The local Mayo facilities are nationally ranked or rated as high-performing in nearly 20 adult specialties, are certified for complicated surgeries like organ transplants, and operate a primary care network in northeastern Florida. The Mayo Clinic Jacksonville

Leave The Metro Behind

TRANQUILITY AWAITS YOU AT

POTOMAC OVERLOOK ESTATES

Nestled along the banks of one of the nation’s most famous waterways lies Potomac Overlook Estates — a picturesque, gated community located just 90 minutes from Washington, D.C. and Baltimore in the historic shadows of Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Leave your Beltway commutes in the rearview mirror and reacquaint yourself with Mother Nature. Potomac Overlook Estates offers individual private-dock access to a 12-mile span of the river for boating, fishing and jet skiing and its riverfront walking trail thoughtfully includes benches to fully enjoy its evening sunsets. A relaxing round of golf and a rejuvenating day at the spa are just minutes from your front door.

Custom-home packages at Potomac Overlook Estates range from $700K—$1M. Introductory lot pricing allows future residents to secure their desired homesite now and build later — a 1-acre waterfront lot is $250,000 and a 3-acre water-access lot is $175,000. Homeowners in this exclusive 35-lot community can also work remotely thanks to dedicated fiber optic internet service from Comcast.

is currently undergoing a $70-million expansion to enhance its cardiovascular surgery, spine treatment, and pain rehabilitation programs. In 2019, plans were announced to establish a $233-million comprehensive cancer center on the local Mayo campus.

The University of Florida Health System also has a major teaching hospital in Jacksonville, part of an expansive facility that includes institutes for advanced diagnostic imaging, neuroscience treatment, cancer care, and bone/joint specialties. The Baptist Health System operates five hospitals in the region with more than 1,000 total beds, including the flagship Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville with the area’s only dedicated stroke and cerebrovascular treatment facility. The regional Baptist Health network also includes 47 primary care offices. Retirees in the Jacksonville area find a broad range of additional services at respected locations like the downtown Memorial Hospital, three Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital facilities that include a top-rated orthopedic center, the Ackerman Cancer Center, and the Brooks Rehabilitation Center.

Florida’s Gulf Coast

With a steady influx of retirees in recent decades to southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast region, existing medical centers have expanded, and new healthcare locations

are opening every year. Tampa General Hospital is the top-rated facility in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area and is nationally ranked in adult specialties like colorectal and gynecological cancer treatment. In addition to several outpatient clinics and a children’s hospital, the Tampa General network includes thyroid, sleep disorder, and rehabilitation centers. Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, St. Joseph’s Hospital-Tampa, and Mease Countryside Hospital in Safety Harbor are also among the area’s best providers.

Just to the south, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Blake Medical Center are the top-ranked facilities in the Sarasota-Bradenton area, with specialty services that include heart surgery and hip/knee replacements. Sarasota Memorial is also opening a new hospital in Venice. The Lakewood Ranch Medical Center provides general medical and surgical services to residents in growing Manatee County communities. Lee Memorial Hospital is the top-rated provider in the Fort Myers area and offers superior critical care and gastrointestinal surgery services, while Cape Coral Hospital and the Gulf Coast Medical Center also boast high patient-experience ratings. NCH Healthcare System operates two large hospitals in Naples plus 35 locations in a regional network that offer a variety of outpatient, cardiac, rehabilitation, and wellness services.

Nashville & Knoxville, Tennessee

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville is Tennessee’s top-rated facility with superior ratings in 11 adult specialties. In addition to the renowned Vanderbilt School of Medicine, the campus also includes the Carell Children’s Hospital and a full-service psychiatric hospital with several outpatient clinics to serve patients in the region. In addition, the Vanderbilt facilities feature separate institutes dedicated to eye care, voice/hearing disorders, cancer treatment, and wellnessfocused rehabilitative services. Area residents also have access to the St. Thomas Hospital network that includes top-rated facilities in Midtown and West Nashville, as well as a specialty hospital for spinal surgery.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville comprises a 600-bed teaching hospital and a Level 1 Trauma Center plus institutes focused on cancer, brain/ spine, heart/lung, and orthopedic treatments, among others. The UT Medical Center has been an innovator in telehealth services and operates comprehensive regional centers in Sevierville and Lenoir City. East Tennessee

Start living the lifestyle you’ve been dreaming about with Encore by David Weekley Homes. Our lifestyle-driven approach to home design offers the ideal balance of livability with thoughtfullydesigned floor plans featuring indoor and outdoor entertaining spaces and a high level of customization to make your new home everything you’ve imagined.

Plus, you’ll delight in more freedom and fun in one of our friendly 55+ lifestyle neighborhoods offering a variety of amenities, activities and clubs – all planned by a lifestyle director – to enhance your active life. These intimate communities make it easy to develop friendships with your neighbors, too.

residents also have access to medical care at Blount Memorial Hospital and its 14 regional satellite centers, as well as the respected Parkwest and North Knoxville acute-care hospitals. An impressive variety of specialty care facilities are also located in East Tennessee, such as the McNabb Center for mental health treatment, the Dunn Center for individuals with disabilities, and the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center, an innovative provider of therapeutic care that’s part of the Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center.

Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta is Georgia’s capital city and the hub of a metropolitan area of about six million residents, most of whom live in the two dozen surrounding suburban counties and mid-sized cities. Healthcare services are dispersed throughout the region, which features five major provider networks with nearly 40 hospitals.

Emory University Hospital is rated as the No. 1 medical facility in Georgia and among America’s top 10 cardiology centers. Staffed by the faculty of the renowned Emory School of Medicine and nationally ranked in 11 adult specialties, the flagship campus is part of the Emory Healthcare network that offers services at nine additional area hospitals and more than 250 medical service locations in Georgia.

The 600-bed Piedmont Atlanta Hospital is the home base of an eight-hospital network that includes major facilities in Stockbridge and Fayetteville. The WellStar Atlanta Medical Center has an Advanced Primary Stroke Center and eight satellite hospitals that include the 660bed Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. The Northside Hospital network offers five full-service locations with major facilities in Lawrenceville and Cummings, plus oncology and orthopedic surgery specialties at its primary Sandy Springs hospital. Military veterans in the Atlanta area have access to the VA Medical Center in Decatur, along with 10 clinics conveniently located in the surrounding suburban areas. Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta and the Northeast Georgia Medical Center are among the region’s major standalone providers of healthcare services.

Phoenix-Scottsdale, Arizona

The Phoenix-Scottsdale area of central Arizona has long been a magnet for retirees from all over the United States and offers more than just a dry, sunny climate with 100+ golf courses. The region also features some of the nation’s best adult healthcare facilities, starting with the Mayo Clinic Phoenix, the Western outpost of Minnesota’s world-famous Mayo Clinic. The Arizona location itself is nationally ranked in eight adult specialties and has the highest rating possible in nine procedures that include heart, lung, and colon surgery plus hip and knee replacement and other adult services.

The honor roll of top healthcare facilities in the area with high-performance ratings in three or more specialties also includes the Chandler Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, and HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center. The region’s most extensive provider, Banner Health Network, is comprised of 5,000 affiliated physicians and practitioners who work at 15 Phoenix-area Banner hospitals plus eight local health centers and a variety of other conveniently located medical facilities. In addition, the Phoenix-Scottsdale area is home to scores of specialty hospitals, treatment clinics, and professional practices focused on the specific healthcare needs of age-55+ adults.

Salt Lake City, Utah

In the Salt Lake City area and northern Utah, residents and retirees enjoy the services of three excellent healthcare networks. Each features a top-rated state hospital and a network of clinics and affiliated professional practices that offer care for patients of all ages. The University of Utah Hospital is nationally ranked for its orthopedic services, rated as high performing in several surgical specialties, including heart bypass and lung cancer. It has a five-star rating for patient satisfaction. The Intermountain Medical Center in nearby Murray is nationally ranked for pulmonary/lung surgery and high performing in three additional surgical procedures. At the same time, the Utah Valley Hospital just to the south in Provo has high-performance ratings for aortic valve, heart bypass, and hip/ knee replacement procedures.

Delaware

The state of Delaware may be small in size but offers expanding healthcare services to the growing number of retirement communities along the Atlantic coast. The ChristianaCare Hospitals, with more than 1,200 beds at major facilities in Newark and Wilmington, are the state’s top-ranked and are rated as high performing in five adult specialties. The ChristianaCare Health System also operates nine satellite locations that include the Graham Cancer Center and the du Pont Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute. Beebe Healthcare-Lewes in southern Delaware offers a complete menu of adult services with high-performance ratings in heart failure treatments and hip/knee replacements. The Wilmington VA Medical Center and its outpatient clinics serve Delaware’s veterans and active service members.

BESTthe IN PLANNED COMMUNITIES

For five years, Ideal-Living has featured the “Best of the Best” to recognize those communities and builders that offer our readers “the best” of everything, including the best locations, the best amenities, and the best residential design and construction standards. The categories have changed over the years and have been refined for 2020.

Master-planned residential communities with established basic infrastructure and lifestyle amenities are eligible for inclusion among the “Top 100 Planned Communities.”

The popularity of planned communities continues to grow with each year thanks to exceptional conceptualizing, planning, designing, and developing. These communities focus on what’s important to live a fulfilling, healthy lifestyle to the fullest. A true sense of community is felt by residents. Ideal-Living has interviewed thousands of residents over the past 20 years who attest to the genuine level of friendship found in planned amenity communities.

Though it may be a little more challenging to travel this year, at IdealLiving, we encourage you to pick a few communities in a regional area and visit. The communities are taking special care to meet social distancing and sanitizing needs to provide a safe environment for those visiting and who are living there.

Go to ideal-LIVING.com/BestofBest for detailed information on all of the communities listed in this section.

Top 10 Reasons TO LIVE IN A PLANNED COMMUNITY

1

Lots of open space In today’s world, it is more important than ever to have open spaces and fresh air. Planned communities provide wellmaintained outdoor spaces with plenty of room to social distance with your friends.

2 Make Friends Easily Even in times of COVID, it’s easy to meet people and make friends.

3 Sense of Community Almost everyone in a planned community has moved from somewhere else. It’s a very welcoming environment. 4 5

Walkable Communities Almost every planned development has a network of walking trails throughout to help residents stay in shape.

Live a Healthy Lifestyle Planned communities offer many amenities that encourage a healthy lifestyle from golf, tennis, and pickle ball to pools and workout facilities with fitness classes, and even fitness directors.

6 7 8 9 10

Social Clubs Join any type of club that interests you, and if there isn’t one, you can always start one and others will join you.

Sense of Security Many planned communities are gated with 24/7 security.

Beautifully Maintained Homes Planned communities have architectural guidelines that ensure the design integrity of the home.

Lush Landscapes Planned communities are built around perfectly managed green spaces (especially when there is a golf course) and are filled with beautiful flora and fauna.

