2023 Spring Ideal-LIVING

Discover Our Newest Neighborhood - Harbor Retreat

In Harbor Retreat, we’ve created an intimate village of charming low country homes while protecting the native environment and existing landscape. Here you’ll find single family homes with lagoon, waterview, wooded, preserve, and nature views. Located in the heart of the community, Harbor Retreat is truly its own peninsula—completely encircled by the peaceful waters of our freshwater lake known as Grand Lagoon— bringing its residents a tranquil setting as well as a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Harbor Retreat is accessed via a rustic wooden bridge over Grand Lagoon, and many homesites have direct waterfront access while others enjoy backyards bordering our spectacular and peaceful nature preserves.

Coming In 2023 - The Enclave- Newest Custom Home Neighborhood

The Enclave features estate homes amongst a breathtaking canopy of ancient oaks, magnolias, holly, and coastal pine that sets Waterways apart from so many other communities. The Enclave provides its residents a tranquil setting as well as a sense of privacy and exclusivity. Lagoon, and Nature

Available!

HOME IS WHERE THE EVERYTHING IS

Like a thriving (and growing) village center, with everything from subs and sushi to a wine store and an ice cream shop. Groceries, a UF Health and a Y right down the street. And honest-to-goodness nature surrounding it all, with trails and parks weaving through the landscape. It’s a new kind of lowcountry living, where the beachy vibe of Amelia Island and the culture of Jacksonville meet comfortably in the middle. No wonder so many people follow their hearts here.

New homes from the $300s.

Life Without Compromise

Your Next is Well Within Reach Adventure

Find

You don’t have to travel far to find the low-maintenance, active adult lifestyle you’ve been looking for. In fact, Brookfield Residential offers immersive 55+ communities across Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. So you can enjoy all the perks of resort-style amenities while still having easy access to family, friends and all of the region’s top destinations.

Ready to start your next chapter? Take a virtual tour and explore our online resources today.

BrookfieldResidential.com/55Living

Main-Level Living Home Designs

Available at Five Popular Communities

Lakeside at Trappe

Main-Level & Traditional Single-Family Homes in Trappe, MD

• 2 to 6 Bedrooms, 2 to 6 Bathrooms and Up to 4,800+ Sq. Ft.

• Pool & Bathhouse, Tennis, Pickleball, Walking Trails, Green Spaces, Dog Park, Playgrounds and Planned Community Lake & Lakeside Amenities - Coming Soon

Cadence at Lansdowne

55+ Villa Homes in Loudoun County, VA

• 3 to 4 Bedrooms, 3 to 5 Bathrooms and Up to 3,700+ Sq. Ft.

• Pickleball Court and Multi-Sport Court, Picnic and Grilling Pavilion, Walking Trails, Dog Park and Amphitheater for Special Events

Heritage Shores

55+ Single-Family Homes in Bridgeville, DE

• 2 to 5 Bedrooms, 2 to 4 Bathrooms and Up to 4,600+ Sq. Ft.

• Golf Course & Pro Shop, Clubhouse & Lifestyle Director, Wellness & Fitness Center, Indoor & Outdoor Pools, Tennis, Pickleball, Bocce & Horseshoes and On-Site Restaurants & Shopping

The Crest at Linton Hall

55+ Villas and Single-Family Homes in Bristow, VA

• 2-Level Villas with 3 to 4 Bedrooms, 2 to 4.5 Bathrooms and Up to 2,500+ Sq. Ft.

• Single-Family Homes with 3 to 5 Bedrooms, 2 to 4 Bathrooms and Up to 4,300+ Sq. Ft.

• On-Site Bocce, Pickleball, Walking Trails, Outdoor Fitness Center, Community Garden, Covered Kitchen, Lounging Area and Gas Firepit

Two Rivers

55+ Single-Family Homes in Odenton, MD

• 3 to 5 Bedrooms, 2 to 4 Bathrooms and Up to 4,300+ Sq. Ft.

• Private 55+ Clubhouse, Pool, Fitness Center, Dog Park, Community Garden, Walking Trails, Patio, Firepit and More

You’ve worked hard and waited for the right opportunity to live the life you’ve always imagined. Now, it’s time to reward that patience by experiencing the resort life at Heritage Shores. With extensive amenities, a full-time lifestyle director and easy access to local attractions, Heritage Shores offers the active living you’ve been dreaming about.

• Wellness & Fitness Center

• Indoor & Outdoor Pools

• Tennis, Bocce & Horseshoe Courts

Your key to paradise

• Best of all, No CDD Fees!

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. WARNING: THE CALIFORNIA BUREAU OF REAL ESTATE HAS NOT INSPECTED, EXAMINED, OR QUALIFIED THE OFFERINGS. Latitude Margaritaville Kentucky Registration Number R-201. For NY Residents: THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT DAYTONA BEACH ARE IN THE CPS12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO COMMUNITIES, LLC. FILE NO. CP17-0092. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE AT HILTON HEAD ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, MINTO LATITUDE HH, LLC. FILE NO. CP18-0021. THE COMPLETE OFFERING TERMS FOR THE SALE OF LOTS IN LATITUDE MARGARITAVILLE WATERSOUND ARE IN THE CPS-12 APPLICATION AVAILABLE FROM SPONSOR, LMWS, LLC. FILE NO. CP20-0062. Pennsylvania Registration Numbers OL00169 (Latitude Margaritaville at Daytona Beach), OL001170 (Latitude Margaritaville

17 ideal-LIVING.com |

Live where the deer and the antelope really DO play

SPRING 2023

VOLUME 25, NUMBER TWO PUBLISHER

RPI Media, LLC.

PRESIDENT

Michael Hackeling

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Kelly Godbey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jan Cullinane, Kelly Godbey, Warren Grant, Kim Henry, Paul Sage, JG Walker

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Kelly Godbey

Amber Whittington

DATABASE MANAGER

David Heck

IDEAL-LIVING.COM

David Heck, Will Weinel

MARKETING COORDINATOR

Gina Sellers

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.

Cascades Clubhouse Now Open!

IN CASCADES— THE PREMIER NEIGHBORHOOD FOR 55+ ACTIVE ADULTS IN EMBREY MILL

The Cascades Clubhouse is just for our active adult homeowners, featuring additional amenities to perfectly complement our carefree and low-maintenance homes by Miller & Smith and Drees Homes.

VILLAS & ELEVATOR FLATS FROM THE MID $400 s

COMMUNITY AMENITIES

• Private Cascade Clubhouse featuring:

- Event kitchen

- Lounging area with fireplace

- Yoga room & weight room

- Multi-purpose room

- Sundeck with multiple outdoor grills

- 2 Fire pits

- Oversized chess/checkers board

- 2 Pickleball courts & bocce

• 2 Community pools

• Miles of walking and biking trails

• Grounds Bistro & Café

• Dog parks

• Community Garden

• 15+ Parks and playgrounds

• Little Free Libraries

• Embrey Mill Town Center with Publix Super Market

EMBREYMILL.COM

210 Smokebush Dr Stafford VA 22554

a trademark of NASH Stafford, LLC, and may not be copied, imitated or used, in whole or in part, without prior written permission.

Take the Drink

TRAVEL ADVICE FOR THE SPRING

by Kelly Godbey | kellyg@ideal-living.com

It’s time to live the good life. This issue focuses on things you could be doing to improve your quality of life. We hosted the Ideal-LIVING Real Estate Shows in Long Island, NY, New England, Chicago, IL, Northern New Jersey, and Northern Virginia in January and February. I was fortunate to meet and speak with many Ideal-LIVING magazine readers at these events who were seeking lower taxes and a better quality of life. Some people were looking to move within the next year, but many were just beginning their search. Regardless of when you plan to relocate, I encourage you to move sooner than you plan and to start enjoying the life you want.

This spring is the perfect time to get out and visit areas you might be considering. You can take advantage of Discovery Tour packages (“Stay and Play” packages) offered by communities in this magazine, where you enjoy three days and two nights and experience what it’s like to live there. It’s really important to visit. “You won’t know until you go” is a slogan we use at Ideal-LIVING because it’s true. I’ve interviewed thousands of people over the years for this magazine, and almost everyone has told me that it’s a feeling you get when you visit and know it’s the right place.

While I live where many retire or want to live, I’m still interested in seeing other places. If you have ever heard me speak at our real estate shows, you know that I love adventure. My husband and I have been very interested in visiting Ecuador, so we recently took a trip to stay with some friends who have a home there. I have a few words of wisdom for travelers, and this applies those at home or abroad. If someone offers you a drink, TAKE THE DRINK. I can’t tell you how many times this has opened amazing experiences

for my husband and me. In Ecuador, my friend took us to many places that we wouldn’t have experienced without her. But one of our favorites was after taking a museum tour, a family that none of us knew invited us to a baptism party for a three-year-old from an indigenous Ecuadorian family. This family asked if we would like a drink, then fed us a fantastic meal. As we danced with this family to celebrate their child, I reminded of how small the world is and how wonderful, warm, and inviting human beings can be.

My hope for you is that when you travel this spring and summer, TAKE THE DRINK. Enjoy the people you meet, talk to them about their lives, and know that you can improve your quality of life when you relocate.

Please share your adventures with me at kellyg@ ideal-living.com. I’d love to know how your search is going.

Ideal-LIVING editor, Kelly Godbey and husband, Steve Swart, are invited to have a drink at this indigenous Ecuadorian family’s celebration.

Find Your Ideal...

DESTINATION

Many people choose a destination that is familiar to them, like somewhere they have vacationed, while others have an extensive search starting with discovering tax-friendly states. Choose a state, then a region, and narrow down to a city and then a community.

K. HOVNANIAN’S FOUR SEASONS HOMESTEAD

Dixon, CA

K. Hovnanian’s Four Seasons Homestead is a brand-new community by the national company that’s been a pioneer in the active-adult residential market for decades. Located in Northern California’s Solano County, Four Seasons Homestead is just an hour from San Francisco, but feels like a world away in its refreshing countryside setting beneath coastal mountain peaks.

Four Seasons Homestead is a gated age-55+ enclave designed for 302 single-family residences within the growing master-planned Homestead Development. Since the groundbreaking ceremony in November 2022, more than two dozen Four Seasons Homestead residences have been built and new quick-move-in homes are becoming available every month.

In keeping with the Four Seasons theme, the Homestead active-adult community offers two collections of homes, the Spring and the Autumn. Together they feature six distinctive floor plans on a single level that range from 1,460 to 2,195 square feet in size. The two- and three-bedroom designs include vaulted ceilings, home office/dens, covered patios, and two-car garages. For families that need a little more room, the popular Extra Suite Plus (home within a home) is also available. Designer-curated interiors are highlighted by granite/quartz countertops, glass cabinets, rain-head showers, and double vanities.

Four Season Homestead’s private resort-style amenities include a community clubhouse exclusively for residents that features a complete fitness center with a yoga studio, plus meeting space for community clubs and events organized by the dedicated Lifestyle Director. Outdoor lifestyle facilities include a large pool with cabanas, pickleball and bocce ball courts, an outdoor kitchen with BBQ stations, dog parks, walking trails, and an amphitheater for concerts under the stars.

The city of Dixon is a thriving regional hub that has retained its small-town charm with family-owned stores and local fresh-produce markets. Top-rated medical centers, fine-dining restaurants, and a variety of entertainment venues are all within a 15-minute drive, while convenient day-trip destinations include famous Napa Valley wineries and the Bay Area’s many cultural attractions.

KHov.com/Homestead

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.

Beaufort Club

Beaufort, NC

Beaufort Club is an active-lifestyle residential community just minutes from North Carolina’s Crystal Coast and one of America’s most picturesque waterfront towns.

The centerpiece amenity at Beaufort Club is the scenic championship 18-hole golf course designed by Bob Moore that features challenging water hazards and smooth bent grass greens. The clubhouse overlooking the course offers complete golf services, a private resort-style pool, and the area’s best local seafood and Southern cuisine at The Blue Heron restaurant. Lifestyle extras include a recreation lawn, walking trails, cart paths throughout the community, and an on-site boat storage facility.

The Cove at Beaufort Club is the community’s newest neighborhood which offers 48 pristine homesites with a combination of golf views that complement the championship 18-hole golf course and nature views that back up to a conservation area. With no time frame to build your dream home at Beaufort Club, you have the ability to use one of their preferred builders or select a builder of your choice.

Southern Living magazine honored Beaufort as “The South’s Best Small Town,” and it’s just eight minutes from the Beaufort Club entrance. The historic downtown area features art galleries, antique shops, and sidewalk cafes in a delightful waterfront setting. The North Carolina Maritime Museum and the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores are among the area’s many enjoyable attractions. Nearby are convenient retail outlets, professional services, medical offices, Carteret Health Care Hospital, state parks, wildlife preserves, and uncrowded, stunning beaches all within a 20-minute drive.

LiveAtBeaufort-Club.com

CADENCE AT LANSDOWNE Leesburg, VA

Brookfield Residential, a leading North American land developer and homebuilder, has introduced Cadence at Lansdowne, a new active-adult community in the perfect Northern Virginia location.

Cadence at Lansdowne is planned for just 75 elegant villa homes that have been created for the low-maintenance lifestyle of comfort inside and out. Brookfield’s signature 55+ Villa Collection includes a choice of four distinctive floor plans that range from three-bed/three-bath designs of 2,405 square feet to four-bed/five-bath layouts in a spacious 3,700 square feet. All of the two-story villas feature main-level owner’s suites, designer kitchens, private patios, and the latest myCommand Smart Home Technology that puts all of the residential controls at your fingertips.

The private neighborhood amenities in the Cadence at Lansdowne community include pickleball and multi-sport courts, a picnic and grilling pavilion, a dog park, walking paths, and a community amphitheater. Right next door is the acclaimed Lansdowne Resort, which offers local residents a variety of golf, fitness, spa, and social membership programs. There are also grocery markets, restaurants, and new medical facilities in the immediate area, while historic downtown Leesburg is just seven miles away. For the convenience of business and holiday travelers, Washington Dulles International Airport is only 20 minutes to the south. CadenceatLansdowne.com

Spring is Your Time to Blossom in a New Lennar 55+ Community

Enjoy life your way in a new 55+ active adult community by Lennar. Connect with new friends, enjoy new journeys, and explore new possibilities. Your life has been building to this!

Thoughtfully designed homes give you the ease of living with the amenity-rich lifestyle you crave. Everything is created with your comfort and wellbeing in mind: clubhouses, fitness centers, pools, sports courts, parks, nearby or community golf courses, and more.

Single-family and villa homes from the upper $300s

Villa homes from the upper $300s

Parklands

at St. Charles in White Plains, MD

Single-family and villa homes from the upper $300s

Beechfield Manors in Bowie, MD

Single-family and villa homes from the upper $400s

Amblebrook in Gettysburg, PA

Colonial Heritage in Williamsburg, VA

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

NEW LANDMARK COMMUNITY DEBUTS

Winding Creek | Annville, PA

In March, Landmark Homes hosted a special preview event at its newest 55+ community for active adults, Winding Creek in Annville, PA. Conveniently located just outside of Hershey, the community offers a low-maintenance lifestyle with thoughtfully-designed home plans. Opening later this year is the private Winding Creek community clubhouse, which includes a fitness center, meeting rooms, dog grooming room, kitchen, and game room. Additional amenities will include an outdoor pool, a putting green, walking trails, and bocce ball and pickleball courts. A full-time activities coordinator plans a wide variety of events in and around the community.

OwnALandmark.com

NEW WILDLIGHT NEIGHBORHOOD ANNOUNCED

Wildlight | Wildlight, FL

PulteGroup has announced plans for Hawthorn Park, its newest neighborhood in northeast Florida’s Wildlight master-planned community. Hawthorn Park will consist of 49 bungalow-style homes with rear-loading garages and 25 homesites. Development is well underway and sales are anticipated to open in mid-2023. The new neighborhood is surrounded by three ponds and offers direct access to Wildlight’s walking trail network. Hawthorn Park residents can also bike or ride their golf carts to the Wildlights Village Center, which features shops, restaurants, a new Publix, and a Mocama Beer Company taproom set to debut this summer.

Wildlight.com

Homes from the $500s

Just South of Nashville , is Del Webb’s Southern Springs and it’s full of Southern Charm. You’ll experience beautiful weather with 4 Seasons, extensive resort-style amenities and a vibrant community of neighbors and friends. Virtual and Private Tours are always available. DelWebb.com/SouthernSprings | 615-283-9766

is required

restrictions apply. Some residents may be

by

MARGARITAVILLE WATERSOUND WINS BIG

Latitude Margaritaville Watersound | Panama City Beach, FL

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) presented Minto Comunities USA with a total of eight awards at the International Builders Show in February 2023. Seven of those prestigious honors went to the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound community near Florida’s Panama City Beach, including a Gold “Best in 55+ Award” for the Dreamsicle home design and a Silver “Master Planned Community of the Year Award.” The Latitude Margaritaville communities are being developed by Minto and the Margaritaville global brand inspired by the music and lifestyle of Jimmy Buffett. The Latitude Margaritaville Watersound location is the third development in the series, following the debut of Latitude Margaritaville Daytona Beach and the Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head in South Carolina. Additional communities are planned for Texas and other popular destinations.

LatitudeMargaritaville.com

Americans are on the Move

by JG Walker

Ten Most Populous States

According to the latest official annual estimates and major moving company reports for 2022, more Americans are retiring or relocating to Southern states and mid-sized cities. Those trends seem likely to continue in 2023 and beyond.

According to recently released estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, the nation’s population increased by 0.4% for the one-year period ending on July 1, 2022. That’s an addition of 1,256,003 new Americans and an all-time high for the total U.S. population of 333,287,557.

California remains the most populous state but has declined in population. The biggest winner, according to the new estimates, is Texas. Already America’s second most populous state, Texas tops the 30-million mark for the first time. Florida remains at No. 3 on the

list with a population of just over 22 million, up nearly 417,000 during the year.

The other two Top 10 most populous states—Georgia and North Carolina—also show a significant growth in new residents during the year and are approaching a total population of 11 million each. Arizona, South Carolina, and Tennessee are additional states with noteworthy numeric population gains. Delaware’s population is also growing by 1.4%, and four Western states—Idaho, South Dakota, Montana, and Utah—show population increases of between 1.8% and 1.2%.

UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU STATISTICS

(population)

U.S. CENSUS BUREAU

MIGRATION PATTERNS

Top 10 States in Numeric Growth: 2021 to 2022

Percent Change in State Population: July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2022

United Van Lines

United Van Lines released its 46th Annual National Movers Study on January 2, 2023. According to the survey of company customers that accompanied the study, Americans aged 55 and older accounted for more than 55% of all United inbound moves in 2022. Among the primary motivations, the survey results showed a roughly even split among three reasons for moving: retirement/change of lifestyle, new job/ company transfer, and a desire to be closer to family members.

While Vermont, Oregon, and Rhode Island topped the list with inbound moves (versus outbound moves) of greater than 65%, North Carolina, South Caroli na, and Delaware each had inbound moves of 61%. Among all states with an inbound moves percentage of 51% or higher, Texas and Florida had by far the greatest total number of inbound moves, followed in order by North Carolina, Washington, Virginia, Geor gia, Arizona, Tennessee, and South Carolina.

The United Van Lines study also listed the top in bound moving destinations by Metropolitan Statisti cal Areas (MSAs), which include city suburbs or more than one contiguous municipality. Wilmington, NC, was the clear winner in the United study, with an in bound move rate of 81%. Three other North Carolina

MSAs (Hickory, Greensboro-Winston Salem, and Charlotte-Gastonia) also made the Top 25 list for the percentage of inbound moves.

Myrtle Beach, SC, was tied for No. 4 on the list with Punta Gorda, FL, both with an inbound moving percentage of 72%. Five additional Florida MSAs were included among the Top 25 with 65% or higher inbound percentages.

Source: Vintage 2022 Population Estimates

U.S. Census Bureau | Census.gov

Ideal-LIVING Readers

Each year Ideal-LIVING confirms our readers’ interstate moves through a match with the national change of address. Below and to the right you can see Ideal-LIVING reader’s most popular areas. However, the majority of our readers are in the “just started looking” category. They are trying to find their ideal destination. Most seek an area with quality health care facilities with dining and shopping options, as well as museums and cultural activities.

TOP 3 REASONS THAT IDEAL-LIVING READERS RELOCATE

1. Reduce Taxes

2. Better Climate

94% Walking Trails

83% Shopping/Dining

82% Fitness Centers

3. Improve Quality of Life

Madison

Off the Beaten Path

Welcome Home to Mississippi

by JG Walker

Mississippi is increasingly becoming a top destination for retirees from around the country who are seeking year-round mild temperatures and an excellent quality of life. That’s why the state has established the Welcome Home Mississippi program to highlight 14 small cities and big towns that are embracing new residents with genuine Southern hospitality.

While the overall cost of living and property taxes are low for everyone in Mississippi, there’s no state tax on qualified retirement income like Social Security, and generous homestead exemptions are available for age 65+ residents. And for active-lifestyle seniors, Mississippi features an abundance of outdoor recreations that include more than 150 public golf courses and private country clubs.

Tupelo

Hattiesburg

Vicksburg

Five Mississippi Cities That Offer Great Value

MADISON

Madison is a small city near the state capital of Jackson that consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Mississippi. In the downtown area are public parks filled with flowers, the impressive Madison Station Botanical Gardens and shady walking trails in the 10-acre Simmons Arboretum. Madison Square Center for the Arts hosts community festivals and is a cultural hub in the historic city center that also includes fine- and casual-dining restaurants and local craft boutiques. Madison residents in revitalized downtown neighborhoods and upscale country club communities enjoy excellent local health care, with several major medical centers located within 10 miles.

CLEVELAND

TUPELO

Tupelo is best known as the home of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” so it’s not surprising that the Elvis Presley Birthplace & Museum and the Tupelo Elvis Festival every June are among the city’s featured attractions. Residents of this growing hometown support a lively fine arts scene with local orchestra, theater, and ballet companies. For outdoor recreation, Tupelo has 22 public parks that include walking paths in the 206-acre Veterans Memorial Park. North Mississippi Medical Center, one of the state’s largest hospitals, offers award-winning specialty clinics and treatment centers. The city is also a major stop along the 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway, one of America’s most scenic highways.

VICKSBURG

Cleveland is a college town in northwestern Mississippi that’s home to Delta State University and its academic programs that include continuing education for lifelong learners. Also located on campus is GRAMMY Museum® Mississippi, which honors Mississippi’s rich musical heritage and past winners of the music industry’s most prestigious awards, as well as the Bologna Performing Arts Center, which hosts contemporary concerts, dances, and theater events. The hiking trails in Great River Road Park and the nearby Dahomey National Wildlife Refuge offer natural outdoor recreation opportunities, while revitalized downtown Cleveland features cultural museums, farm-to-table restaurants, and delightful antique shops. Top-rated medical facilities for retirees and residents of all ages in Cleveland are available at Bolivar Medical Center.

Set on a high bluff above a big bend in the majestic Mississippi River, Vicksburg is a city that gracefully combines the old and the new. Founded nearly 200 years ago, Vicksburg features some of the South’s finest historic architecture in its well-preserved downtown buildings and surrounding garden-filled neighborhoods. It also features a lively contemporary cultural scene with the state’s largest public art collection, music and film festivals, and a local theatre guild that holds weekly events. Vicksburg boasts a thriving economy with new and expanding high-tech, research, and service companies. And Merit Health River Region Medical Center offers state-of-the-art health care. The Vicksburg Senior Center and the “Plus 50” lifelong learning programs are offered at Hinds Community College.

HATTIESBURG

Hattiesburg is a city of nearly 50,000 residents that has retained its welcoming small-town charm. Walking tours of Hattiesburg’s historic neighborhoods and downtown district highlight the city’s classic architecture and its Public Art Trail offers surprising delights. Equally impressive are Longleaf Trace, a paved multi-purpose trail for hiking and biking that runs for 41 miles from the city center through several area towns, and the Pinebelt Blueways with more than 50 miles of river trails for kayakers. There are also museums, galleries, and sidewalk cafes for leisurely enjoyment and lively adventures for kids of all ages at Hattiesburg Zoo. The University of Southern Mississippi offers degree programs and lifelong learning opportunities for seniors.