A Chance to Give Back Community organizations within the developments offer an environment to volunteer your gifts.

BEST COASTAL COMMUNITIES

Beautiful sunrises and sunsets, salt air, white sand beaches, great seafood, and a laid-back atmosphere are just a few of the reasons that the coastlines are the most densely populated regions of the United States. It's just a different way of life – you tend to slow down and appreciate life at the coast. Whether you live on the water or within 30 minutes of the beach, it's a wonderful, active lifestyle. Here are a few of our favorite coastal communities to visit.

Go to ideal-LIVING.com/BestoftheBest for images and links to all communities.

St.James – Southport, NC

Beau Coast – Beaufort, NC

Bay Creek – Cape Charles, VA

Grande Dunes – Myrtle Beach, SC

Waterways – Richmond Hill. GA

River Dunes – Oriental, NC

BEST COASTAL COMMUNITIES

Grande Dunes

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Harbour Isle on Anna Maria Sound

Bradenton, Florida

Kingfish Bay

Calabash, North Carolina

Waterways

Richmond Hill, Georgia

River Dunes

Oriental, North Carolina

St. James

Southport, North Carolina

The Peninsula

Millsboro, Delaware

Cumberland Harbour

St. Marys, Georgia

Bay Creek

Cape Charles, Virginia

Hammock Beach

Palm Coast, Florida

Albemarle Plantation

Hertford, North Carolina

Beau Coast

Beaufort, North Carolina

Sailfish Point

Stuart, Florida

Amelia National

Fernandina Beach, Florida

Coosaw Point

Beaufort, South Carolina

Harbour Isle on Anna Maria Sound – Bradenton, FL

The Peninsula – Millsboro, DE

BEST LAKE COMMUNITIES 2020

The peace and serenity of living on or near a lake is not easily surpassed. Planned lake communities offer the best in lifestyle options with amenities like full-service marinas or docks for your boats and well-stocked supplies of fish. Water sports like sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing help to keep you young in spirit, as well as physically fit.

Go to ideal-LIVING.com/BestoftheBest for images and links to all communities.

Keowee Key – Salem, SC

Tellico Village – Vonore, TN

Savannah Lakes Village – McCormick, SC

WindRiver – Lenoir City, TN

Hot Springs Village

Hot Springs, Arkansas

Eastman

Grantham, New Hampshire

Keowee Key

Salem, South Carolina

Tellico Village

Vonore, Tennessee

Savannah Lakes Village

McCormick, South Carolina

Fawn Lake

Spotsylvania, Virginia

Lake Naomi Club

Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania

The Lakes at Harmony

Harmony, Florida

WindRiver

Lenoir City, Tennessee

Reynolds Plantation

Greensboro, Georgia

Hot Springs Village – Hot Springs, AR

Eastman – Grantham, NH

Lake Naomi – Pocono Pines, PA

BEST MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES 2020

Grand Highlands

Hendersonville, North Carolina

Red Ledges

Heber City, Utah

Hiking through mountain trails and finding that perfect stream or waterfall creates a splendid day. These communities offer that serenity, a picture-perfect hillside, and mountain-ridge settings. If you want incredible views from your porch, along with an active lifestyle in the mountains, one of these communities could be right for you.

Black Creek

Chattanooga, Tennessee

French Broad Crossing

Asheville, North Carolina

Jasper Highlands

Kimball, Tennessee

Mountainside at Victory

Buckeye, Arizona

Lake Arrowhead

Waleska, Georgia

Greenbrier Sporting Club

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Ranches at Belt Creek

Belt, Montana

Mountain Air

Burnsville, North Carolina

Go to ideal-LIVING.com/BestoftheBest for images and links to all communities.

Jasper Highlands – Kimball, TN

Red Ledges – Heber City, UT

French Broad Crossing – Asheville, NC

Black Creek – Chattanooga, TN

Lake Arrowhead – Waleska, GA

Grand Highlands – Hendersonville, NC

BEST GOLF COMMUNITIES

Dataw Island – Beaufort, SC

Mount Vintage – North Augusta, SC

Fairfield Glade – Fairfield Glade, TN

2020

The average golfer walks between five to seven miles per round of golf, which makes living on a golf course an excellent way to maintain one’s health. While the majority of planned developments are designed around golf courses, these best-ofthe-best communities have pristine golf courses designed by the most respected architects in the business.

Fairfield Glade

Fairfield Glade, Tennessee

Plantation Bay

Ormond Beach, Florida

Kingsmill

Williamsburg, Virginia

Landfall

Wilmington, North Carolina

Dataw

Beaufort, South Carolina

Kiawah Resort

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Callawassie Island

Okatie, South Carolina

Quail Ridge

Boynton Beach, Florida

Mount Vintage

North Augusta, South Carolina

The Landings

Savannah, Georgia

Plantation Bay – Ormond Beach, FL

Callawassie Island – Okatie, SC

The Landings – Savannah, GA

BEST HEALTH & FITNESS COMMUNITIES

These communities offer miles of paved walking trails or nature trails along with extensive fitness and wellness opportunities. Almost all planned communities have basic exercise equipment in their clubhouses, but these communities feature more than just expansive fitness facilities with the latest running and weighttraining machines. They also offer complete wellness programs and fitness classes designed to improve every resident’s overall lifestyle.

Birchwood at Brambleton

Brambleton, Virginia

Compass Pointe

Leland, North Carolina

Lakewood Ranch

Sarasota, Florida

Flowers Plantation

Clayton, North Carolina

On Top of the World

Ocala, Florida

Carolina Colours

New Bern, North Carolina

Citrus Hills

Hernando, Florida

River Bluffs

Castle Hayne, North Carolina

Woodside

Aiken, South Carolina

Watersong at Rivertown

St. Johns, Florida

Watersong at Rivertown – St. Johns, FL

On Top of the World – Ocala, FL

Carolina Colours – New Bern, NC

Birchwood at Brambleton – Brambleton, VA

Citrus Hills – Hernando, FL

River Bluffs – Castle Hayne, NC

Lakewood Ranch – Lakewood Ranch, FL

BEST TENNIS & PICKLEBALL

Get your rackets ready; these communities have either tennis or pickleball facilities for friendly matches or competitive tournaments. As the fastestgrowing sport among those aged 50+, pickleball offers older adults the opportunity to maintain their health in a fun, social way.

Brunswick Forest

Leland, North Carolina

Solivita

Kissimmee, Florida

Del Webb Naples

Ave Maria, Florida

Victory at Verrado

Buckeye, Arizona

Rock Barn

Conover, North Carolina

Isles of Colier Preserve

Naples, Florida

SunRiver

Chandler, Arizona

Daniel Island

Daniel Island, South Carolina

Palmetto Dunes

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Sun City Anthem

Henderson, Nevada

Victory at Verrado – Buckeye, AZ

Brunswick Forest – Leland, NC

Imagine returning home to a vacation.

CRYSTAL COAST CARTERET COUNTY

Move to the Crystal Coast and enjoy life the way it is supposed to be lived. You’ll fi nd friendly people, a rich history, beautiful ocean sunrises and sunsets, unlimited water activities and great dining and shopping. The Crystal Coast was recently ranked as one of America’s top retirement hot spots.

CrystalCoast ED.com • 252.222.6121

EDENTON

Historic Edenton offers breathtaking scenery, small-town charm and limitless recreation opportunities all within reach of major urban areas and world-renowned beaches. Discover a new kind of living along the Albemarle Sound in “One of America’s Prettiest Towns*” (*Forbes.com).

Edenton.net/retire • 800.775.0111

GREENVILLE-PITT COUNTY

On the banks of the Tar River, Greenville has friendly college town charm with the amenities of a larger city: East Carolina University, Vidant Medical Center, shopping, dining, nightlife, a vibrant art and music scene, and outdoor recreation – all to ensure that you find yourself in good company!

VisitGreenvilleNC.com • 252.329.4200

ROANOKE RAPIDS LAKE GASTON

Southern charm, rich history, spectacular natural setting, and mouthwatering dining are just a few area delights that await you. Nestled on the mighty Roanoke River, we like to say that “rushing river water can take the edges off rocks and people”! We are confident that you will find that true.

VisitHalifax.com/retire • 800.522.4282

HIGH POINT JAMESTOWN

The Jamestown/High Point area’s central location, mild climate, affordable cost of living and abundant opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation, the arts, shopping and fine dining – all come together to provide an enhanced quality of life. Lovely neighborhoods and beautiful parks and lakes serve as the backdrop for a vibrant community.

LiveInHighPoint.com • 800.720.5255

LUMBERTON

Halfway between New York and Florida on the I-95 and I-74 corridor, Lumberton offers easy passages to North Carolina’s beaches, mountains and urban areas all within a short drive. Modern healthcare facilities, friendly neighborhoods with affordable housing, convenient parks, recreational sites and cultural activities make for enjoyable, comfortable living. You Belong Here!

Lumberton-NC.com • 800.359.6971

VISIT NEW BERN

New Bern isn’t just a great place to visit. It’s a great place to call home, filled with amenities that make it a wonderful place to make the most of your retirement. It offers all of the benefits of a larger city, but with the comforts of a quaint town.

VisitNewBern.com/retire-new-bern • 800.437.5767

CITY OF REIDSVILLE

Do what you love for less in Reidsville. Get more from your retirement savings in the quaint NC town of Reidsville. Lower average home price, lower property taxes, state-of-the-art Retirement Center, and two lakes to fish, kayak or hike, and admire the landscape.

RiseupReidsville.com • 336.349.1099

RUMBLING BALD ON LAKE LURE

Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure is the preferred Blue Ridge Mountain vacation home for families from across the country. Our picturesque community takes its name from the 3,200-foot mountain, Rumbling Bald. Spread over 3,000+ acres, this community offers activities and amenities for the entire family including two championship golf courses.

RumblingBald.com • 828.694.3000

VISIT WINSTON-SALEM

Conveniently and centrally located between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic coast, Winston-Salem is the state’s fifth largest city. Discover our hip and historic downtown, buzzing with an eclectic arts scene and more than 120 restaurants, bars and diverse shopping options as well as a thriving medical community and nationally acclaimed colleges and universities.

VisitWinstonSalem.com • 866.728.4200

BEST ECO-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES

These communities were designed with the desire to preserve the environment around them. Whether they have designated land as nature preserves, have solar-powered homes, or save energy, water, and other resources, these communities provide eco-friendly spaces.

Babcock Ranch

Babcock Ranch, Florida

Chickahominy Falls

Glen Allen, Virginia

Northwest Crossing

Bend, Oregon

McLendon Hills

West End, North Carolina

The Ponds

Summerville, South Carolina

Wellen Park

Venice, Florida

Arenal Hills

San Ramon, Costa Rica

Pichacho Mountain

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Go

images and links to all communities.