IDEAL DESTINATIONS

The Front Nine

Mississippi Private/ Semi-Private Golf Clubs

Annandale Golf Club (Madison)

Cleveland Country Club (Cleveland)

Fallen Oak Golf Club (Saucier)

Fernwood Country Club (McComb)

Hattiesburg Country Club (Hattiesburg)

Laurel Country Club (Laurel)

Mossy Oak Golf Club (West Point)

Old Waverly Golf Club (West Point)

Reunion Golf & Country Club (Madison)

The Back Nine

Mississippi Public/Resort Golf Courses

Cherokee Valley Golf Course (Cherokee Valley)

Dancing Rabbit Golf Club (Choctaw)

Grand Bear Golf Course (Saucier)

Kirkwood National Golf Club (Holly Springs)

Shell Landing Golf Course (Gautier)

The Bridges (Bay St. Louis)

The Ole Miss Golf Course (Oxford)

The Preserve Golf Course (Vancleave)

Tunica National Golf & Tennis (Tunica)

It’s no wonder people love living in coastal Delaware, where any day can be a beach day. From the family-friendly beaches of Cape Henlopen State Park to Fenwick Island, you’ll find plenty of sandy beaches for family fun in the sun. With our miles of coastline, gorgeous scenery, quaint beach towns, award-winning restaurants and low-tax living, loving where you live is easy in coastal Delaware!

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

THE LANDINGS — GEORGIA

Experience the natural beauty of an island blended with the modern amenities of a city. You’ll always feel connected to the exhilaration of Savannah while enjoying the privacy and security of having a home inside a gated community with world-class, resort-style amenities, the feel of a small town, and a number of distinct neighborhoods. Each detail has been considered in creating a community of incomparable standards. With 40 years of national awards for golf and community excellence, The Landings on Skidaway Island offers a range of real estate opportunities.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD — FLORIDA

Renowned for beautiful homes and unrivaled active and social amenities, On Top of the World in Ocala, FL, is a leader in creating quality lifestyles. A world of opportunities to relax and enjoy life awaits you at On Top of the World. Repeatedly named one of the best places in the country to live by Where to Retire magazine, this 13,000-acre master-planned community appeals to active adults looking for a fabulous lifestyle and well-designed, beautifully appointed homes. Surrounded by central Florida’s celebrated horse country and crystal clear springs, it is close to everything yet far from the ordinary.

You won’t know until you go!

RED FROG BEACH — PANAMA

Part modern community, part natural playground, Red Frog Beach Island Resort is fulfilling a dream to create an island community that combines socially responsible values and a deep connection between nature and people, while reducing the intensity of our environmental footprint. A hidden gem in Central America, with 1,500 acres of Isla Bastimentos, and 5 miles (8km) of beachfront, Red Frog Beach Island Resort offers a secluded villa community, a secluded jungle village, private beach club, full-service IGY Marina, island spa, 8 miles of rainforest trails, island grocery, and more.

THE RANCHES AT BELT CREEK — MONTANA

The Ranches at Belt Creek preserve and celebrate a uniquely American way of life. Set among the rolling plains and majestic mountains of Montana, the Big Sky Country will satisfy your every desire for adventure and serenity. Imagine encompassing a luxury mountain lodge, the nostalgia of a working ranch, the peacefulness of casting a line down the creek, and the thrill of world-class skiing all in one. If you seek liberation from ordinary life, treasure your family and legacy, and want to be immersed in nature’s beauty, this luxury ranch resort awaits.

THE BLUFFS — NORTH CAROLINA

The Bluffs on the Cape Fear is a vibrant, master-planned community perched on a pristine stretch of the Cape Fear River. Just 15 minutes from the classic waterfront hometown of historic Wilmington, NC, The Bluffs is a private, coastal haven for the families who call it home. Natural woodlands and the unspoiled riverfront landscape are preserved and celebrated. Classically-styled coastal homes exist in harmony with lush woodlands and the riverfront. Experience the joy of this authentic riverfront community with a 3-day/2-night Discovery Package.

CALLAWASSIE ISLAND — SOUTH CAROLINA

Callawassie Island, located in the heart of the Lowcountry, is a private, gated island community offering world-class Tom Fazio golf and a full complement of amenities, including a tennis center, clubhouse, pools, fitness center, and River Club. Secluded from the noise and congestion of the highway, peace and quiet are as plentiful as vibrant activity. Members take full advantage of the island parks, historical sites, and recreation areas for enjoying remarkable views of undisturbed nature.

To find more than 100 Discovery Travel opportunities, visit ideal-LIVING.com/ventureout

Find Your Ideal... LIFE

Take five minutes and envision what you want your new life to be like from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. Smell the air, hear the birds, and place yourself in a new world of your making. Now it’s time to make that vision a reality.

Community Healthcare

On-site medical facilities and services are part of the plan

Today’s retirement and residential communities offer a variety of lifestyle amenities in locations as diverse as the landscape of America itself. In recent years, more and more prospective home buyers are placing an increasingly high priority on convenient access to quality health-care services and the marketplace is responding. While many of the best master-planned developments now have medical offices in their commercial areas, some are going the extra mile with on-site health-care facilities and services that take center stage in their communities.

Tennessee Offers Proximity Plus

East Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau is renowned for its rich natural diversity, crisp mountain air, and sparkling highland lakes. For residents of Fairfield Glade, enjoying that wholesome environment means access to superb recreational amenities and a healthcare network that reaches right into the heart of the community.

The Cumberland Medical Center at Fairfield Glade is a unique 37,000-square-foot complex with two on-site health facilities that work together.

The professional staff in the Medical Arts Building offers complete primary-care services and outpatient physical therapy programs. The in-house diagnostic facilities include an ACR-accredited Breast Imaging Center of Excellence with mammography and X-ray services. In the adjoining Wellness Complex, residents have a state-of-the-art fitness center with the latest training equipment, certified instructors for group exercise programs, and an indoor walking track.

There’s also an indoor pool at the Wellness Center, where you’ll often find 90-year-old resident Gloria Lusk, who teaches water aerobics classes for her Fairfield Glade neighbors. “I try to encourage those who take my class with a little bit of humor,” says Lusk with her ever-present smile. “This is beyond a job for me. This is my mission!”

That enthusiastic commitment to better health extends beyond the Fairfield Glade gates to the main Cumber-

land Medical Center (CMC) campus just nine miles away in Crossville. At its heart is a 182-bed acute-care hospital with complete medical, surgical, and post-operative services, plus specialty practices and treatment facilities not often found outside big cities. And the CMC’s emergency and intensive-care units connect directly back to Fairfield Glade, which has its own EMS paramedic team and ambulance on-call 24/7 from the community’s fire department and security center.

“We’re grateful to be part of this growing community,” says CMC chief administrative officer and president Randy Davis. “Our goal is to provide accessible care and services close to home for residents, and our infrastructure in Fairfield Glade also has significant future growth space.”

Fairfield Glade residents have the opportunity daily to enjoy healthy-lifestyle amenities, including five championship golf courses, 11 recreational lakes, and more than 25 miles of hiking and biking trails on the 12,000acre property. But it’s also a peace-of-mind extra in the Fairfield Glade community to know that professional healthcare services—and vigorous workouts in the pool—are available for everyone right around the corner. FairfieldGlade.net

“Our goal is to provide accessible care and services close to home for residents, and our infrastructure in Fairfield Glade also has significant future growth space.”

90-year-old resident Gloria Lusk teaches water aerobics classes for her Fairfield Glade neighbors.

Southeastern North Carolina Provides Convenient Healthcare Options

While southeastern North Carolina’s finest beaches and the historic port city of Wilmington are just a short drive away, Brunswick Forest residents have access to the area’s best medical services without leaving their resort-style community.

The Villages at Brunswick Forest is a 160-acre town center with grocery markets, restaurants, and retail shops. But what makes The Villages so conveniently unique are the numerous healthcare services available, starting with the Novant Health Brunswick Forest Medical Center. This 40,000-square-foot facility features primary care physician offices, an express care clinic open seven days a week, and complete gastroenterology, rheumatology, urology, and neurology services. Recent medical center expansions include the Novant Health Cancer Institute, with 15 infusion chairs for chemotherapy and hematology treatments and an on-site diagnostic laboratory for rapid test results. They’re all part of the regional Novant Health network that includes an 800-bed hospital and the University of North Carolina medical school campus just 10 miles away.

Dr. Darshan Dave is an internal medicine specialist who sees patients at the Novant Health Brunswick Forest Medical Center. “We’re pleased to offer this growing area convenient access to not only primary and express care,” he says, “but also imaging, lab services, multiple specialty physicians, and other clinicians so that residents of this

community have healthcare options close to home.”

Novant Health also offers medical evaluations, screenings, and educational programs at the Brunswick Forest Fitness and Wellness Center. The 18,000-square-foot facility features the latest workout equipment, aerobics classes, indoor/outdoor pools, and tennis/pickleball courts, all connected to residential neighborhoods by hiking and biking trails.

Additional medical service providers located in The Villages include EmergOrtho’s Brunswick Forest Surgery Center for outpatient procedures and other orthopedic treatments. Coastal Integrative Health is a full-service chiropractic center, while residents can keep their smiles in shape at Bluewave Dentistry, Cherubini Orthodontics, and Airlie Oral Surgery. Complete optometric services are available at Wilmington Eye and the Swell Vision Center. And to make sure that all family members get the care they need, the Brunswick Forest Veterinary Hospital offers a full range of pet-friendly treatment services.

“We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback about the convenience of our community healthcare facilities,” says Jerry Helms, President of Brunswick Forest Realty. “Along with so many healthy-lifestyle recreational amenities, we’re proud to offer our residents such a diversity of high-quality medical services located here on-site at Brunswick Forest.”

BrunswickForest.com

There’s A Place For You ,

Charleston

Naples

Savannah

New

Bern

Wilmington

Chattanooga

Nashville and more!

SPRING is the perfect time to explore and do some discovery traveling. Everyone likes to get away!

Want to “live like a resident?” Visiting the town or city you are considering relocating to is the only way to truly know if it’s a good fit for you.

GETAWAYS are the optimal way to try on a community and the nearby city. On these tours, you are intentionally folded into the community.

DISCOVER & VENTURE OUT. Pick an amenity you have always wanted to try: golf on a community course, a yoga class with potential friends, local foods at a club house, kayaking or pickleball. Start exploring today!

State of the Art Healthcare in Southwest Florida

Lakewood Ranch is a master-planned community in southwest Florida that covers 33,000 acres in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Its more than 60,000 residents live in neighborhood villages surrounding three town centers, enjoy unparalleled recreational amenities, and have access to on-site medical services that would be the envy of any small city in America.

In the heart of Lakewood Ranch is the community’s 120-bed hospital, the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, which offers top-rated treatment facilities from emergency and intensive care to surgical and post-operative services. As the community has grown, the Medical Center has kept pace, most recently adding 28,000 square feet in 2019 that included two state-of-the-art surgical suites and a 2020 expansion of its Women’s Center with new maternity- and obstetrical-care facilities. And construction begins later this year on an adjacent five-story patient tower that will add 60 beds in the first phase, with room for 60 more as needed. Lakewood Ranch is also home to the renowned Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, which offers cutting-edge radiation, chemotherapy, and rehabilitation services. Specialty centers like the Coastal Eye Institute and Coastal Orthopedics complement the wide variety of treatment services for residents offered by Intercoastal Medical and other family practices with primary care and outpatient services. In addition, Lakewood Ranch

has five distinctive independent- and assisted-living centers, as well as urgent care locations and retail pharmacies throughout the community.

“More and more, home buyers are placing an increasingly high priority on health and wellness,” says Sandy Shahinian, vice-president of sales and marketing for Lakewood Ranch. “Among the top reasons cited for living in a master-planned community are a healthy lifestyle and convenient access to healthcare. Lakewood Ranch has the resources for all of our residents’ medical needs, whether they’re preventive, emergency, specialized, or longer-term care, and they’re all located on The Ranch.”

That healthy lifestyle at Lakewood Ranch began with a plan of environmental stewardship that set aside 40% of the land for open space and recreation. Thousands of conservation-area acres are connected to 12 community parks by a 150-mile network of multi-surface trails for hiking and biking. In addition to fully-equipped fitness facilities and racquet-sports clubs, Lakewood Ranch is home to seven private and resort golf clubs that are open for year-round play. From softball and soccer tournaments at The Premier Sports Campus to sunset strolls on nearby Gulf Coast beaches, better health for residents of all ages and convenient medical services are a way of life at Lakewood Ranch.

LakewoodRanch.com

Among the top reasons cited for living in a master-planned community are a healthy lifestyle and convenient access to healthcare.

Pennsylvania Wellness

Amblebrook at Gettysburg is a 55+ resort-style residential community in the southern Pennsylvania countryside where a commitment to a healthy lifestyle includes professional wellness amenities within the neighborhood.

The new Rock Creek Fitness Center opened in 2022 with the latest strength training and cardio equipment, year-round fitness classes, indoor/outdoor pools, and the area’s first indoor pickleball court. What makes it even more unique is the WellSpan Health Wellness team located under the same roof, offering Amblebrook residents convenient access to wellness and nutrition counseling, health screenings, telehealth appointments, physical therapy, massage programs, and pharmacy services. The two large spa-like suites within the 22,000-squarefoot fitness center that houses the WellSpan facilities are staffed by dedicated professionals and are available by appointment during regular business hours through the Amblebrook wellness concierge.

“We are excited to provide on-site programs and quality health services that are convenient for residents of Amblebrook,” says Michael Cogliano, vice president of WellSpan Health and president of WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital. “This opportunity also gives those residents access to our expansive network of medical experts and advanced specialty care.” Along with a complete array of

provider practices and treatment centers in the immediate area, the top-rated WellSpan Gettysburg Hospital is located just 10 miles away.

The innovative WellSpan Health facilities at Amblebrook are an impressive addition to the active-adult lifestyle that includes an award-winning 24,000-squarefoot community clubhouse with meeting space for dozens of interest clubs and volunteer groups. Additional clubhouse amenities include a demonstration kitchen, a residents’ bar and lounge, and a performing-arts theater with a year-round schedule of shows. Also located within the community are a casual-dining cafe, a farm-to-table fresh market, outdoor tennis and pickleball courts, a dog park, and a network of walking trails on the 800-acre Amblebrook property. All are part of a healthy-living community design that now includes medical services at its heart.

“Joining forces with WellSpan gives us a chance to share an unprecedented range of health and wellness benefits for our residents,” says Amblebrook’s director of marketing, Sara Carbonell. “We have a unique opportunity to work with experts in the industry who champion ideas, programs, and services that will consistently improve the daily lives of those who live at Amblebrook.”

AmblebrookGettysburg.com

Belonging and Mindful Living

Over 20 years ago, regions were discovered around the world where people were flourishing well past the age of 100. These areas became known as Blue Zones. Now master-planned communities are using the secrets found in these Blue Zones to help people live better and longer. Blue Zones Project® is a community well-being initiative with the goal of decreasing chronic disease and helping residents live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Nestled in southwest Florida lies Ave Maria, an award-winning master-planned community that has been recognized as one of the first places in Florida and the Southeast U.S. to achieve a Blue Zones Community Certification.  “It’s rewarding to witness the positive impact Blue Zones has brought to Ave Maria, and as a community, we understand how important healthy social living is to our residents,” said Carol DiFlorio, Lifestyle Director for the Ave Maria Master Association. “The Blue Zones Project is the perfect match for life improvement our residents seek.”

Through insightful planning, Ave Maria has proven there’s more to life when amenities and social connection boost fun and personal bests for all ages. From water aerobics at the water

park to 55+ co-ed softball games in South Park, residents find a common ground to connect. Sustained with a vibrant Town Center, exciting amenities, a diverse network of medical providers, top-rated schools, worksites, restaurants, and stores, this Blue Zone has a lot happening for its community-goers and visitors. Ranked among the Top 20 Master-Planned Communities in the nation, Ave Maria has made its mark for improving what it means to feel better and live better.

“My family moved to Ave Maria in 2021 with hopes to continue the mission of cultivating wellness through our fitness business, and using amenities like South Park has been a great meeting ground for residents to make new connections while improving their health,” said Nicolas Leon, founder of Ave Bootcamp. He and his members have taken advantage of Ave Maria’s Blue Zone amenities for group exercises, runs, and other weekly workouts when using the fields, courts, and running trails. “There is no competition for better health. Gathering as a community to improve quality of life really defines the Ave Maria lifestyle.”

Discover what makes Ave Maria a beneficial home for many. Visit AveMaria.com for more information.

A Miracle “Drug”

Effective, Simple, Easy to Use…and Free! by

What if I told you that there is an oral drug that could slow the aging process, lower your risk of dying early, and decrease your chances of diseases such as diabetes, stroke, dementia, heart failure, and certain lung diseases? And it can help you accomplish that often-cited New Year’s resolution of losing weight? What would you be willing to pay? And what if I told you that you can obtain this drug without a prescription? And on top of that, it’s basically FREE? Well, there is such a substance, and it’s as close as the faucet in your kitchen – it’s water.

About 60% of the adult human body is water, and it’s involved in many vital processes: it rids our bodies of waste through sweating, urinating, and defecating; it acts as a joint lubricant; it regulates our body temperature through perspiration which is comprised primarily of water, and cools the body as it evaporates; it transports nutrients throughout our body (plasma, the liquid part of blood is about 90% water). Adequate water intake can prevent constipation and kidney stones, and help prevent joint pain. Even our brain is about 75% water, and as little as a 2% water loss can affect mental performance, according to the

Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Jan Cullinane

Inadequate water intake can make you feel tired, as lower fluid levels in the body make the heart work harder to pump blood to the heart and brain. It’s estimated about half the world’s population doesn’t consume enough water on a daily basis. Even poets have written about the importance of water: “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” (W.H.

Auden)

Aging, Medications, Hydration, and Research

As we age, our ability to sense that we are thirsty declines. Untreated diabetes, kidney disease, and bladder infections may cause us to urinate more often and become dehydrated without our realizing it. Certain medications, especially those for high blood pressure and kidney disease, as well as some anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications can increase urination and result in additional water loss. People who work or play (golf, pickleball, biking, etc.) outdoors in hot, humid weather may sweat profusely, and if they are older, may not recognize that additional fluid intake is necessary.

We lose an average of about 8.5 cups of water per day through perspiration, urination, defecation, and breathing (about a cup a day is lost merely from breathing). To replace water that’s lost, we’ve all heard the axiom that we should drink 6-8 cups of water day. This amount is generally adequate. Drinks such as tea and coffee (even caffeinated is okay), milk, and foods with high water content such as celery, cucumbers, spinach, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe, oranges, and peaches also count. If you exercise a lot, are breastfeeding, or pregnant, you’ll need to up your water intake.

Like math? One suggested equation to figure out specifically how much water to drink, although it ignores water-rich food and drinks, is to multiply your weight by .5, which gives you the number of ounces of water you should drink: your weight X .5 = ounces of water you should drink per day. So, if you are a woman who weighs 140 pounds, you should drink 140 X .5 = 70 ounces of water per day. Since there are 8 ounces in one cup, 70 divided by 8 is 8.75 cups per day. No need to be that exact, but it’s a good way to estimate your hydration needs.

Don’t like math? Some easy rules of thumb regarding hydration include monitoring how frequently you are going to the bathroom (if it’s been several hours since your last trip, you need to up your water intake); recognize that if you’re thirsty, it’s a sign of dehydration, so drink before you get thirsty; and monitor the color of your urine – it should be pale yellow, or almost colorless.

Need more convincing? A January 2023 National Institute of Health (NIH) 30-year study involving more than 11,000 adults found: “Adults who stay well-hydrated appear to be healthier, develop fewer chronic conditions, such as heart and lung disease, and live longer than those who may not get sufficient fluids.”

Drink more water, Lose more weight?

Year after year, losing weight is among the top five New Year’s resolutions. We are now well into the New Year, but if it’s still the same old you regarding unsuccessful weight loss, why not try drinking more water?

Ways drinking more water can help you lose weight:

• Drinking water stimulates your metabolism, so you burn more calories.

• The brain may confuse mild dehydration with hunger. Instead of reaching for a calorie-rich drink, down two glasses of water. It may quench your feelings of hunger.

• Substituting water for calorie-rich drinks is a no-brainer. A 12 oz. regular soft drink has about 150 calories.

• Increasing water intake is thought to burn fat more effectively, according to a review of studies by Frontiers in Nutrition.

• Staying hydrated improves workouts; you feel less fatigued, so you can work out for longer and therefore burn more calories.

• When water enters the stomach, the stomach will send signals of fullness to the brain.

My friend Leta lost about 20 pounds over the course of a year, and said it was pretty effortless. I asked her how she did it. Her response? She said she did try to eat a bit healthier and walk more, but said the biggest contributor was simply to drink more water. I’ll drink to that! (Drink water, that is!)

Jan Cullinane is an award-winning retirement author, speaker, and consultant. Her current book is The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life, 3rd edition (Wiley, 2022).

Your weight X .5 = ounces of water you should drink per day

Getting Braces...Again

... As an Adult by Jan Cullinane

drift.” Sounds like something lovely and soothing. But, it turns out that our lower jaw continues to grow forward, AND the width of the lower jaw shrinks over time! So, I ended up with my lower jaw having crowded teeth….again. When you combine this with our faces “falling” somewhat as we age, and our lips becoming thinner as collagen is depleted and our lip muscles thin, my bottom teeth, which were pretty much invisible when I was young, were now jumbled and noticeable. Too noticeable.

“FFlashback to sixth grade…I needed braces – badly. My upper and lower teeth were crowded, my bite was off, my front teeth REALLY protruded. I could have been the poster-child for “buck teeth.” Thankfully, my parents took me to an orthodontist, and after having four permanent teeth pulled to create room in my mouth, and two years of braces and rubber bands, the braces were off, and I loved my teeth and my smile. I wore my removable retainer faithfully through high school, although I ratcheted down the frequency (per the orthodontist’s instructions) through college, and at the ripe old age of 21, I finally stopped wearing my retainer. The prevailing wisdom - at least according to my orthodontist at that time - was that the teeth were now fixed in their new position after eight years. I was DONE. Not so fast. Fast-forward to my forties and fifties…my upper teeth still looked great, but the bottom teeth had “migrated” forward. There’s a term for this – it’s called “mesial

Because I do a lot of public speaking, and I no longer liked the look of my bottom teeth, I decided it would be “back to braces” for me. I know, first world problems, but my bottom teeth really bothered me. And, in addition to the aesthetics, improperly aligned teeth can contribute to issues such as gum disease, cavities, wearing away enamel, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders, and difficulty chewing. So, off to an orthodontist, where I was surrounded by mostly preteens/teens in the waiting room, along with several adults; it turns out a third of those who get braces these days are over the age of 18 (many of them older repeaters, since we weren’t told 40+ years ago we needed to wear our retainers FOREVER).

At the initial consultation, there was a visual inspection, along with 3D scanning and X-rays, and the pros and cons of traditional braces vs. Invisalign were explained. I opted for traditional braces, since I was told it would only take about five months of treatment to correct the crowding, compared to 12 to 18 months with Invisalign. Since my braces were only on the bottom, I was willing to be a “metal-mouth” in exchange for a shorter timeframe. Brackets are smaller and much less noticeable these days; most people never knew I had braces on my lower teeth until I told them. (There are also “at home” teeth-straightening options, such as “byte”

and SmileDirectClub, but I wanted an orthodontist supervising my treatment.)

So, I would visit the orthodontist every six weeks, for an approximately 15-minute appointment of checking and adjusting the wires. True to their word, it took just about five full months for my bottom teeth to once again become straight. And, now rather than a removable appliance (and this is true of my three children who had braces when they were young), they cement tiny brackets and a wire to the back of the teeth to keep them fixed in place. There was an extra (surprise) benefit – during the time I had braces, similar to when I had them as a kid, there were quite a few “no-nos” – no eating things that could break your brackets or increase the possibility of cavities. So, no chewy, sticky, crunchy, hard food/candy; no food you bite into such as corn on the cob or whole apples. No chewing ice. I am a compliant patient, and I didn’t want to jeopardize completing my treatment as soon as possible, so I gave up candy and nuts for the five full months…and guess what – lost 12 pounds.