Nocatee

Ponte Vedra, Florida

E-Town

Jacksonville, Florida

Arenal Hills – San Ramon, Costa Rica

Babcock Ranch – Babcock Ranch, FL

McLendon Hills – West End, NC

BEST SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITIES

Choosing the right place to retire is an important decision. If you want an active lifestyle with the abilities to meet your changing needs as you age, these communities might just be perfect for you. They offer amenity-laden options with maintenance-free housing, plus a host of personal care options. If you experience a change in health and need a higher level of care, you won’t have to leave the community you’ve come to know and love.

Go

Shell Point

Fort Myers, Florida

Oak Harbor

Vero Beach, Florida

Willow Valley Communties

Willow Street, Pennsylvania

Cambridge Village

Wilmington, North Carolina

Williamsburg Landing

Williamsburg, Virginia

Corso Atlanta

Atlanta, Georgia

Vivante

San Ramon, Costa Rica

Cascades Verdae

Greenville, South Carolina

Maravilla

Scottsdale, Arizona

Vi at Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch, Colorado

Shell Point – Fort Myers, FL

Willow Valley Communities – PA

Cambridge Village – Wilmington, NC

Oak Harbor – Vero Beach, FL

ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH?

Located in award-winning Brambleton, in the heart of Loudoun County, Virginia, Birchwood has become the best-selling active adult community around. Buyers have fallen in love with this new, walkable community where everything you want is at your fingertips including a 20,000 square foot clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, open spaces and trails, shopping and dining.

Birchwood is within easy access to Dulles International Airport, the nation’s capital, the new Metro extension and dozens of wineries, breweries and historic sites.

Choose from condominiums, courtyard homes, villas, carriages and single-family homes with furnished models by nationally recognized homebuilders Miller & Smith, Van Metre Homes and Winchester Homes.

Plan your visit today. Move in this year.

BEST INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITIES

For many Americans, finding the ideal retirement destination means traveling abroad. Imagine awakening to the sounds of tropical birds, howler monkeys, and the tradewinds blowing through the trees. All the fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful. Excellent health care exists, and Americans have contributed to the thriving medical tourism industry. Consider investing or relocating in these locations where you can live a higher quality of life, often for less money.

Arenal Hills

San Ramon, Costa Rica

The Fives

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Las Olas

Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador

Lucero

Boquete, Panama

TAO Mexico

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Bahia Principe

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Botanika Resort

Oso Peninsula, Costa Rica

Montejo

Merida, Mexico

Sea Horse Ranch

Caberete, Dominican Republic

Red Frog Beach

Bocas del Torro, Panama

Red Frog Beach – Panama

Bahia Principe – Mexico

The Fives – Mexico

Las Olas – Ecuador

TAO – Mexico

BEST CUSTOM HOME DESIGNS

These homebuilders provide their customers with fabulous designs that accomodate the 55+ buyers and allow them to customize to their needs. Open floor plans, large kitchens, lots of storage, spa-like master suites, and outdoor living spaces are designed with the utmost care to assure quality construction.

2020

Go

for images and links to all communities.

David Weekley Homes

North Carolina | Florida | Texas | Arizona

Horizon Homes

North Carolina

Toll Brothers

Nationwide

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark North Carolina

Logan Homes

North Carolina | South Carolina

Paramount Homes

New Jersey

Schell Brothers

Delaware

Van Metre Homes

Virginia

NVR Homes

14 States

Meritus

South Carolina

Logan Homes

David Weekley Homes

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark

Palmer Lake Villas

Coastal Cottages

Palmer & Nicklaus Golf

BEST NEW COMMUNITIES

If you've ever wanted to get in from the ground up, these communties will give you that opportunity. These master-planned amenity communities offer the best selection of homesites along with quality, beautiful home construction in appealing areas along with all new amenities. They offer a great opportunity to help create social clubs that might interest you.

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle, Amblebrook Gettysburg offers resort-style living amid small town charm. Here,

Verona – Ormond Beach, FL

Salters Haven

Hampstead, North Carolina

Amblebrook

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Verona

Ormond Beach, Florida

Cresswind at Twin Lakes

Hoschton, Georgia

Shepherds Cove

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

Marina Pointe

Tampa, Florida

Potomac Overlook Estates

Martinsburg, West Virginia

Latitude Margaritaville

Watersound

Watersound, Florida

Marina del Palma

Palm Coast, Florida

Tidewater Landing

Lewes, Delaware

Latitude Margaritaville – Watersound, FL

Salters Haven – Hampstead, NC

Marina Pointe – Tampa, FL

Shepherds Cove – WV

BEST ACTIVE ADULT DEVELOPERS

For those of you who wish to live in a community with others your age and better, these developers are experts at creating planned developments for the 55+ market. They incorporate universal design techniques into their homes as well as create an atmosphere that is conducive to staying healthy and happy. These developers build homes throughout the country with desirable amenities and many social clubs and activities.

Go to ideal-LIVING.com/BestoftheBest for images and links to all communities.

Elevate Homes

ICI Homes

Brookfield Homes

Latitude Margaritaville

Del Webb

K Hovnanian

Kolter Cresswind

Medley by Lennar

Latitude Margaritaville by Minto Communities

Traditions of America

Brookfield Homes

ICI Homes

David Weekley

Neal Communities

Landmark Homes

GL Homes

Elevate Homes

Traditions of America

Encore by David Weekley

Landmark Homes

Find Your Ideal... LIFE

Choose to live your ideal life today. If you've been thinking about making a change in your life to have more time to enjoy the things you've been longing to do, now is the time to explore destinations to make this happen.

Life During COVID in a Planned Community

And, it looks different for everyone and changes daily. Some cities and beaches looked like it was spring break" when they reopened. Some grocery stores require a mask for entry; some do not. Restaurants have reopened, but it's a different experience than before. We've learned to social distance (well, at least some of us have). We've learned to wear masks. Some have taken away valuable, life-changing lessons from the pandemic. None of us knows how long

this new way of life will continue or when or if a vaccine will be available. But, one thing is for sure, for Ideal-LIVING readers who had already found their ideal destination prior to the virus, their experiences have been a bit more relaxed and serene than those still living in highly populated areas. The following are stories from homeowners in different states, and even one from a couple in Mexico who share their pre-COVID and shelter-in-place experiences.

"We're in this together," were the cries heard from every corner of the world at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. And, yes, we are still in it together, whether your city or state has reopened all of the way or you are somewhere in the process of reopening. We are all learning what the "new normal" looks like.

Everything is better with an ocean breeze.

After vacationing in the Caribbean for years, David and Randi Harrity knew that they wanted to retire there, but where was the question. While living in Texas, they frequently visited Mexico. Randi said, "Dave did so much research; we were really well-prepared." Three years ago, they permanently relocated to Akumal, a small town between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, a little over an hour away from the Cancun airport. They reside in one of TAO Mexico's 14 communities. Since 2006, TAO Mexico has been building residential communities in the Riviera Maya that create a sense of belonging in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Akumal.

Although Randi doesn't speak much Spanish, she learned two important phrases right away: mañana and no pasa nada (don't worry about it). She said, "Mañana doesn't mean tomorrow; it just means not today." And, there are no worries for the Harritys. David said, "It's a slower way of life here. It's a good community — people really help each other out. Even in isolation, we have "too many" friends. It's a social area, and everyone here is looking for the same thing. We often just need a night off."

Even during the shelter-in-place orders, they were able to socialize with their friends. They would see their

friends at the beach and the pool. Of course, they stayed socially-distant, but they were able to sit at their friends' penthouse, enjoy the scenery, and still stay together, but apart. When the coronavirus started spreading, they were in the states visiting their children, and they debated staying in the states or coming home to Mexico. Randi happily said, "We made the right decision. It was still better here. Everything is better with an ocean breeze."

According to the Harritys, they feel very safe at TAO Mexico. They feel very comfortable both going out and staying within the double-gated entry community. They have good restaurants around and an international airport nearby where they can get anywhere within a few hours, and great healthcare. They have both had surgeries in Mexico and found that all of the doctors speak English, and the costs were a fraction of that in the U.S. As a matter of fact, during their first year, they kept their U.S. health insurance but then gave it up as they were so happy with the healthcare option in Mexico.

David and Randi were fortunate and put themselves in a good position to enjoy their lives. They advise others to come and try it first for a few months to see if you like it. "But don't wait until you're too old to enjoy it!"

David and Randi Harrity

TAO Mexico in Akumal, Mexico, between Playa del Carmen and Tulum

To see videos of interviews, go to ideal-living.com/ happy-homeowner-interviews/

"It's really good to see that when the world is going crazy, there are rocksolid people here at Keowee Key doing good in the community. The people are very generous and giving," said Lenore Malin. Lenore and her husband moved to Keowee Key in 2009 from the Washington, D.C. area to escape the traffic and find a lower tax area with better weather. She says, "I'm always so touched by the goodness and generosity of the people down here in general. Maybe it's because we are more relaxed and less stressed than in D.C., where everything is hustle, hustle, hustle, all the time."

She said that during the stay-at-home orders, the Keowee Key's board of directors "has been very proactive in keeping us safe, closing down some of the amenities as needed, and implementing social distancing when reopening. I think we are much less isolated than other communities because we still have that sense of neighbors. I believe in America. I believe we are forwardthinking, and we will get through it. "

During non-COVID times, Lenore is very involved in the community. She is an avid tennis player and enjoys walking the trails and spending time with the Keowee Key members. She says, "We are blessed to be on this beautiful lake [Lake Keowee]. We're pretty active. Well, the whole community is pretty active. I always say that when you come to Keowee Key and you want to play tennis, you don't just get 14 tennis courts, you get 150 tennis friends, and even more with pickleball. Pickleball is growing, and we're putting in even more courts. I know it sounds a little corny, but we really are a family here."

“I believe in America. I believe we are forward-thinking, and we will get through it.”

Lenore Malin Keowee Key, Salem, SC KeoweeKeySC.com

"We're pretty active here. We love to bicycle whenever we can. We go down to the river and walk on the RiverWalk in River Bluffs. We love to kayak. And, it's only nine minutes to downtown Wilmington, and we go to enjoy the nightlife with all the restaurants and concerts. Of course, the area beaches are not far from us at all," said Jim. He and his wife Judy relocated from Naperville, IL, just outside of Chicago. He continued, "We don't miss the commute or the taxes. Our property taxes are about one-tenth of what we paid in Illinois."

Judy added, "Everyone is so friendly and neighborly. It's a great community to live in for sure. We both work from home, which is one of the reasons we moved here. We have open areas here. We can be separated from people, but we can still be social. During the stay-at-home orders, we've still been able to get out and enjoy walking, biking, and the weather. We've had great weather. We've been able to interact with some of our friends. We will go to each others' homes and sit on the patio (socially-distant, of course) and bring our own bottle of wine. We sit on the patio every day for lunch. The grocery stores have remained stocked, and people try to keep their distance and wear masks."