Finally, the cost. The total, which includes future appointments with the orthodontist (without charge) if anything becomes loose or breaks, was $2,422. Was it worth it? I’d say emphatically YES.

Unlock Your Housing Wealth

You may be able to pay cash for a new home, but should you?

One of the tricks that the top one percent has perfected is using the banks’ money instead of their own to fund their endeavors. According to the Motley Fool, “When rich people borrow, they do so because they want to improve their overall financial situation, and they can do that by leveraging the money lenders provide.”

Yes, you may be able to pay cash, but might it be better to explore a loan for purchasing your new home and invest in vehicles that could make you more money over the long term? It is possible to leverage your home’s equity as a holistic approach to funding your retirement or at minimum improving it.

There’s always a traditional mortgage that most people are familiar with. Or, you might want to consider making your money work for you with a reverse mortgage.

More often than not, the term “reverse mortgage” is met with skepticism. If you’re anything like me, I wonder, what’s the catch? Do you mean I get to live in my home without paying a monthly mortgage payment? So, we asked the people at Watermark Reverse Mortgage to shed a little light on reverse mortgages.

What is a reverse mortgage?

A reverse mortgage is an FHA insured loan that empowers borrowers to access the equity in their home or purchase a property without any required monthly mortgage payments. Interest and fees are added to the loan balance over the years rather than collected monthly like a traditional mortgage. The balance is repaid when the last remaining borrower permanently leaves the home or if the loan terms are not met.

What are the requirements?

• The borrower must be 62 years of age or older.

• The property must meet FHA minimum property standards.

• The homeowner must continue to pay all property fees, including property taxes, homeowners insurance, and HOA fees.

• You must occupy the home as your primary residence. Do I still own my house?

Yes, you own your home just like you would with a traditional mortgage. You are free to sell your house and profit from any remaining equity once the loan balance is paid. If interest is added to the loan amount, what happens if I owe more money than the property is worth in 30 years?

The reverse mortgage is an FHA insured non-recourse loan. The homeowner will never be personally responsible for repayment of the loan greater than the property value of the loan at the time of repayment. If you owe more than the house is worth, the home can be used for collateral to pay the deficit. What if my children want to purchase the home at the time of my death?

They can buy the house by paying off the loan. In the event that you owe more than it’s worth, they can refinance or payoff the loan at 95% of the current appraised value.

Unlike other loans, a reverse mortgage doesn’t have to be repaid until the borrower moves out of the home or passes away. How does the lender make money if I’m not paying a mortgage payment?

The interest on the loan is added to the loan balance. Rather than collect on the interest monthly, they collect at the end of the loan.

How much money can I borrow?

There are several factors to consider, including age, the property value, interest rate, and down payment on purchases. How can I find out more?

Call Watermark Reverse Mortgage at 844.594.1708, for a free no obligation consultation!

The Good Life

Every person deserves to live their ideal life. It can be as simple as enjoying a sunrise or sunset or spending time with loved ones. When you think about how you wish to spend your time in retirement, what does that look like? How will you spend your days? Do you want to feel the wind in your hair aboard a sailboat? Maybe it’s hiking through the mountains to discover a waterfall. Perhaps it’s sipping a glass of wine while playing cards on your screened porch with your neighbors.

It’s time to start living your ideal life today. The following pages feature a day in the life of seven couples who have already relocated to inspire you. This section is filled with activities and amenities that you can enjoy once you relocate.

Our hope at Ideal-LIVING is that you start to live “The Good Life” as soon as possible. If you are ready now, good for you. If you are planning a few years out, we urge you to move up your timeline and begin living the good life today!

Every Day is a New Adventure A WESTERN WONDERLAND

by Paul Sage

Peggy and Tom Piccirilli lived and worked in the Denver metropolitan area amidst all the traffic and trappings of a big city. When it came time to look for a place to spread their retirement wings, they looked for a smaller town with a lower cost of living and access to the mountainous beauty of their home state—the Piccirilli’s choice: Homes at Cobble Creek in Montrose in western Colorado. Montrose has a population of just over 20,000 and is 60 miles from Grand Junction. Peggy describes Cobble Creek as “just perfect.” “Sometimes I pinch myself,” she says. Peggy and Tom chose Montrose for its easy access to outdoor activities, from golf to snowshoeing. Because Montrose is in a valley at the base of the San Juan Mountains, the town doesn’t get much snow, and golf can be played almost year-round. Still, the nearby mountains and Uncompahgre National Forest provide classic Colorado winter scenery, endless trails for hiking and biking, and lakes for stand-up paddleboarding.

The Piccirillis are newcomers to Homes at Cobble Creek, a planned community that was started in 1997.

The community clubhouse is the place to go for parties, dining, dancing, and drinking, all with a spectacular view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains. In addition to an 18-hole golf course and pro shop, Cobble Creek offers tennis and pickleball courts, five fishing ponds, a kids’ playground, and a fitness center with a sauna and steam room.

What does a day in the life of the Piccirillis look like?

It might include a round of golf for Tom, a yoga or Pilates class at the fitness center for Peggy, some volunteer work in the Montrose community, and a gathering at the clubhouse with friends. Peggy says Cobble Creek is 70% retired people and that many residents have come here from elsewhere, from California to Maine.

Even when you live in a paradise like Cobble Creek, sometimes you want to get away. The Montrose Regional Airport is served by all the major airlines with direct flights to Denver, Dallas, Phoenix, Houston, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York.

“Sometimes I pinch myself... it’s just perfect.”

Peggy Piccirilli | Cobble Creek

Southern Comfort for Folks From New Jersey

“What are we doing today?” That’s the question Sharon and Scott Johnson ask each other often at their home in Woodside, a gated community of 2,500 homes in Aiken, SC, a 35-minute drive from Augusta, GA. For the Johnsons, there are many answers to that question, and their only challenge is deciding among so many options.

The Johnsons lived in New Jersey, 35 miles west of Manhattan, before moving to Woodside in 2020. One of the first things they noticed was the hospitality of their new neighbors. Sharon noted, “The community is as presented, no false advertising. It’s as friendly as it appears to be.” She describes herself and her husband, Scott, as “Type-A all the way,” explaining that they researched retirement communities in three states. The Johnsons built a spreadsheet to evaluate selected communities against their preferences. “Woodside checked off all the boxes, with good weather and access to good medical care and grocery stores. None of the other communities were undesirable, but they were all missing one important

by Paul Sage

element: we needed to feel comfortable.”

Scott Johnson plays golf three times a week, 12 months a year, at the Reserve Club, one of Woodside’s private clubs with two golf courses, fine dining, and sports facilities. Scott is a member of the Reserve Club Men’s Golf Association, a group that organizes monthly golf events and welcomes those new to the game. Golf, along with the frequent walks the Johnsons take with their two retriever-doodle dogs on Woodside’s trails have helped the couple enjoy good health in their retirement. “We’re in better shape than we were in New Jersey,” said Scott.

For Sharon, living in Woodside is “like going to camp every day. It’s like college with money.” Sharon is an active member of W.O.W., Women of Woodside, a fundraising group that supports the local community with donations of more than $100,000 every year. Sharon also plays mahjong with friends and volunteers every Monday at the local elementary school in Aiken. She helps second graders improve their reading skills.

“[It] is like going to camp every day. It’s like college with money.”

A Quiet Little Town Full of Fun and History

by Paul Sage

Small towns in out-of-the-way places can be hidden gems, taking you back to a simpler lifestyle you might have thought was long gone. The state of Mississippi’s Retirement Attraction Program has certified 14 communities as ideal locations based on these towns’ affordable cost of living, low taxes, low crime rate, quality medical care, recreational opportunities, continuing education, cultural opportunities, and their warm, welcoming culture. One such town is Aberdeen, with a population of 5,600, located 36 miles south of Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley.

Janet Sotille and her husband Ed wanted a historic home, so last year they bought Lenoir Cottage, one of approximately 500 buildings in Aberdeen on the National Register of Historic Places. For the Sotilles, Aberdeen is a big and welcome cultural leap from where they lived in New Jersey. “We wanted a quiet life,” Janet explained.

Quiet, but not boring. Janet is an active volunteer in Aberdeen, offering her talent and energy to the Main Street Art Gallery and the Save Aberdeen Landmarks Association. “They needed me,” she said. Janet explained

that many homes and buildings in Aberdeen that were built before the Civil War have remained unscathed because homes in Aberdeen were used as hospitals for soldiers during the war.

What makes Aberdeen the right place to retire? Tina Robbins, Executive Director at the Aberdeen Visitors Bureau, says people are attracted to her town for its engaging quality of life. Aberdeen had its fourth annual Mardi Gras parade in February, and its 46th Aberdeen Pilgrimage in early April. The Pilgrimage features tours of historic homes, gardens, churches, and public buildings, along with carriage rides and a Boy Scouts Pancake Breakfast. Festivities at the Pilgrimage conclude with a Southern Chic Soiree on Saturday night, featuring live music and wine tasting.

Robbins told us that in the summer of 2022 alone, Aberdeen welcomed 20 new households of retirees from other states, including Utah and Oregon. Retirees in Aberdeen get together at parties and picnics, making it easy to make new friends in a beautiful old town.

Tennessee Lake Living

YEAR-ROUND ACTIVITY

by Kelly Godbey

“We call it paradise. The worst thing about living in Tellico Village is that there are so many things to do, we can’t fit it all in.” Carol (63) and her husband Marty (64) Inkrott started renting at Tellico Village in Loudon, TN, in 2006 and then built a home and moved in permanently in 2017. Coming from Ohio, one of the big differences is year-round outdoor activities.

“If it gets cold in Tennessee, it doesn’t stay cold as long as it did in Ohio. I play pickleball and golf all year round in Tennessee, and I never would be able to do that in Ohio. I just love it. If I’m not doing something outside for a day, I start going crazy because I want to be outside,” says Carol.

Marty says what they do on a typical day varies by the time of year. They live on Lake Tellico and love to spend time on the boat and jet skis in the summertime, especially when their seven grandchildren come to visit. They like to cruise around the lake and share a bottle of wine or stop somewhere with friends to pick up something to eat and just enjoy the water.

When it’s colder outside, they start their days at the gym or by playing pickleball. Marty plays with a men’s

group every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. They both play pickleball and golf several times a week. Marty says, “It’s just a matter of what you choose to be involved in. I’m also on our property owners association board. I’m in my fourth year and the president again this year, so that consumes a lot of my time as well.”

All this activity doesn’t even include all of their social clubs. The Inkrotts also participate in dinner clubs and play cards and games with friends. When they first moved in, they joined the New Villagers. Marty says, “New Villagers is one of the great things about living in Tellico Village, and it’s a great way to get new residents acclimated to the neighborhood and meet many new friends in the same situation.”

“Another good thing about Tellico Village is that the whole community really prides itself on volunteerism,” Marty says. “And, we have all kinds of committees like the finance advisory committee, a long-range planning committee, a public works committee, and a volunteer fire department. Community outreach is a big part of the culture at Tellico Village.

“There are so many things to do, we can’t fit it all in.”

Carol & Marty Inkrott | Tellico Village

Enjoying the Good Life While Working from Home

by Kelly

Great four-season weather, no sales tax, and little traffic attracted Carlos and Lisette Vazquez to the eastern shore of Delaware in 2021. They had raised their children in Maryland and had also lived in the New York City area, and after the children had grown up and moved out, they started their search from Delaware to Florida. Although they were both still working, they wanted to move somewhere close enough to their kids (they are now grandparents) but also to move somewhere they could retire to. “We started thinking about the future and wanted to ensure we got the most for our dollar. You know, a lot can be said about tax-free shopping.”

They couldn’t be happier that they decided on Plantation Lakes in Millsboro, DE. Carlos said, “Plantation Lakes allows us to be close to the beach but still maintain a quiet lifestyle without all the beach traffic of towns

further south. It’s only about 12 miles to Bethany Beach. I am a cyclist, and I love to ride to the beach areas. The roads are very safe and not very crowded.”

Since they are both still working, they see Plantation Lakes as a respite from the chaos of the world. Carlos has worked from home for 17 years, and he knows how to get the most out of his day. He is a runner and starts his mornings with a run around Plantation Lakes. Or, he may go for a morning workout at the community center. “I pretty much have the gym to myself in the early mornings. And, if I can take a break for lunch, I’ll head out to the golf range. I play golf extensively and can play several courses throughout the area. However, the course at Plantation Lakes is second to none, in my opinion. I take advantage during the work week and especially on the weekends. I also go freshwater fishing sometimes in the evening at a nearby pond.”

“This spring, both Lisette and I want to get into pickleball. But there are so many activities during the day as well as in the evening and weekends that you can be as busy as you want or you can certainly just enjoy the weather and the tranquility. There are so many amenities to choose from that you definitely won’t be bored.”

“We wanted to get the most for our dollar.”

Carlos Vazquez | Plantation Lakes

Godbey

Our Forever Home at The Landings

When the residents refer to their home as “Fantasy Island,” you know it must be something special.

“I knew this is where I wanted to live within an hour of being here,” smiles Marguerite Baxter, who relocated to the Landings, near Savannah, GA, with her husband Edward from Washington, D.C., and they couldn’t be happier.

This multi-generational, certified sustainable community is on the tranquil Skidaway Island, making it easy to see how it earned its term of endearment. With 30 miles of bike trails, six championship golf courses, two marinas, eight restaurants complete with award-winning chefs, and over 100 groups to join, the Landings provides entertainment, leisure, and most importantly, a thriving social life for all ages.

“Of all the places we visited, The Landings was the most welcoming by far. We also love the peace and beauty, but it was also important for us to access a cultural scene,” explains Marguerite. Being just 20 minutes by bridge from downtown Savannah means choosing between the SCAD art gallery, the local philharmonic orchestra, dynamic theatre, and vibrant festivals, including an iconic three-day book fair attended by authors such as Stephen King.

by Kim Henry

“We can have a fabulous night out and then come back to our floor-to-ceiling windowed home overlooking the beautiful lagoon, and it’s just perfect,” shares Marguerite, whose average day may consist of a round of golf, lunching with her book club, relishing some peace and quiet, and then meeting friends for a cocktail party in the evening.

The community garden is so abundant that it gives food to local charities, the court sports are on point with pickleball, tennis, bocce, and croquet, and the intracoastal waterway flanks the miles of lush green spaces.

“We love that this is an integrated community. Our two grandchildren can swim in the pools, go to the play park, meet other children, enjoy the marina, boating, and nature - it’s like our very own Disney World.” There’s no doubt Marguerite and Edward have found their forever home. Just a few months after moving in, the couple helped host a Christmas party — for 90 people, which speaks volumes about the friendly atmosphere of this premier community.

“The only way I’m leaving the Landings is in a box,” laughs Marguerite!

Where the Desert Meets the Sea

by Kelly Godbey

Did you know that over 1.6 million Americans live in Mexico either as part- or full-time residents? And, this number has been increasing every year since the pandemic. The appeal of fabulous weather, great food, and lower cost of living draws Americans and Europeans to the clear blue waters and white sand beaches.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes, you’ll find Los Cabos, Mexico, at the tip of the Baja Peninsula. With both sunrise and sunset views, tourism is back and better than ever. Los Cabos is emerging as one of North America’s biggest second-home markets. Known for its bustling nightlife, Los Cabos has become a playground with fine dining, golf, big game fishing, and the arts. Fine cuisine, culture, and art abound. Los Cabos is not a typical Mexican town; it has more of a California-like Mexican style. All this, and you can watch scores of migrating whales from late November until April every year.

Michael and Gloria Sabbath of the Chicago area have visited the Cabo San Lucas area for over 12 years. They

“We’ll watch the sun melt into the ocean every day.” Michael said, “I wake up smiling because every day will be a Saturday or a vacation day.”

Quivira Golf Course

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previously had a three-bedroom, two-bath timeshare but recently decided to move permanently. Tired of cold winters and high taxes, the Sabbaths have opted for a life of luxury in Quivira, a 1,850-acre paradise in Cabo San Lucas that has three award-winning resorts, two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf courses, five-star spas, more than 29 restaurants, and a $7-million new beach club.

“Every night at 5:00, you can watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean from an infinity pool. The sun turns from orange to red in that area. The twilight sky is really quite lovely. We’ve been going down there once or twice a year and keep falling in love with it. We always said, ‘How do we stay longer?’.” After their kids were out of college and on their own, they decided it was the time to move permanently. They wanted to downsize and live in a maintenance-free villa. The housing prices had been rising annually, so they decided now was time and locked into a unit on the first floor of a new tower, where they have views of the new golf course and the ocean beyond that. The Sabbaths will permanently move to Quivira in May. “We’ll watch the sun melt into the ocean every day.” Michael said, “I wake up smiling because every day will be a Saturday or a vacation day.”

He says, “People go to Cabo San Lucas to vacation because they feel vibrant and younger there. You can make yourself as busy as you want in the Quivira area. Nearby you zipline in the hills, can ride dune buggies, or even ride camels on the beach. You can surf, hike, or ride bikes. It’s truly amazing.”

“At Quivira, we plan to go to the beach club, where they have an infinity pool that is maybe 60 yards from

the ocean. Quivira also has what they call the Q Life, which includes cooking classes, Spanish lessons, yoga, pickleball, tennis, and great golf. They have social networking events where they have artists bring their art, and we can hang out and meet new people. You can even watch sea turtles hatch and crawl to the ocean. It’s really quite cool. And, there’s plenty of good hospitals.” When asked if they feel safe moving to Los Cabos, he said, “I’m actually more afraid in Chicago than I am in Los Cabos.” When asked if the language barrier was a problem, he said, “Gloria is from Peru, so she speaks Spanish. But if she didn’t, everyone in Cabo speaks English and is eager to help.”

Michael concluded that he encourages people to “go down there and kick the tires, and you might see what we’re talking about. New hotels are popping up all the time. As I look back to when we first visited the first properties that they built, the prices were low compared to what they are today. But again, real estate is all timing. Even though the prices have gone up, you’ll save money on the cost of living, property taxes, and probably healthcare.”

“People go to Cabo San Lucas... because they feel vibrant and younger there.”

Michael Sabbath, Quivira resident

Quivira Beach Club

Healthy Living

Do you want to feel 10 years younger?

I imagine that most people who read this question are shaking their heads in agreement at this point. Is this even possible? For years we’ve been hearing that 60 is the new 40. While I’m not sure that is entirely true, I do believe that healthy lifestyle changes can make us feel younger, happier, and more vibrant.

It’s all about creating a body, mind, and spirit balance. This can be done by focusing on maintaining good physical and mental health. When you retire, you are given the gift of time. Gone are the days of getting up, commuting to work, making dinner, and repeating this regime the next day. Now, you have time to exercise, and when you couple that with social activities, you have a winning combination. Whatever your interests are, you can find people to engage in those activities with you. You can play pickleball in the morning with a group of friends, followed by lunch, then maybe take an afternoon nap, followed by drinks by the dock watching the sunset over the lake.

Developers of master-planned amenity communities have created entire lifestyles centered around living a healthy, happy lifestyle. From the walking trails that meander through the community to the fitness centers with numerous fitness classes and social engagements, many developers have found the fountain of youth.

The benefits of healthy living are immense, and it helps to prevent chronic diseases, promote mental well-being, and increase lifespan.

Walking Trails

Let You Enjoy Your Community

“Let’s go for a walk.” When you live in a planned community, that energetic suggestion takes on a new and delightful meaning. When Ideal-LIVING surveys its readers, walking trails are the number one requested amenity. And, consequently, most ideal-Living communities offer a variety of walking and hiking trails. Some communities have miles and miles of sidewalks, making walking and meeting your neighbors exceptionally easy.

Trails aren’t just for people. They’re a fun, safe, and healthy way to walk your dogs, away from traffic and abundant in squirrels and other creatures for Fido to focus on. Many communities allow bicycles, trail bikes, and golf carts on their trails.

Are you into bird watching, photography, stargazing, or simply smelling flowers? Trails can be the perfect path to new hobbies and ways to enjoy nature. There are trails with bridges, trails over and around hills, and trails along lakes, rivers, and creeks. Some community trail networks total 30 miles or more in total trail distance. There are

even trails that pass scenic waterfalls and beautiful mountain vistas.

In warm weather, wooded trails offer shade and the chirping sounds of birds. Depending on the location, a community might have a mix of flat and hilly trails ranging from easy to strenuous, so you’re bound to find a trail that’s right for you. With apps like Strava, you can map and measure your daily walks and build up your distance and stamina. Trail walking is great for your heart and soul!

Trails offer a chance to socialize – not just with neighbors you see along the way, but with organized hikes and walking clubs. Many communities keep their trails clear and safe by forming volunteer trail committees. This is a great way to make new friends and contribute some light labor to make your part of the world the perfect place to go for a walk.

So, grab your walking stick and your best friend (two- or four-legged) and hit the trail!

Watersong at Rivertown | Saint Johns, FL

Staying Active and Fit

Planned communities are full of fun, and keeping your mind and body fit is at the core of all the action. One of the main goals of master-planned communities is to offer an environment that fosters the opportunity to get and stay fit, so their residents feel younger and happier. Almost every community has a fitness center with the latest equipment and classes. Below is a sampling of what you can expect at fitness centers in master-planned communities across the country.

On Top of the World Communities in Ocala, FL, has a comprehensive Brain Power program with exercises that combine fitness drills with cognitive challenges to achieve optimal brain aging. Participants engage in cardiovascular, strength, and functional training exercises with an added layer of thinking.

Michele DiCarlo, Sports, Recreation, and Activities Director at Hampton Hall Club in Bluffton, SC, said her club has “top-notch classes and a sense of family.” In addition to Tabata and high-intensity interval training workouts and classes in Zumba, barre, and Tai Chi, Hampton Hall Club is Titleist Performance Institute certified, providing expert mobility exercise for golfers.

Bay Creek in Cape Charles, VA, has two large outdoor pools (one dedicated to lap swimming) and a fitness studio where members can do their cardio workout on a treadmill, bike, or rower, all with a view of the Chesapeake Bay. Bay Creek offers group classes in yoga, spin, and stretching, plus wellness and nutrition assessments.

Seabrook Island in South Carolina provides a state-of-the-art fitness facility with a spectacular ocean view. At Seabrook Island, you can enjoy indoor and outdoor pools and an endless variety of group workouts, from water aerobics to boxing to gentle yoga.

On Top of the World | Ocala, FL

Seabrook Island, SC

Hampton Hall | Bluffton, SC

Make the dream of resort-style living a reality

Court Sports

Use it or lose it, right? We all know that the best way to stay strong and agile is to keep our bodies moving, and what better way to do this than by hitting the courts? Most communities offer an amazing selection of amenities, including many court sports, to keep residents connected, fit, and loving their free time.

Tennis

Anyone for Tennis? Yes, please, especially if you want a whole-body workout. Swinging the racket engages the shoulders, arms, back, and core muscles while reaching, moving, crouching, and even jumping will elevate your heart rate for a satisfying cardio hit.

Pickleball

Pickleball has taken America by storm in the last couple of years! One of the fastest-growing court sports for all ages, pickleball is not only super fun, but it increases cardiorespiratory fitness, reduces blood pressure, and improves a healthy cholesterol level - it’s a win-win win!

Basketball

This fast-paced game will not only provide an effective cardiovascular workout, but will also build bone strength by promoting the formation of new bone tissue. In addition, the hand-eye coordination needed for this sport will keep vital motor skills in tip-top condition.

Volleyball

Volleyball instantly makes us think of summer, friends, and the beach, which is enough to put a smile on anyone’s face. But this fun team sport is also ideal for upper body strength, improving the reflexes and supporting a more grounded sense of balance.