"We have made very close friendships in such a short time. When the quarantine wasn't in effect, we would go to Porches Cafe for live events with music on the weekends for good food and socializing," said Judy.

Jim and Judy Gulley | River Bluffs, Wilmington, NC | RiverBluffsLiving.com

“The minute we drove

Life on the Chesapeake

and Rob Harris | Bay Creek, Cape Charles, VA BayCreekLife.com

"Bay Creek is so peaceful," said Patsy. Located on the eastern shore of Virginia and on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay, Bay Creek offers just the lifestyle that Patsy and Rob Harris were looking for. They lived in Virginia Beach and had a home in Bay Creek for 10 years but decided three years ago to make it their primary residence.

During the shelter-in-place order, Patsy says, "We can bike to town and walk around the town. We both still work. I walk with ladies that live here, and sometimes I walk by myself. When not social distancing, there is a very active pickleball club, and we play golf and go to the beach and the pool."

By April 23rd, Patsy was already able to play golf again with her ladies group, as long as they took their own golf carts. "That way, we could be together but separate. Bay Creek worked within the stay at home parameters to make it fun!"

"We've been lucky. It's been nice to still be able to do things and to have some fun. I feel bad for other people. As there have been no bans on boating, we can still take our boat out. It will be fun when this is all over, and we can have friends up to play golf and pickleball."

Rob says, "We've met a lot of great people that we've become very good friends with. It's something I wasn't really expecting. A lot of people are here for similar reasons. They enjoy the outdoors, golf, boating, and the beach. It's very easy to live here in Bay Creek. Everyone here is from somewhere else."

They encourage others to take a discovery weekend when they can see what life is like at Bay Creek.

The Peninsula on the Indian River Bay

Villas from the $300s in Millsboro, DE

Kindleton

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Single Family Homes, Villas and Townhomes from the upper $100s in Millsboro, DE Acadia Landing

Single Family Homes in Lewes, DE

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Villas from the mid $300s in Angola, DE

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Sea Oaks Village

Luxury Townhomes in West Ocean City, MD

Patsy

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Moving in the middle of the quarantine might not sound like the prime time, but John and Mary Nist have had a great experience in relocating from New Jersey to Lakewood Ranch near Sarasota, FL. The entire process went extremely quickly. When John retired, he knew that he wanted warmer weather. They knew they wanted to live in Florida—they knew the tax advantages of relocating.

In December and January, they looked in earnest; by February 25, they had closed on their home in Lakewood Ranch (LWR). And, their home in New Jersey went under contract on February 27. They purchased a builder's spec home, so they were able to speed things along. And, on May 1, Mary's birthday, they moved into their new home in LWR.

Moving During the Pandemic

John and Mary Nist Lakewood Ranch, FL LakewoodRanch.com

So, during the stay-at-home orders in New Jersey, they were able to sell their home and spent their time packing. By the time they finished unpacking their new home in Florida, the stayat-home order had been lifted. The Nists thought they would downsize but still ended up with 2,900 square foot home with a three-car garage and a lanai with a pool and spa on a nature preserve lot where they can watch the sunset. They are enjoying their new home and the LWR community. Mary has even been able to make new friends and walks five to seven miles every morning with ladies from their neighborhood. Mary assures us they keep their distance while they are walking.

Lakewood Ranch is a master-planned multi-generational amenity community that is more like a city, with multiple neighborhoods, schools, 55+ neighborhoods, golf courses, pools, shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants, and more social clubs than you can imagine. According to the Nists, "You can't ask for anything more."

55+ with benefits

LIFE PLAN COMMUNITIES ARE THE FUTURE

Peace of Mind. We certainly place a premium on that quality these days. And, to a large extent, our homes are the source of that peace.

by Warren Grant

For those living in a gated 55+ active adult community, there is plenty of security found in one’s home, while complemented by a myriad of recreational and cultural amenities, lifelong friends, and the highly valued familiarity of your surroundings as you age gracefully in place.

But, imagine if you added in the bonus of onsite Lifecare, right there in the community, and available if and when you need it at no extra cost. Now that’s peace of mind.

And, it also might be the future of active adult living, a great new option for people 55 and over looking for a vibrant place to live, while keeping their quality of life for years to come.

That future is called a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), or life plan community, but you

can just think of it as a 55+ with benefits…great benefits. The CCRC offers a continuum of care – from independent living, assisted living/personal care, memory care, and skilled nursing care – all met within the community.

You might guess that a predominance of life plan communities would be located in, say, Florida, Arizona, or the Carolinas, but the state with the most CCRCs in the country is Pennsylvania. And, leading that state’s offerings are Willow Valley Communities in Lancaster, PA, an intimate and welcoming town that was recently ranked by U.S. News as #3 on its “Best Places to Retire” list, ahead of Asheville, NC, and Port St. Lucie, FL.

Lancaster is located 90 minutes west of Philadelphia and is framed by the Susquehanna River in the heart of Amish farm country. In fact, the community was founded

Make Your Next Destination Premier Senior Living

At Willow Valley Communities, residents have limitless opportunities to pursue exceptional lives. Here, 55-plus living is reimagined with award-winning luxury amenities, over 90 smartly appointed floor plans, and 12 distinctive culinary venues to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Plus, it’s all on a stunning 210 acre campus 3 miles outside of the culturally rich city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, named among the top 3 retirement destinations in the U.S.

We invite you to learn more.

by the Thomas family, who opened Willow Valley Communities in 1984, leaning on decades of prior service and hospitality experience in Lancaster to ensure its success.

Willow Valley Communities is comprised of two campuses, Lakes and Manor, which are about a mile apart and encompass 210 glorious acres of courtyards, gardens, ponds, fountains, walking paths, gazebos, and a natural wetland area. Residential offerings range from apartments to villas and townhomes, with 90 distinct floor plans.

The campuses share an amazing bounty of amenities, including 12 culinary outlets scattered throughout and a vibrant clubhouse, complete with an outdoor pool, a fitness center with a team of professional trainers, tennis and pickleball courts, a golf simulator, a vintage game arcade, and a six-lane bowling alley.

The campuses also share a stunning 80,000 sq. ft. cultural center complete with a full-service day spa, an indoor aquatic center, and a 500-seat theater that buzzes almost nightly with regional and national entertainers. There is also a ballroom, craft and art studios, woodworking and carpentry shops, and gardening plots that showcase the talents of the community members.

For larger events, the rustic special event venue, Chautauqua Hall, is perfect for community gatherings, square dances, and the like.

Don and Vivian Doolittle’s two-bedroom apartment has a view of Chautauqua Hall on

the Manor Campus. They used the comprehensive Design Studio at Willow Valley Communities to pick out finishes to personalize their home.

The Doolittles are a delightful couple who retired from Bergen County, NJ, to a modest development near Charleston, SC, in 2002. As some ailments began to emerge in recent years, they looked into a CCRC in the area. That’s when their son, Don Jr., who works in Lancaster, insisted they come up and tour Willow Valley Communities. The rest is history.

With their children close by in Lancaster, Maryland, and New Jersey, Vivian is happiest when the grandchildren come to visit. Here’s how she describes her perfect day. “First the family would go to the pool, have a poolside lunch at the Clubhouse Café, then go play pickleball and the arcade games. Later we all meet for an outdoor barbeque picnic at Chautauqua Hall. Back to our apartment for dessert, then go bowling ‘til 9:30.” Sounds like grandmother heaven!

Vivian is dealing with some lower back issues. She needs to have surgery but can recuperate if needed at the supportive living facility at Willow Valley Communities before getting back to the apartment. And, with a short walk, Don can be right by her side during her recuperation.

Soon to be under construction is the newest residential offering at Willow Valley Communities, SouthPointe Village, 120 luxury apartments on the Lakes Campus. These apartments will be 2 BR/2.5 baths or 2 BR/2.5 baths w/ study. They are available now for pre-sale.

For more information on Willow Valley Communities, call 800-770-5445 or visit online at www.WillowValleyCommunities.org.

Don and Vivian Doolittle, Willow Valley Communities residents

Where You Live Affects Your Behavior

(Caution: This is a Biased Column!)

by Jan Cullinane

Okay, you’ve been warned. Usually, when writing a column, I cite experts, studies, and usually throw in a few anecdotes and several examples to make my point. But, this column is personal: I’m going to discuss our choice of where to live after my now-retired CPA husband and I (I can work remotely) relocated more than a dozen years ago. And, fast-forwarding, how this decision made social distancing so much easier.

Back in 1999, when researching my first retirement book, I came across a new gated community that would ultimately grow to about 800 single-family homes that fit the bill for the kind of lifestyle we wanted. The development was in a warm-weather state (Florida), it was a new gated community (people would be eager to make new friends), and it was situated on two miles of Atlantic oceanfront (love the ocean). The location lacked the traffic issues of a big city (been there, done that), had proximity to good medical care (Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville), and there was reasonable retail (I’m not a big shopper, so it was more than adequate). There are several accessible airports to meet our need for leisure travel, my work commitments, and visiting family (and they love coming to visit us!). It boasted walking/biking/hiking trails, golf, tennis courts, pools, and a robust club environment with lots of activities.

In other words, we chose an environment that was not only beautiful, but one that practically begged us to be active both in the neighborhood and in the greater community: to be outside, to form new friendships, to volunteer, to make it easy to get around, to feel secure, and to host family/visitors. We grew up in the Washington, D.C. area, and several transfers by my husband’s company resulted in living not only in Maryland, but also in New Jersey and Ohio. My husband and I had made a list of the “non-negotiables” we had to have in a community, and this master-planned community checked all of our boxes. It was a “Goldilocks’” choice: just right!

The community we chose was represented at the Ideal-Living Resort and Retirement Shows. Full disclosure – I conducted “Secrets for a Successful Retirement” seminars for Ideal-Living for a number of years for attendees at the Real Estate shows. And, of course, I write the “Healthy Living” column for Ideal-Living. I was – and am – a big believer and supporter of their innovative model of connecting potential buyers with desirable communities.

So, fast-forward from 1999 to 2020, where “social distancing” is a new buzzword. We still live in the same community/same house with absolutely no regrets. Practicing social distancing is easy to do within and outside our community (at the time I'm writing this article, it’s been our way of life for more than two months). We ride our bikes and/or walk on the many sidewalks, streets, and paths of our neighborhood and the surrounding area and can walk on our uncrowded beach, or visit parks (now re-opened), easily maintaining our six feet of separation. Excellent year-round weather (yup, it IS hot in the summer, but we always have the ocean breeze) prevents us from feeling trapped – although our home, with its beautiful ocean views, is hardly a prison. We have a grocery store two miles away –again, a bike ride (I have a basket) along a path that tunnels through beautiful oaks and palm trees makes food shopping a pleasure – as I mentioned earlier, I’m not a big shopper. We have a lot of friends in our community; Happy hours with a small group in our driveway or by the pool makes it easy to be “apart together” during this quarantine. Although we love to travel, sheltering within our community and being physically active and maintaining strong local friendships has made this pandemic much easier for us. Of course, we recognize we are lucky to be healthy and have the means to stay at home for an extended timeframe if necessary. A long but drivable distance (roughly 12 hours) has enabled family to come and visit if they cannot/prefer not to fly.