Badmitton

Did you know that besides promoting complete physical fitness, badmitton builds and tones the quads, glutes, calves, and hamstrings? Furthermore, it improves the functioning of the heart by encouraging better blood flow, making it a great choice of exercise for overall wellness.

Bocce Ball

Bocce ball may be a pretty low-impact game, but it still has many physical and mental health benefits. It’s a great stress reliever and involves light cardio. As it’s often played outdoors, it usually involves fresh air and Vitamin D, giving sunlight—all great reasons to check out this sociable game.

Brunswick Forest | Wilmington, NC

It’s Time to Be Social

Think back to your freshman orientation on a large university campus, when you were thrilled to see all the clubs, sports, and events that were ready and waiting for you. But there was just one problem: school. You had to attend classes, write essays, and study for exams. Education was getting in the way of your good time. Flash forward to today, and you can experience all the fun without the term papers. It’s time for you to make more friends than you have had in your life.

Citrus Hills | Citrus Hills, FL

Let’s get this party started!

Get your groove on, whether it’s the samba or line dancing. Or just sit and enjoy the barbecue. Dozens of clubs host social gatherings. Whether you’re married or single, country or jazzy, there’s a party for you. You’ll even find a group that’s just people from your home state.

It’s all fun and games

Card clubs deal everything from bridge to pinochle to poker to euchre, but cards are just the beginning of the fun. No matter the game, there’s a group that plays it: mahjong, chess, Rummikub, Scrabble, and even Mexican Train Dominoes. Or get up and stretch your legs playing cornhole, horseshoes, or shuffleboard.

Get Back to Nature

Whether your community is coastal or up the country, there’s a whole world for lovers of the outdoors. Woodside in Aiken, SC, has a club for the preservation of Monarch butterflies, and another just for friends of bluebirds. On Top of the World in Ocala, FL, has an orchid club.

It’s showtime, and you’re in the show!

Were you in the drama club or marching band in high school? Rekindle your love of the arts and perform again. There’s a club for players of every instrument from dulcimer to ukelele, and theatrical groups for those with acting chops.

Planes, trains, and automobiles

Fly a radio-controlled airplane, build model railroads, or motor around with dozens of fellow Cooper Mini owners. Whatever your hobby, you’ll find a group of like-minded enthusiasts. Photographers, woodworkers, quilters, stamp and coin collectors, and computer geeks gather to share their secrets.

You said there was no math on the test

There isn’t -- unless you happen to like math. There are book clubs and groups that dive into every subject, from genealogy to Bible study, history to astronomy. Many groups invite experts and authors to visit and speak at their meetings.

Southern Springs by DelWebb | Spring Hill, TN

Lakewood Ranch | Lakewood Ranch, FL

Find Your Inner Child

Fitness Director Helps Rekindle Passions

Haley Kinne-Norris is the INSPIRE Wellness and Enrichment Coordinator for Liberty Senior Living, a collection of 21 continuing-care retirement communities for active adults.

INSPIRE stands for Inclusive, Nutritional, Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, and Engaging. It’s that “E” word – engaging – that captures Haley’s mission: to create a robust opportunity for Liberty residents to discover old passions and rekindle them or to find something new they’ve never done before. “One in six older adults in the USA is at risk of social isolation, which can be as dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes,” says Haley. With a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and a Master’s in Gerontology, Haley is well-suited to keep everyone in their communities engaged and active. “Everyone has a kid inside of them,” Haley says, explaining that any activity, from riding a surfboard to playing water volleyball, can be adapted to a person’s abilities and needs. “People who haven’t been in a pool in 40 or 50 years can be encouraged to get back in. Water exercises help with daily movement,” Haley explains. “People can sometimes minimize older adults. If you think they can’t do something, they won’t.” Haley has even created the Liberty Games for residents of eight communities. In March 2023, the Liberty Games included events from water polo to bridge. In addition to all the fun and games, Liberty Senior Living gives its residents many opportunities to enjoy local entertainment and volunteer at schools, soup kitchens, Boys & Girls Clubs, and wherever they can lend a hand and heart.

Desirable 55+ Living Communities in Pennsylvania

YOUR NEW LIFE STARTS HERE.

Dreaming about a home designed just for you, with all the right spaces and details? When you’re planning your forever home, it should include all the features that make it uniquely yours, in a location that just feels like home.

At Landmark Homes, we’ll make sure your home re ects your life and your style. Our 55+ communities, in scenic countryside settings, offer relaxed, low-maintenance living, with bountiful opportunities to explore, connect with others, and stay involved.

CORTLAND PARK - Cumberland County, PA

• Resort-style community with private clubhouse

• Walking trails, community parks, and open space with preserved woodlands

• Single family and townhomes from the $400’s

HOME TOWNE SQUARE - Lancaster County, PA

• Community clubhouse with outdoor pool

• Walking trails, gazebos, and acres of open space

• Limited opportunities! Homes starting from the $400’s

SWEETBRIAR - Lebanon County, PA

• Community clubhouse with outdoor pool

• Walking trails, gazebos, and a scenic pond

• New Phase! 1 and 2-Story homes from the $300’s

WINDING CREEK - Lebanon County, PA

• Clubhouse with outdoor pool, pickleball, bocce ball, and putting green; walking trails with gazebos

SCAN HERE for more details or visit: OWNALANDMARK.COM/55-PLUS-LIVING

• 1 and 2-Story homes from the $400’s

Sharing and Caring

St. James Plantation in Southport is North Carolina’s largest planned community. The St. James Service Club, with a mission to support the quality of life for those most in need in Brunswick County, has raised and donated more than $2.4 million since its founding 25 years ago. “Our Service Club is like a miniature United Way,” says John Thompson, Community Manager for the St. James Plantation Property Owners’ Association. The Service Club’s annual fundraising activities include food and school supply drives, and Celebrating the Holidays in St. James, a tour of festively decorated homes.

St. James CARES (Community Action for Recycling and Environmental Services) is a team of active volunteers who help keep the area’s highways and beautiful beaches litter-free.

St. James has ways for everyone to serve the community by donating their time and talent. Mike’s Garage Band, a group of local musicians, rocks and rolls at fundraising events.

An Island of Caring and Giving

Residents of Dataw Island in Beaufort, SC, have a great time doing great work. Recognizing both the historical and environmental significance of their coastal community, Dataw Island homeowners have a History Club and a Conservancy to protect the man-made and natural treasures of their island. Every year, the Dataw Island Women’s Golf Association has an annual fundraiser to support the local cancer center, and the Dataw Island Quilters create a blanket for each child in a nearby preschool. The Visual Arts Club provided paintings to decorate the community’s new in-patient hospice. Dataw Islanders support veterans’ organizations and many local causes with their time, talent, and treasure. Additionally, residents are well-known for helping Dataw Island employees with annual holiday giving and ad hoc efforts to support employee families in a time of crisis. Friendly, philanthropic, and fun is the spirit of Dataw Island.

St. James | Southport, NC

Dataw Island | Beaufort, SC

Fore!

For centuries we’ve never asked the sport of golf for more than firm ground, fair rules, and a bonny walk. But, we asked way more in 2020, and the fairways took us in, gave us a place to be outside for hours on end, and kept us safe and sane. Golf rounds in America in 2020 were up 13% against the recent average. The following two years, rounds were up 19% and 17%, respectively, an unprecedented boost. Planned amenity communities benefitted from increased golf memberships and more outside play and revenue for the semi-private clubs. So, thank you, golf and your big beautiful fairways…we owe ya!

Hampton Hall | Bluffton, SC

Nature at its Best

“To sit in solitude, to think in solitude with only the music of the stream and the cedar to break the flow of silence, there lies the value of wilderness.” – John Muir

The venerable naturalist of the high Sierras inspired millions by espousing the soul-nurturing benefits of nature. Such, too, is the goal for many a planned community: to gift its residents with places of nature and wilderness. We’ll look at several that are doing just that, starting in New England and moving south to Florida.

Bay Creek | Cape Charles, VA

Planned Communities Preserve Nature

Eastman

Residents of the Eastman community near Dartmouth in New Hampshire have embraced nature and sustainable living for over 40 years. Roughly 12% of the land is set aside in conservation easements, home to sparkling streams, dense virgin forests, and low-impact recreational opportunities. Their golf course is even a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. And students can participate in the popular Youth Conservation Corps in the summer.

Bay Creek

As the Chesapeake Bay flows to the Atlantic, near the tip of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, the Bay Creek community stuns with two miles of private beach. It also offers an engaging 350-acre Nature Preserve, stewarded by an in-house staff naturalist and discovery guide, Joe Fehrer, a veteran of The Nature Conservancy for decades.

Waterways

Five miles of lagoons and lakes swirl through the Waterways community in Richmond Hill, GA, just south of Savannah. A

haven for water recreation, Waterways has also set aside the Hawk Island Nature Preserve as a pristine setting for birds and birdwatchers. The Ossabaw and Wassaw barrier islands provide thousands of acres of protected wetlands to discover, with the Atlantic just beyond.

Wildlight

Located just minutes west of Amelia Island and Georgia’s prized and protected chain of 15 barrier islands, Wildlight is a tidy, walkable, and bikeable planned community that has dedicated over half of its land to preserved wetlands and open space—just 15 minutes from Jacksonville International Airport.

The Isles of Collier Preserve

You can find classic coastal living informed by the charm and history of Old Naples, FL, at the nature-inspired The Isles of Collier Preserve. In addition to eight miles of on-property trails and waterways, the community is framed by 110,000 acres of pristine mangrove forests in the Rookery Bay National Estuary, home to 150 species of birds and a magnet for eco-tourism. The Naples Botanical Garden is also just minutes away.

Wildlight | Wildlight, FL

Colorado

The old adage is that you come to Colorado for the winters but stay for the summers. There’s a lot of truth to that. And a lot to do!

June through mid-August, the high alpine meadows of Colorado bloom with a rainbow of wildflowers, flanked by scores of trails waiting for you to explore the beauty.

Colorado has four National Parks, including Rocky Mountain National Park with its towering peaks stretching to 14,000 feet. Or, wander in the Ancestral Pueblo dwellings at Mesa Verde National Park, with its nearby International Dark Sky Park, for consummate star-gazing.

There are also ballooning festivals, cultural, and sporting events in Denver, white-water rafting and countless places to take a mountain, road or touring bicycle excursion. Or, maybe trek the red brick streets of Aspen in search of an outdoor café and maybe a celebrity or two.

In late summer, on the Western Slope of the Rockies, you’ll revel in the Colorado Mountain Winefest, named the best wine festival in the country by USA Today.

And, the concert season is already in full swing at the Red Rocks Amphitheater, perhaps the most stunning music venue in the country. Just a few hours south, the U.S. Air Force Academy is open for tours of the

The Natural State

Spring and summer getaways in Arkansas, the “Natural State,” hold the promise of glorious dogwood blossoms, national class sporting events, poignant historical landmarks, and cool July temperatures in the ancient and stunningly beautiful Ozark Mountains.

Maybe start your spring ventures in Hot Springs, home to the prestigious Arkansas Derby, hours spent lazing in the National Park’s healing waters, or touring the awesome lakefront Garvan Woodland Gardens. Cabot is not far away, just northeast of Little Rock, home to the 2023 Strawberry Festival, April 29-30.

In the middle of the state, Little Rock is the jumping-off point for a myriad of discoveries. Head east to the swirling Mississippi River Delta that defines the Arkansas border for biking, fishing, paddle boarding, kayaking, boating, and hunting.

Come summer, head northwest to cooler temps in the mountains and search for hidden waterfalls,

hike the Ozarks Highlands Trail, fly fish in pristine streams, mountain bike, or float down the Buffalo River, the first national river in the country.

If a mix of culture beckons, there is a compelling outdoor architecture exhibition hosted by the remarkable Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The museum has five miles of hiking trails dotted with world-class artwork and natural beauty.

BE NEAR EVERYTHING BUT FEEL FAR AWAY

Looking for a gorgeous setting to call home? Then check out Arkansas. In addition to beautiful scenery and limitless outdoor activities, The Natural State also offers an affordable cost of living and a pace that is perfect for slowing down and enjoying life. Visit Arkansas.com/relocate to see how much further your money can go with our relocation calculator.