Back in 1999, when we purchased our home, there was, of course, no need or thought of social distancing. Who knew that choosing a place that fit what we wanted in a community would serve us so well during challenging circumstances, too? Environment shapes behavior; keep that in mind when choosing a place to live.

Jan Cullinane is an award-winning retirement author, speaker, and consultant. Her current book is The Single Woman’s Guide to Retirement (AARP/Wiley).

Medicine on Your Plate or in Your Cup:

FOODS THAT FIGHT INFLAMMATION

by Jan Cullinane

Looking for a delicious, natural way to better health? It could be as close as your fridge, your spice rack, your garden, your local grocer, or farmers' market.

The “germ theory” of disease, generally accepted since the 1880s, is that “germs” – such as bacteria (e.g., strep throat), viruses (e.g., coronavirus), fungi (e.g., athlete’s foot), protozoa (e.g., malaria), and prions (e.g., mad cow disease) cause disease. This realization spurred the development of antibiotics, anti-viral/anti-fungal/anti-protozoan drugs, pasteurization, vaccinations, and an emphasis on public health initiatives such as handwashing, receiving regular dental care, and coughing/

sneezing into your sleeve to prevent the spread of these “germs.”

But, other “non-germ” diseases – sometimes called the “diseases of civilization” – have gained ground. Harvard Medical School calls the major ones “the four horsemen of the medical apocalypse:” coronary artery disease, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer's. A pill or a shot usually cannot eliminate or prevent these kinds of diseases.

When our body is threatened – whether by a disease-causing

The “Germ Theory” and the “Inflammatory Theory” of Disease

organism, smoke, chemicals, or other substances, and even advancing age – our immune system initiates a response that involves white blood cells and the products they make, including antibodies. This inflammatory response may rid our body of illness. Still, if these inflammatory responses continue to simmer at a low level in our body, the result can be a disease that is not caused by a specific organism. For example, our body’s response to rid itself of disease may produce substances that can damage our DNA, creating mutations in our genes that could lead to cancer. The inflammatory response may cause our body to attack parts of itself; diseases of this type include ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and gout. Ironically, our body’s weapons against “invaders” may help other diseases form or flourish.

This model of disease is sometimes described as a “smoldering flame” of inflammation.

Tamping down the “smoldering flames”

What can we eat to help tamp down these “smoldering flames?” Research has shown the following examples, that are high in antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients, Omega-3 fatty acids, and/or phytochemicals (plant compounds with therapeutic activities), are helpful:

Fruits: Berries such as strawberries, cherries, raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries; oranges; grapes; tomatoes (technically tomatoes are a fruit, even though we don’t think of them that way)

Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, radishes, and cauliflower; spinach; onions

Grains and Pulses: Oats and brown rice; pulses (beans, peas, and lentils)

Spices: Garlic, cinnamon, black pepper, ginger, saffron, turmeric (piperine in black pepper helps absorb curcumin, the most active ingredient in turmeric), cloves, and cayenne pepper

Fish: Fatty fish like wild salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines; anchovies; tuna (canned chunk light tuna has lower mercury levels than “solid white” albacore, which is a larger species of tuna)

Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, peanuts (peanuts are actually a legume, but including them in this list), chia seeds, and flaxseeds.

(As an aside, my usual breakfast is Greek yogurt with blueberries, pecans, walnuts, and sliced almonds. I feel I’m starting the day with a delicious dose of anti-inflammatory foods.)

Liquids: Water, tea, coffee; tart cherry, pineapple, and lemon juice; alcohol in moderation (if you have gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or other medical issues, alcohol may be a no-no for you)

Oils: Extra virgin olive oil, fish oil, grapeseed oil, and avocado oil

Chocolate: Dark chocolate (in moderation) with 70–85% cocoa (Yum, I like to save my favorite food for last)

And, focus on fiber by eating whole, unprocessed foods. It’s estimated that 95% of Americans don’t get enough fiber. The recommendation is 25 grams/day for women and 38 grams/ day for men; U.S. average consumption is 16 grams per day. Fiber not only lowers inflammation, but it nourishes our gut bacteria, slows the absorption of glucose which helps control blood sugar levels, and helps us poop better. By eating more of the foods listed above, you’ll increase your fiber level without even trying.

Anti-inflammatory behaviors

In addition to what we ingest, there are behaviors that boost our bodies’ ability to fight inflammation. This includes regular exercise (both aerobic and muscle-strengthening), managing our stress levels (perhaps through yoga, tai chi, and positive social interactions), controlling our weight (even a 10% weight loss can reduce inflammation), and striving for quality sleep (aim for at least 7 hours/night).

We need to try our best to eat more anti-inflammatory foods and practice more anti-inflammatory behaviors. It’s amazing how small changes will make a big difference in controlling the “smoldering flames” of inflammation. Your body will thank you…and don’t forget the dark chocolate!

This well-established private community encompasses 2,000 acres of gently rolling foothills that have witnessed centuries of history that can be traced back to the Native American tribes. Mount Vintage has been carefully planned to enhance the natural beauty and tranquility of the setting Just a few miles from Aiken, SC and Augusta, GA, and pretty close to perfect. It is truly one of a kind. An amazing offering of amenities provide an active lifestyle while the blending of understated elegance and casual comfort creates the ultimate in easy living. To learn more visit mountvintage.com or call 844-428-8330.

Homesites from $39,000 Patio Homesites from $29,000 Spec Homes from $300’s

TOWN CENTER/ATHLETIC CLUB includes swim, tennis, fitness, bocce ball, lending library, event/meeting spaces and community garden

235 Mount Vintage Plantation Drive North Augusta, SC 29860

GOLF CLUB 27-hole golf course, state-of-the-art practice facility, Pro Shop, Grille and locker rooms

Staying fit while staying far enough apart Arms-Length Activities

by Sam Crawford

Weight gain and stiff joints are sure signs of excessive binge-watching these days. Let’s face it: even if you’ve remained virus-free, there’s a good chance that keeping up your physical and mental health has been a challenge in recent months unless you’ve been able to get out of the house and enjoy the fabulous spring and summer weather. So, turn off the TV, get off the couch, and venture out to burn some calories and renew your spirit. Here are some fresh-air activities (and a few for the indoors) that can be enjoyed alone or safely with family members and friends:

Walking, jogging, and bicycling along neighborhood streets or in public spaces are the easiest ways to get some outdoor exercise, either alone or in tandem. Most planned communities offer miles of maintained paths that make it easy to social distance.

Golf is a sport that can be played alone or with companions in single-person carts. Keep a healthy distance on the tees and greens, concede all of the short putts to minimize gatherings around the pin, and spread out at the 19th hole.

Tennis and pickleball players can work up a competitive sweat while serving only their own marked balls and otherwise letting the racquet or paddle make contact. Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport among those aged 50+ for many years, and it’s a great way to remain social.

Fishing for many is a solitary activity or can be enjoyed with other anglers at a safe distance on a dock or along a shoreline. Greater care should be taken when sharing a boat with non-family members.

Kayak or canoe in a one-person craft, enjoying the local wildlife, passing greenery, and viewing sunny skies with fellow travelers on the water. Rivers, lakes, and waterways provide the perfect opportunity to get away from it all.

Surfing and paddleboarding are also sports that feature a single rider on board and have the added benefit that one of the skills is not running into each other under any circumstance.

Swimming isn’t recommended as a solo activity, but the “buddy system” doesn’t mean that everyone has to be in the water at the same time. Make sure to apply your own sunscreen.

Try something new! Croquet, bocce ball, and Frisbee golf are just a few of the low-impact outdoor sports that can be fun to learn and are played with some space between competitors.

Yoga and similar exercise routines that involve stretching and deep breathing can be done on a porch or deck for a completely natural experience or on a mat in front of a window if you prefer privacy and air-conditioning.

Outperform your dreams

There’s a saying on Dataw Island, that “Life flows gently, with the tide.” From the first moment crossing the island’s causeway, lined with palm trees and moss-draped live oaks, members from across the U.S. are inspired to make this special place their Home.

A hidden gem of the coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina, Dataw Island is a private community catered to the active lifestyle. Whether choosing to participate in one of the sports memberships or choosing to stay active through volunteer work, fine and performing arts, social clubs, or one of the community’s numerous clubs, Dataw Island calls those who appreciate a sense of community. A place that harkens back to the “old times” when we

Dataw Island

all know our neighbors and can borrow a cup of sugar. A place where staff are treated like family. A place where we feel truly at Home.

For those who are called by the water, Dataw Island keeps you close to the sea. Just three miles from the Intracoastal Waterway, boating to the Atlantic Ocean is an enjoyable and scenic 30 minute ride, although many fishermen are content to cast a line or fly fish right here in the coastal waters of the Sea Islands. A full-service marina is complemented by several community docks - drop a crab trap, launch a kayak or just relax … and appreciate a beautiful coastal sunrise or sunset.

Gardening and other yardwork activities can be among the most productive types of outdoor exercise. Clear an overgrown area and create a flower bed or plant a native-species tree. If space is more limited, start an herb garden or plant tomatoes in a container on the patio.

Dance like no one is watching. Remember when you told your partner that you’d go out dancing sometime, while secretly hoping that night would never come? So, put on some music and practice your moves at home, thereby almost fulfilling a promise and totally avoiding public embarrassment.

The Sunday drive of childhood memories may not really be exercise, but it’s a great way to shake the claustrophobic blues any day of the week. Take the scenic route to a nearby town, find a shady parking spot to have a picnic lunch, and drive back home without ever leaving the car.

Virtual tours of new retirement communities or model homes may be lacking in physical vigor but will help to keep those sunny relocation dreams alive for the better days to come. You just might feel like checking them out in person if you’ve found some healthy new activities in the meantime.

Membership is flexible, to suit your lifestyle. Sports packages are elected annually and can include golf, tennis, and croquet. You’ll also enjoy the island’s newest options – bocce and pickleball, as well as a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, and several on-site dining options.

Dataw Island. Created by nature … and reserved, just for you. Visit today and start living your dreams!

Experience Dataw: (843) 838-3838 | Dataw.com

DIVING INTO LANDFALL’S COASTAL COUNTRY CLUB KITCHEN WITH CHEF BRIAN DENNIS

by Fanny Slater

Chef Brian Dennis, CEC® Executive Chef Country Club of Landfall Wilmington, NC

Even a worldwide pandemic couldn’t slow down Chef Brian Dennis from cranking out over 200 buttery lobsters for loyal members of the Landfall community this past spring. Though the gifted chef began perfecting his culinary craft in the club industry in Georgia, after four years at Wilmington’s prestigious Country Club of Landfall—he’s now well-versed in North Carolina’s most celebrated coastal equation:

Fried plus fish equals happy faces.

A sweet, tasty, Southern tale that spans from scrambled eggs to curly fries to bison short ribs.

I read that you grew up working in your father’s restaurants. What are some of your earliest childhood memories in the kitchen?

My family still tells stories of me at five years old getting up early in the morning, pushing a chair up to the stove, and cooking my own scrambled eggs.

My dad and uncle were in the fast-food industry, which introduced me to the kitchen. I was the fry guy, and they would give me $10 to play in the arcade all day. As far as food memories, those go back to my Lebanese grandma. I still remember watching her roll her dolmas.

Tell me about the culinary journey that led you down the path from “fry guy” to Certified Executive Chef® at Wilmington’s most esteemed country club?

In high school, I started getting into the corporate scene (Longhorn’s, Outback, etc.) as a grill cook. I was a great grill cook when I was young!

After bouncing around doing that, I went to culinary school in 1997 at the Art Institute of Atlanta and graduated two years later. My first job right out of there was at a country club in Georgia.

Georgia is obviously known for Low Country cuisine, but North Carolina has its own Southern culinary style. How would you define its personality in your own words?

Especially being coastal, these people love their fish, man! My whole menu could be fish, and they would be happy. Georgia is more Southern. More meat and potatoes. Here, if it’s fried, they eat it and if it’s fish—they eat it. They’re loyal to their seafood and the local seafood markets, so we use them as much as possible.

You were immediately drawn into the country club environment right out of culinary school. What was it that charmed you about the clubs versus quintessential restaurants?

I had to have new challenges all the time, and in country clubs you have weddings, golf tournaments, and events. Menus are always changing. In a smaller restaurant kitchen, it’s a daily grind every day, and that just wasn’t for me.

I did it for a while, but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I also grew up in a golf family, so I liked being around that environment. Both of my parents played, and we were actually members of a club when I was younger. So, I enjoyed surrounding myself with that.

I also love getting to know members and building relationships. It keeps me entertained, it keeps my brain moving, and I’m constantly getting to put my stamp on things.

Prosciutto Wrapped Grouper “Chowder”

Yield: 1 serving

INGREDIENTS

1 ea. 6 oz. Fresh Grouper

1 ea. Thin Slice Prosciutto

5-6 ea. Littleneck Clams

5-6 ea. Medium Russet Potato, poached gently until cooked

3-4 ea. Peeled Grape Tomatoes, blanched, shocked, peeled

2 ea. Shitake Mushrooms, julienned

DIRECTIONS

Grouper

½ c. Clam Juice

½ c. Heavy Cream

Pinch Celery Seed

Pinch Kosher Salt

Small Pinch Black Pepper

1 dash Tabasco

4-5 ea. Leaves Fresh Tarragon

1 tbs. Olive Oil

1 tbs. Whole Butter

1 ea. Fresh Thyme Sprig

1. Season the grouper with salt and pepper, then wrap with a slice of prosciutto, and set aside.

2. Heat small sauté pan to medium-high heat; add olive oil.

3. Gently place grouper in pan, and sear on all sides.

4. Add fresh thyme and whole butter, and allow to finish in a 400-degree oven, about 5-8 minutes.

5. Baste with butter a couple times during the process.

6. Remove from oven, and allow to rest on a paper towel.

Sauce

1. Place a small saucepan over a medium heat.

2. Add clams, clam juice, mushrooms, cream, celery seed, salt, pepper, tarragon, and Tabasco.

3. Cook until clams open and sauce is reduced by half, it should thicken slightly.

4. If sauce is not at desired thickness, remove clams and continue to reduce. You do not want to overcook clams.

5. Add potatoes at the end to heat through.

To Plate

Place cooked grouper in a bowl, place clams and potatoes around grouper, and pour sauce around. Garnish with peeled tomatoes. Garnish, shown in picture are fried leeks and micro greens.

Landfall has a few different dining venues. What’s the vibe at each one?

There are two restaurants in the main clubhouse. 800 Prime is the upscale steakhouse. It’s got all the classics as well as a “Chef’s Creations” page of the menu that changes every week.

Jack’s Bar & Grille is our casual dining area, so you’ve got your fan favorites like club sandwiches and French dips— but we also do lots of fresh catches, briskets, and pork. We try to please the masses there more or less.

What inspires you when you’re writing menus? Cookbooks? Food television? Travel?

I do have a lot of cookbooks, of course, but nowadays, I love to hop online or on social media and pull up menus. I look at everything from nice restaurants in culinary hot spots to gastropubs and everything in between.

I also have a network of club chefs, maybe 15 of us, who I’ve been in a text chain with for many years. Through this pandemic especially, we’ve been talking about what everybody’s doing with takeout and marketplace meals. You've got to stay in touch and stay on, or you’ll fall behind.

How has COVID-19 affected the club’s ability to feed the members?

We shut down the in-house dining like everybody else, but we went straight, hard takeout and actually started a marketplace where people could do their grocery shopping.

I have at least a hundred items on this list from produce to toiletries to hand sanitizer. We’ve been able to do same-day pick up six days a week.

We’re making at least 10 varieties of casseroles that we’ll do frozen or hot, and we’ve been doing family meals as well. At one point, we were doing over 200 meals, even lobster! We cooked them, cut them in half, cracked the claws, and sent them out with butter and bread ready to go!

Luckily, the clubhouse is big enough to where—now at 50% capacity—we’ve still been able to do over one hundred covers a night. And on top of that with all the to-go orders, we’ve been serving plenty of food to all these people trapped inside the Landfall gates!

What are you most looking forward to when some normalcy returns?

As far as normalcy goes, we’re planning on bringing back brunch soon. It’ll be interesting to see what our new normal is. Once we reopen the steakhouse, get our banquets back, and keep that crew busy, things will start to feel more normal. It’s just filling the downtime that we have now.

Landfall’s Wine Club has always been a fun benefit for members. Did those have to come to a halt during the pandemic?

Unfortunately, we haven’t been able to do them, but we do have one on the calendar in a few weeks, and we’re ready for it! That’s when I get to play with food. We do them every month, and I’ve been here for four years, so I definitely refer back to old menus to make sure I don’t repeat!

When it comes to the wine dinners where you really get to flex your culinary creativity, what’s your process for coming up with menus that are different and exciting each time?

I usually get the wine two to three weeks in advance and taste them first. I take about a week to slowly write the menu, update it, and tweak it. I know my audience, and I like to give the groups new ideas, but I know not to go too extreme.

For example, they’re not into scallop carpaccio or anything too gamey, and a lot of the same people come back. They’re not shy to tell me what they didn’t like, and that all goes back to the relationships here. They’re honest with their feedback, and I have thick skin! I’ve been doing this for a long time. I take what they say and run with it.

What advice do you have for home cooks who aren’t very comfortable in the kitchen but want to entertain and improve their skills?

Keep it simple, and don’t try to do too much. I think one of the biggest struggles for a home cook is timing. They get caught up cooking one thing too soon and then have to wait for something else to finish.

Working on timing, and having everything ready at the same time is important.

Free Up Cash to Help Fund Your

Retirement

by Ken Updegrave

The events of 2020 have left almost all of us shaken and concerned about our financial futures. Whether that is due to an unexpected job loss or fear of having to postpone a planned retirement due to market volatility, these concerns are all very real to you. When you are preparing to make a big move, like beginning retirement or a new home, uncertainty impacts your decision making on many levels. Do we currently feel confident that we can safely make the moves we want to make to live the lives we want?

These decisions might impact the safety of our health and wealth during a period of rapid change. The financial markets have largely recovered, and home prices in most areas are continuing to increase. That might give you either comfort or pause. No matter which way you view current conditions, if you are getting prepared to make a move, you realize housing is going to be a significant portion of your retirement costs. That is the case whether you are looking to fund it from your accumulated equity immediately or by financing it with your retirement cash flow over time. That de-

TN Land Realty, LLC - Broker

cision can be critical in being able to live the lifestyle you want and be able to navigate the inevitable bumps in your retirement plan. If you aren't aware of all your options and know that you can pay cash for your home or take out a monthly mortgage payment, you may be missing an opportunity that could be life-changing for you.

There is another loan program available that many people have never been made aware of that is designed exclusively for you, the home buyer that is better than 62 years of age and buying their primary residence. This loan requires a one time down payment that is based on the youngest buyer's age and current interest rates but is

Enjoy A New Option for Retirement

currently anywhere from about 40 to 55% of the purchase price and then requires no monthly mortgage payments after that. If you were planning on paying all cash, you have freed up a sizeable amount of that cash that can now be used for your retirement travel, recreation, or entertainment goals. If you were planning to finance part of your purchase price along with a significant down payment, you also have freed up a big amount of monthly cash flow that you can also use for lifestyle choices.

Learning more about the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage could be the key to living the best retirement that you can envision. Why not invest a little time and learn about all your options? What have you got to lose?

The Traditional Options:

• Pay cash for your new home and reduce your retirement liquidity

• Use traditional financing and increase your monthly expenses

A New Option:

The HECM for Purchase Program

• Bring a one-time down payment of 40-60%

• Never make a monthly mortgage payment

For more information on how to buy your dream retirement home with the HECM for Purchase Program, please contact us:

Ron Heath | NMLS: 450503

HECM for Purchase Specialist

Phone (919) 412-0686

rheath@mutualmortgage.com

5580 Centerview Dr., Suite 115, Raleigh, NC 27606

Ken Updegrave | NMLS: 109435

HECM for Purchase Specialist

Phone (919) 567-1004

kupdegrave@mutualmortgage.com

5580 Centerview Dr., Suite 115, Raleigh, NC 27606

MORTGAG E

Borrower must occupy home as primary residence and remain current on property taxes, homeowner’s insurance, the costs of home maintenance, and any HOA fees. Synergy One Lending Inc. d/b/a Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, NMLS 1025894. 3131 Camino Del Rio N 190, San Diego, CA 92108. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and the document was not approved by HUD, FHA or any Government Agency. Subject to Credit Approval. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

MOOMR.1119.11

Things to Consider When Deciding to Move Out of a High-Tax State

One of the top reasons surveyed for moving out of one's existing residency state after retirement is taxes. If you currently live in a high-tax state, you may have considered one of the reasons for moving is to take advantage of lower taxes. Unfortunately, the decision isn’t as simple as just finding a state that does not have a state income tax. Therefore, Ideal-LIVING spoke with Financial Advisor Lawrence Tundidor, AIF®, AAMS®, AWMA® of the Tundidor Wealth & Investment Group to find out where the potential tax savings may lie and what five things to consider when deciding to make the move.

Income Levels and Type of Income

According to the website, "The Balance," all but seven states have a form of income tax. For those individuals that plan on having a high level of income in retirement, the exact tax burden must be considered and compared to their existing tax jurisdiction. Some states have a flat tax on all income, while others will tax higher levels of income disproportionately higher. The type of income an individual plans to receive can also have an impact on whether that income is even taxed at all. For example, some states will not tax distributions from Retirement accounts, Pensions, or Social Security but will tax dividend income and capital gains. Other states offer a portion of an individual's income to be exempt from taxes up to a limit. It is important to have a professionally written Financial Plan and Income spend-down timeline to determine how much income one will need in retirement year

by year to quantify the tax burden accurately.

Property Taxes

For many, a potential reduction in property taxes is easily the most quantifiable savings they can realize. According to the Treasury department with the passage of the Tax Cuts and Job Acts Bill, those filing beginning in 2018 saw a cap on state and local tax deductions limited to $10,000 year. Not only are the taxes for many in some jurisdictions higher than the cap, but they are also used for many services that a retiree may no longer need or utilize, such as schools. With some states losing more residents per year than they gain, one may be able to conclude that taxes in those states may have to increase to cover the lost revenue. It is important to note that some states also impose a tax on property such as cars, boats, and RV’s, which must also be considered.

Insurance Costs

In some states, the cost of certain insurance like car insurance may be lower, but other insurances like homeowners or health insurance may be higher. In addition, one may need different types of insurance that they may not have needed in their previous state such as flood insurance or wind and hail coverage. Evaluate needs for coverage in retirement as well as minimum coverage laws in the state you are moving to which may be higher or lower than your current coverage.

Existing home’s ownership costs

Those considering a move after retirement may have lived in their existing property for many years. As properties age, they require a higher level of maintenance, and that cost that must be taken into account. Replacement and upgrades of windows, roof, HVAC, as well bathrooms and kitchens can be of considerable cost even if the existing home no longer has a mortgage. In contrast, when buying a new home, those expenses are deferred many years down the road.

Cost of Living

Many states, specifically those close to major metropolitan areas, have a higher cost of living than those states that are more attractive to retirees. While individuals typically live near those metropolitan areas in their working years, the burden of higher living costs can outweigh the benefits in retirement. Any savings from reducing living costs can be redirected to discretionary spending such as travel and leisure.

To learn more about the topic above, please attend Lawrence’s seminar held at the New Jersey Ideal-LIVING Virtual Expo in September. In the meantime, if you have any questions on your specific situation or would like to review your existing Financial Plan, feel free to contact Lawrence at LawrenceT@VoyaFA. com.

Investment adviser representative and registered representative of, and securities and investment advisory services offered through Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (member SIPC).Neither Voya Financial Advisors nor its representatives offer tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and legal advisors regarding your individual situation. Tundidor Wealth & Investment Group is not a subsidiary of nor controlled by Voya Financial Advisors.

CN1215080_0622

Community Living

Intergenerational, Four-Season Community

18-Hole Golf Course with Tees for All Levels, Tennis, Pickleball, Pool, Fitness Center, Winter Sports, Hiking/Walking Trails, and more

Close to Medical Facilities, Cultural and Educational Opportunities

Environmental Vitality

Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Golf Course

Property Oversight Committee

Healthy Lake with 6 Beaches

Economic Viability

AAA Gond Rating

Finance & Budget Committee Oversight

Capital and Operating Reserves

information: EastmanNH.org

Find Your Ideal... HOME

Many developers and builders have virtual home tours on their websites to help you discover new home styles without leaving your current home. If you would like to tour in person, communities can arrange home tours at your convenience.

COVID & THE ENVIRONMENT

COVID-19 has brought about a new normal for us all. We are learning to adjust to wearing masks, social distancing, and using Zoom to communicate to those closest to us and unfortunately for some, our coworkers. But, what has this new way of life meant for the world around us? How has our environment responded to this new and crazy series of events?

What’s going on?

Well, first of all, satellite images have shown significant decreases in air pollution. This drop is due in large part to areas in the world that have placed restrictions preventing travel in certain regions and limiting unnecessary trips outside of the home.

Transportation, particularly in cars and planes, is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, so with less to do and fewer places to go right now, our CO2 output is experiencing a bit of a decline. With this decline, air pollution has gone way down, waters are clearing up, and some forms of wildlife are taking this opportunity to enjoy the quiet.

What’s wrong?

Here is the issue. Although we are seeing worldwide dips in pollution now, as our economies reopen, we could be looking at emission increases to pre-pandemic levels or even higher. This is a pattern we have seen before with massive worldwide events. For example, CO2 levels experienced a measurable drop after the financial crisis in 2008, only to rise as the economy began to recover. According to the BBC, our atmosphere has also seen dips in greenhouse gases during World War II, the Spanish Flu, the Great Depression, and oil shocks. However, none of these events resulted in the establishment of long-term downward trends for carbon emissions. Our contributions to the climate crisis have consistently been climbing. So, while we are seeing good news right now, we shouldn’t hang our hats just yet.

Also, 2020 was supposed to be a year for world leaders to strategize on how to combat the climate crisis. At the UN’s annual climate summit, just under 200 leaders were set to announce new plans to reach goals set forth by the Paris Agreement. However, this meeting and many others surrounding environmental impacts planned for this year have been canceled. While sea-levels rise, melting ice, pollution, and rising global temperatures are more pressing concerns than ever before, this pandemic has both captured world leaders’ attention and made it more difficult than ever for them to come together on solutions to environmental issues.

Global leaders have also recently been under pressure to end or postpone climate change initiatives in light of recent events. For instance, the EPA has already begun to roll back regulations that would reduce carbon emissions and monitor emissions from businesses if their issues can be attributed to the crisis. The U.S. has also been accompanied by China, Brazil, and other countries in these kinds of actions. And, according to Human Rights Watch, even though it is easy to see why countries would be less stringent with environmental regulations in a time of a global health crisis, these sorts of rollbacks

can have both unintentional and disastrous impacts if these measures continue too far into the future.

What’s right?

Here is the good news. People are more open to retaining new habits when going through periods of momentous change. So, it may be possible for us to develop habits such as traveling less and creating less waste due to shortages that could positively impact our carbon footprints in a more sustainable way.

In addition, this time could potentially mark a movement toward cleaner energy. Given the current economic circumstances, some governments have the capability to provide more money in stimulus packages to solar and wind companies and incentivize businesses to cut down emissions. If these sorts of changes are put in place, we could reduce our reliance on fossil fuels for decades to come.

And, we have seen countries promise to ensure environmental quality even during this trying time. Notably, a spokesperson for the European Union confirmed that, even though the virus tops the priority list at the moment, the EU is still very much committed to implementing the European Green Deal, and the climate crisis will still be receiving the attention it deserves.

So, what does this all mean?

If we continue some of these patterns of behavior that we are establishing during this pandemic and are vigilant in our pursuits, we may be able to combat the rise that typically follows moments of international crisis. Keep in mind that we also need to check up on our leadership. Elections are coming up fast, so let your local and state leaders know that you care about our climate. And, make sure to vote. Focus on what you can do. Remember that wasting less and walking more might just be able to lead us into a brighter future.

10 Ideas To Build the Outdoor Living Space of Your Dreams

by Emily Hackeling

As a child, I spent many afternoons basking under the North Carolina sun on our back deck. One of my favorite memories is rocking away on the front porch listening to the late summer sky crack and pour all around us. It was a lucky way to grow up. And, it’s stuck with me today: any day spent outdoors is a day well spent. As much as I cherish my humble 900-square-foot steal of a San Francisco apartment, shelter-in-place has me spending a considerable amount of time daydreaming about outdoor living spaces.

Sipping morning coffee on a patio. Looking out from a balcony at night. Grilling barefoot during the golden hour. Walking through dewy grass to get the newspaper. Being able to get outside without walking down a hallway and three flights of stairs.

I spend my free time, which is plenty these days, thinking about the home I’ll build one day. It’ll have a big wrap-around porch, a fire pit for telling ghost stories at night, a hammock hanging from a big oak tree, and white jasmine vines climbing up the side of the back patio...it’s not a goal if you’re not aiming high, right?

If you’re like me, dreaming of your future outdoor oasis, or working on making the most of the yard you already have, these 10 outdoor living ideas can transform your space and make a “stay at home” order feel like a blessing.

Kolter Cresswind

K Hovnanian's Lakes at Cane Bay

Kolter Cresswind

1. Light it up

Tasteful lighting can make even the coldest concrete corner feel cozy. There are several types of lights that are gracing the covers of every home magazine lately: woven bamboo pendant lighting, solar string edison bulbs, and rechargeable LED hanging lamps.

2. Roast, grill, repeat

Whether you’re a grilled-peaches-and-asparagus or an Oscar-Meyer-Weiner type of person, a grilling station can transform your outdoor living space into the most-used part of your home. An alternative to the traditional grill? Try an outdoor pizza oven.

3. Campfire...without the camping

You can roast marshmallows and sleep in your own bed with a backyard fire pit. The great part about these are the plentiful options: you can purchase a fire pit table that you can light with the flip of a switch for some warm cozy goodness, or you can build a brick or stone pit directly in the ground. Either way you choose, you’ll open up your outdoor space for wintertime usage.

4. Dine in fresh air on the patio table

You don’t need to look up the weather forecast when you can have your morning coffee outside! Try a plain stained wooden table and metal chairs for a rustic look, a picnic table for a casual option, or a full teak table and chairs set for a more upscale look. When you’ve got space to sit and dine outside, you can mix up a regular weekday dinner to get some fresh air.

5.

Bring the outside in

You can easily make your living room or indoor dining area an outdoor space with an open floor plan and sliding doors. These are popular in modern homes or converted garages, where the garage door opens up to allow you to walk freely outside. You can also get floor-to-ceiling windows that fold and open up to bring the outdoors in on sunny days.

6.

Bring the bar to you

Why venture out on the town when you can make cocktails or crack open a beer in the comfort of your backyard? There are several ways you can create an outdoor bar space. If you’ve got plenty of room, try an overhanging roof, tiled floor, marble countertop, and built-in sink. Then line up fun bar stools on the other side for guests. If you’re tight on square footage, like me, then you can try an outdoor rolling bar cart to bring your martinis and margaritas on the patio for an afternoon.

7. Bring a taste of Gaudí to your home

While flowers come and go with the seasons, you can add a permanent splash of color to your outdoor space with bright tiles and mosaics. One of the most fun projects I’ve done came after a visit to Park Güell in Barcelona, where building after building is coated in gorgeous mosaics. You can easily and cheaply buy grout and old plates from Goodwill to smash. Try tiling the ground, the walls, the ceiling, or adding stepping stones through the yard as a colorful pathway.

ICI Homes

Kolter Cresswind

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark

8. Bring plants up high

Especially for those who are working with a deck or balcony space, hanging plants are an easy way to reinvigorate your outdoor space. There are endless varieties of hanging plants, so choose the ones that are right for your light source. Try the string of pearls hanging succulent, impatiens for a pop of color, or any kind of fern for a drapey green look.

9.

Shower under the sun

Outdoor showers aren’t just for dirty dogs or muddy children. With the right tiles, shower head, and privacy screens, you might prefer your outdoor shower to your indoor one.

10.

Knit your seating

Macrame is back. Now we’re seeing it all over outdoor living spaces — with knit or crochet plant hangers – but also with seating! Here’s another opportunity for a fun DIY project (or you can buy your own from Anthropologie). Whichever you choose, you won’t regret your afternoon naps and reading time spent swinging in the sun.

Not only is outdoor living space fun for decorating and living in — it’s also an investment. It has become even more precious in 2020. If you’re looking to transform your home for higher value later on, consider investing in your outdoor space — you’ll get to take advantage of it now, and you’ll get greater benefit from it later on when it comes time to sell.

Get Your Home in Shape to Sell

by Stephen Swart

What to do when you are ready to sell your house

So, you've decided to sell your house. Whether you are looking to retire somewhere warm, downsizing, or needing a place with more space before you can move on, you probably need to sell your existing house. Your house doesn't have to be perfect to sell, but here are some tips on ways to improve your home in the eyes of the buyers.

First Impressions Count

Do you ever recall driving by that house where the grass and bushes are all overgrown? How about broken shutters or a beat-up front door? The front yard and exterior are the gateway to your home. An unkempt look will often mean potential buyers never leave the car and seal the deal regardless of how lovely your house is on the interior. The first step to selling your house is: do the yard

work all around but especially in front. Make sure the lawn and bushes are properly trimmed. Plant a flowerbed or put in flower planters to add color and interest. Consider removing any outside slides, swings, or playhouses unless they are in good shape and go with the property. Also, fix or replace any shutters or other exterior fixtures that are broken. In fact, a modern light fixture at the front door is an inexpensive change that will have a big impact. If the walkway or entry is dirty, a good power wash can make it sparkle like new. Finally, consider painting the front door darker or brighter in gloss or semi-gloss to add a pop to the entryway.

To Paint or Not to Paint…That is the Question.

The answer is always maybe. Painting, according to USA Today, can increase sales price from one to three percent, so deciding to paint should be based on the value and expected return on your home. If the exterior is

in good shape, painting is not likely a good investment of time and money, but if the paint is dull, chalky, and chipped or damaged, it might be time to make that consideration. If the exterior is simply dirty, a power wash could just do the trick without painting. As for interiors, buyers are trending toward white and light neutral colors with greys and blues trending. If you have rooms with dirty paint or dark colors, especially in highly trafficked areas like the kitchen and living areas, fresh paint is a really good idea.

The Little Fixes Make All the Difference

There are so many opportunities to make little changes in your house that make big impacts. First off, fix all of those leaky faucets, cracked windowpanes, and broken or dirty light switch plates in your home. These are generally small, inexpensive DIY fixes but things buyers really notice. If you have old or outdated fixtures or ceiling fans, consider updating them. These are also generally inexpensive changes that really are an opportunity to take

what would be a negative impression and turn it into positive focal points for your potential buyers. YouTube has lots of DIY step-by-step instructions should you wish to make these changes yourself.

Big Jobs

Kitchen and bath renovations are the most expensive, but also offer the greatest return on your investment. Kitchen redesigns can cost on average anywhere from $25-$100 per square foot but, based on a report from Remodeling. HW.net, can return 81-93% in value. Time frames are generally three to six weeks, but your mileage may vary based on design complexity and appliances. The average bathroom renovation runs between $6,000 and $15,000, but can go much higher. One way to limit costs is to try to maintain the existing footprint. That way, expensive plumbing and electrical connections don't have to be moved. Also, refacing the cabinetry, new countertops, fixtures, and new appliances can provide a simple, faster update without the costs and headaches of a major renovation.

Time to Declutter

Your stuff is wonderful, well wonderful to you anyway. However, not everyone will see your collection of sports memorabilia, plates, antique shoes, etc., in the same light as you do. If you want to sell, it's time to pack away all the clutter. It's OK to have a tasteful accent piece here or there to provide interest, but most of it needs to go. Also, depersonalize by removing family or other personal photos. Potential buyers need to see and imagine themselves living there in your home, and with too much of your stuff there, they can’t.

Set the Stage

OK, after you declutter, you need to go further. Rooms should feel open and light. That means you should embrace the principle of less is more, furniture should fit the space, window coverings should enhance and let in light, and when in doubt, lighter is better than darker. If you can, replace dark couches and other big

The Shades

The blues of abundant waters flowing throughout this coastal region of North Carolina. The greens of our Bill Love-designed championship golf course.

It’s a picture perfect lifestyle, spent among friendly neighbors and fun-filled activities, including swimming, tennis, pickleball, a dog park and miles of walking and biking trails. And the convenience is further enhanced with a retail center now open at the community’s entrance. If you’re searching for a retirement community that celebrates the art of living, these are definitely your Colours.

Inquire about our Discovery Package and come visit Carolina Colours for yourself.

The many hues of life in a celebrated planned community, situated in New Bern, a town that is at once historical and modern.

seating with lighter neutral pieces that don't overcrowd the room. It is key to pick simple furniture that enhances the space without being too big for the space, and as always, remember less is better. A few interesting throw pillows can add all the pizazz a room needs. Curtains should be light or even sheer to let in the light. Bedrooms should all be staged as bedrooms, but the same rules apply: keep it clean and simple, and let in the light. Beds made with crisp white linens provide the ultimate impact but keep it light and matching. Bathrooms should be staged with properly folded matching new white or light neutral towels and new shower curtains, rods, and rings.

As for closets, it is good to have things representative of the storage in them. Linens in a linen closet, clothes in a clothes closet, etc. However, there should only be a few things, and they should be well organized.

When in doubt or short of inspiration, Pinterest has great ideas for staging and decluttering.

Dirty homes stay on the market

You want your home to sparkle in the buyers' eyes. After finishing all other preparations and before opening your door to buyers, make sure your house has a deep clean. The house should not only look clean but must really be clean and needs to stay that way, if at all possible. Get into dark corners, steam clean the carpets, and clean the baseboards. Dishes, pots, and pans should be put away. Floors should be cleaned and trash cans should be empty.

You want the buyer to perceive the home as livable, but not lived in. Then they can imagine themselves in the space, and hopefully soon, you will be the buyer imagining yourself in a new space.

The New Home Office

by Warren Grant

We sure have seen a lot of home offices of journalists, medical professionals, politicians, pundits, athletes, and entertainers this year. We’ll gradually see fewer and fewer as these public figures return to the safety of actual television studios. But, what won’t decrease across the country is the number of home offices, a room that has become as essential in 2020 as a kitchen or master suite.

History tells us the home office dates back millennia. A seamstress in medieval England worked out of her home. Monet worked at his estate and painted 'The Water Lily Pond' in Giverny. This story is being researched and written from a home office.

Today, we relish the home office as a sanctuary where we can be safe and still participate in our profession, whether we own our own business or are working remotely from the company headquarters.

Facilitated by the rise of iPads, smartphones, and the emergence of remote office communication tools like Skype, Zoom, and Facetime, there are more home offices than ever. It will be interesting to see the numbers from the 2020 U.S. Census, but according to the censuses from 2000 and 2010, people who worked at least one day at home per week increased by over 4 million, a 35% increase.

And, it is estimated that approximately 35% of the federal workforce will work from home within the next year.

The good news that comes with a home office is the flexibility it affords, allowing a family to relocate, live a better life, and work from home.

That’s just what is happening at Harbor Club, a sparkling lakefront golf community on 20,000-acre Lake Oconee located just an hour east of Atlanta.

“Just last week we welcomed new homeowners from Atlanta because the wife’s boss told her she could work from home,” describes Kathy Phillips, the community’s director of sales and marketing. “The couple is in their 50s and was looking for a place that had national-class recreational amenities plus the shopping and medical infrastructure that could help turn their work home into a retirement home when the time comes.”

Most homebuilders have embraced the home office trend, offering an extra bedroom, flexible rooms, or even nooks as office space.

So, we will undoubtedly see a lot fewer home offices on television as things return to normal, but the home office itself is thriving and not going anywhere soon.

Legacy Homes by Bill Clark in Wilmington, NC

ICI Homes in Florida

Landmark Homes in Pennsylvania

Move Somewhere Others Will Visit

When Barb and Ed Mathews from Pennsylvania were deciding where they would retire, they received some great advice: “Our children told us to move somewhere that people will want to come visit,” said Barb Mathews. And, three years ago, they did just that – they moved to Compass Pointe just outside of Wilmington, NC. Barb had researched many areas, but they decided on Wilmington to be closer to their daughter, who lived in Greensboro. As soon as they arrived at Compass Pointe, they fell in love and instantly knew that “This Was It!”

Having lived in Pennsylvania their entire lives, they knew they wanted to move to warmer weather where they no longer had to shovel snow in the winter. You can live year-round outdoors in the Wilmington area. Also, when their friends and family are traveling south, Wilmington is on the way, so they have plenty of visitors who stop by for a few days at a time. Their two children and their families come to visit and stay a week to 10 days.

After receiving many recommendations, the Mathews chose Logan Homes to build their home. They could not be more pleased with their decision. “Working with Logan Homes was so easy. The communication could not have been better. We felt comfortable throughout the process working with everyone at Logan. We wanted to build a house that people felt comfortable in and would want to come back and visit,” said Barb. They chose to include a bonus room over the garage with a bedroom, living room, and bathroom for guests. “We were happy with every-

thing with the builder. Logan Homes recommended an “all-season” room that we now use every day of the year,” says Ed.

Ed says, “At least once a month, we have company. It’s nice to have a place to take them to. It’s fun to take them on a tour of downtown, grab an ice cream or eat at a restaurant, then walk along the riverwalk. There’s so much to do in Wilmington. We have the pick of area beaches to choose from. And then, when you come to Compass Pointe, you have the Grand Lanai, pool, lazy river, and all of the activities.”

After they relocated, the Mathews became so busy that sometimes Ed just needs a “timeout” from all of the activity. As Compass Pointe residents, they enjoy pickleball and tennis. They love playing bocce ball and bicycling around the community. Barb is on the social board for the country club. She is also a member of the paddle club where she kayaks and paddleboards.

They have a golden doodle that they walk throughout the community. Ed says, “There is no better place to walk a dog than around here.” But, their favorite activity is riding their golf cart through the community for an hour in the evenings.

“We would never change a thing. We don’t have one complaint. We love everything about living here.”

“If we had to do it all over again, we’d build a home again with Logan Homes, especially with the Logan Home Warranty.”

Barb and Ed Mathews

Live in Compass Pointe in Wilmington, NC, in a home built by Logan Homes.

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