Hill Station, Little Rock

Emerald Park Trail, North Little Rock

Life on the Water

A noted marine biologist calls it the “Blue Mind” effect. Being close to water can make you happier, healthier, and calmer. No wonder planned communities gracefully integrate water features, either natural or landscaped, into the master plan to enhance the quality of life for its residents.

And, while a home on the ocean or lake can make you very happy, smaller expressions like a waterfall at the entrance gate, natural streams that wind through the golf course, or simply the community swimming pool can have welcome and calming benefits.

Compass Pointe | Wilmington, NC

River Dunes | Oriental, NC

Keowee Key | Salem, SC

a New Coasta l Retrea t

You’ll discover a vibrant community, classic coastal architecture & stunning waterfront properties on 14 miles of the Pamlico Sound, Neuse River & ICW in Coastal NC

Boating

Boating is arguably the most versatile of all recreational water activities, one that stresses fresh air, a fresh perspective on the horizon, and quality time spent with loved ones away from technology. For seniors, there is also the benefit of enhancing balance and mobility and listening to the giggles of grandchildren skipping across the water on an inner tube. What’s your preference? Sailing, ski boat, houseboat, single scull rowing? Or you can do like a dozen ladies at a lake community in South Carolina who tie up their pontoon boats together in the middle of the lake and toast their friendship.

Marinas

What’s more idyllic than an early Saturday morning, large coffee in hand, walking down the marina pier to your boat, loosening the dock lines, and taking off for a sunrise sail? Some marinas even offer dry storage of your power boat. Give the marina a call from home, and within minutes your boat will be in the water waiting for you, all fueled up and stocked with a cooler of refreshments.

Kayaking/Paddleboarding

Two of the fastest growing recreational activities in the country, paddle boarding and kayaking, are kind of kindred spirits in their ability to connect you to nature, reach undiscovered and pristine waterways, and keep you fit and stress-free all while offering the promise of priceless serenity on the water.

Surfing

Surfing has decidedly spawned its own culture, centered on respect for and spiritual connection with the ocean. There are great surf towns like Cocoa Beach, FL, and just about anywhere on the California coast. But technology is making it possible to surf even in the desert. One community in the Coachella Valley is planning 326 homes around a 20-acre, man-made, clear blue lagoon with a wave machine that can create eight-foot swells. Gnarly!

Fishing

Fishing is also a highly versatile recreation with a vital connection to water and nature. There’s tarpon fishing in the Florida Keys, trout fishing at a secret, crystal stream in Montana, bass fishing in Arkansas’ vast lakes, shore fishing on the Outer Banks waiting for the sky to blush before dusk, or maybe ice fishing in Minnesota, where you really don’t need to bring a cooler.

Cultural Activities

Although you may be moving from the bright lights of the big city to somewhere with a slower pace, this doesn’t have to mean an end to cultural nights out. Many planned communities are intentionally developed close enough to buzzing small cities that provide high-quality theatre, interesting art museums, year-round festivals, and a choice of live music venues. Many communities even host a range of entertainment within their clubhouses or restaurants, ensuring that retiring from work doesn’t have to mean retiring from an exciting nightlife!

Live Music

Letting your hair down for a night of live music can get the body moving and the spirit soaring! Relaxing to a classical concert or getting down to some old-school rock, having live music establishments close by, or even within your community, is a great way to stay young.

Theatre

Who doesn’t love a good musical? Sing along to all your favorite show tunes or soak up the drama of a classic piece of theatre at your local thespian venue. In addition to Broadway touring productions, the modern standard of community theatre often matches the most professional of shows, providing many choices for theatre lovers.

Art

Slowing down brings the time to finally build upon life-long hobbies, like a love of painting or drawing. It’s never too late to develop your artistic skills by taking workshops or classes at a local museum, or you can always enjoy meandering through the inspiring exhibits and galleries.

Festivals

These days you can find a festival dedicated to the most random of interest, and they’re no longer only held in the summertime! Whether it’s pottery, antiques, or hot air balloons, researching what’s happening in the area around your community can turn up some pretty fun surprises and make for a great day trip.

Wellen Park | Wellen Park, FL

Mural in Wellen Park | Florida

Lifelong Learning

For many of us, the most anticipated measure of retirement life is the withdrawal of all the hours one has banked over the decades, saved to pursue a passion project now, to read, to explore, or just learn to bake bread. And knowing that out there in the world, there are thousands of avenues to gain knowledge and stay mentally sharp for decades. Better known as Lifelong Learning.

One organization is getting an A+ in that subject. So are many forward-thinking residential communities.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) is a vast nationwide network of college and university centers that offer intellectual and cultural experiences for people over 50, inspiring them to take a fresh look at the world of possibilities. The programs are conducted independently from the school, but are largely taught by the local faculty, graduate students, and visiting experts on a subject.

Take, for instance, the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. In recent years, their OLLI curriculum offered everything from beginner arts and crafts to expansive learning field trips

to Mackinaw Island, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, and even an architectural dig in Scotland.

But, planned amenity communities around the country are also augmenting that national initiative. Keowee Key, a gorgeous lake and golf community in upstate South Carolina, has a dizzying array of over 50 social and learning activities for club members, including a bi-monthly Speaker Series held in the community’s ballroom, conducted by regional university professors and deans, and covering diverse subjects from Facing Climate Reality to The Story of Southern English. They have a really good wine club, too!

Town Centers

The poor car keys never saw it coming…the advent of the town center in master-planned communities. Sure, if you’re doing the grocery shopping for a week, you’ll be jumping in the car. But if you just want an ice cream cone, a pedicure, or craft beer, hop on your bike or stroll down to the town center. The development industry refers to a town center as a walkable retail village, framed by community gathering spaces and recreational amenities that create a sense of placemaking. We just call them fun, social, and convenient! This is a sampling of a few communities that have gotten the town center just right.

Wellen Park Florida

A sprawling community in Venice, FL, Wellen Park opened its Downtown Wellen town center this spring. The center offers restaurants, shopping, an outfitter, beauty, and professional services, all in a picturesque setting of public community green spaces, parks, promenades, and the 80-acre Grand Lake.

Brunswick Forest North Carolina

Residents of Brunswick Forest near the Cape Fear River on the North Carolina coast enjoy a bustling town center called The Villages, anchored by a full-service grocery store and a comprehensive medical center. There is also an Irish pub, CVS, vision center, oyster shack, veterinary hospital, and much more tucked in an inviting setting.

Birchwood at Brambleton Virginia

Birchwood is an elegant 55+ planned community in Brambleton, VA, a western suburb of Washington, D.C. Residents enjoy the warmth of the Brambleton Town Center, chock full of traditional hometown shops, plus the sleek new Bram Quarter center located adjacent to the community.

Ranch Florida

Babcock Ranch, America’s first solar-powered town, rambles across 17,000 acres near Florida’s gulf coast. Its Founder’s Square town center is the hub for provisions, libations, celebrations, office co-working space, convenient health services, and consummate sustainability, all framed by the shores of Lake Babcock.

Babcock

Downtown Wellen Park town center opening

Step inside luxury with expertly designed main-level living, single-family homes. Offering the perfect blend of social opportunities, amenities, and nearby shopping & healthcare, these communities allow you to downsize without compromise. With included lawn care and snow removal, you can stay close to friends and family while living the carefree lifestyle you deserve.

Food & Wine

One of the most enjoyable things about life is sharing good food with family and friends. Eating together is a form of bonding that helps you build and stregthen relationships, while creating shared experiences and community. Exploring new foods together can be exciting and adventurous. So when you are exploring areas to relocate to, don’t forget to check out the restaurants and wine shops in the places you visit.

Let’s Meet at the Club

Corner | The Landings, Savannah, GA

Chef Sam Brod

Chef of Three Clubhouse Restaurants at The Landings

Country clubs offer the perfect place to meet with your friends and neighbors for a drink or a fabulous meal prepared by a notable chef. A place to socialize and meet new friends as well, country clubs can be the center of activity in a private community. Whether you are coming in for a mid-day snack before you hit the back nine or host an event, the chefs at these clubs are eager to create a savory dish.

by Fanny Slater

Other than seasonality, what inspires you to change around a menu? Reading cookbooks? Watching food programs? Traveling?

Chef Sam Brod

The Landings | Savannah, GA

Chef Shane White

Keowee Key | Salem, SC

ennsylvania farm turned farmExecutive Brod knows 12 when it running mulkitchens. At the Club in SaGA, a regular chef’s busy involves everything dishing out a wedding dinprepping for the morning’s ravenous brunch crowd of 150. A well-traveled culinarian, Chef Brod’s former venture was Executive Chef at Grandfather Country Club NC. The opportunity to flex all of his food what draws him into an environment where through three different kitchens and pleasdifferent appetites is the norm. Having access to freshly-sourced, organic bounty of the land has also impact as Chef Brod has dedicated his career to in-season ingredients and creating one-offare.

Executive Chef Brod is proud to announce that The Landings Golf & Athletic Club’s Culinary team was awarded the 9th best culinary experience in the country for 2022. Dining at any of the eight restaurants at The Landings is a first-class experience ranging from casual bites to fine dining. He inspires the other club chefs by using fresh and local ingredients. With over 3,300 club members, The Landings staff is hard at work creating culinary delights.

I do a lot of reading. I try to keep up with modern cookbooks, but I also enjoy classic period books that keep my creative juices flowing. These recipes all give me ideas and inspiration. Knowing what’s in season also really helps, so I read a lot of articles on the local markets, what’s trending, and literature from different purveyors. I also really enjoyed The NoMad Cookbook (from the authors of acclaimed Eleven Madison Park). Regionally, I’m a big fan of Patrick O’Connell. His restaurant is the quintessential southern chateau. We also do culinary training here at the club, so we keep plenty of Escoffier books around as well as other true French classics.

I read that you served as Executive Chef at Grandfather Country Club in Boone, NC. What was it that drew you into the country club environment?

With close to 20 years as the Executive Chef at Keowee Key, Chef Shane values the relationships with club members. Serving more than 3,000 residents from all 50 states, Keowee Key houses two restaurants and the largest event space within a tri-county area. There’s a Southern influence to the menus, including shrimp and grits, crabs cakes, and pimento cheese. The chef’s table, where he creates special menus to celebrate special occasions, has been wildly successful.

some fan favorites (or staple items) on your will always stick around in some form? is our chop house (similar to a Ruth’s Chris), locally-sourced meats and steaks. We have a ribeye on the menu that—if we took it off—peobe offended. At Plantation, our farm-to-fork restaurant, the menus change often. The sous buttermilk fried chicken and crab cake with brussel southern-style creamed corn are both staples also do a fabulous all-local salad made up of candy-striped beets with goat cheese and baby wild arupartner with a lot of local purveyors.

of the clubhouses where you create the you have a style of dining at one where

Chef Jay Cantrell

Savannah Quarters | Savannah, GA

I enjoy the diversity in dining and serving. One of our restaurants does $4 million in high-end catering for banquets and weddings, whereas we also do everything from Italian wine dinners to crab boils. I never wanted to stay at a single restaurant due to the monotony of it. It’s also a more personal experience which can be good and bad. If someone doesn’t have a great experience, you’ll see them again so I’m faced with the challenge of keeping diners happy. On the positive side—you also get to know people’s dining preferences. This is a bit more apparent at smaller country clubs, whereas we have 3,000 memberships so we’re the size of a small community.

I like that some people come because they want the full dining experience, and some simply come because they want supper. Our job is to help them achieve whatever they’re looking for. Speaking of, we have a great program called LEAF (lifestyle extension and fulfillment) that we denote across our menus. It’s not a “spa menu” or a way of counting calories. It’s simply our commitment to nutrientdense foods that are low in saturated fat and high in good fats—and have protein that’s wild or farm-

Executive Chef Jay Cantrell at The Club at Savannah Quarters is no stranger to shaking up the classics. Ingrained with a lifelong dream of living on the shoreline, his wishes came true when he landed in one of the top culinary programs in Charleston, SC. From there, he dabbled in some of the area’s award-winning eateries followed by a transition to Georgia, where he helped open (and set the tone for) legendary downtown dining destination, Vic’s on the River.

Executive

Foodie Towns

While good restaurants can be found just about anywhere, there are certain cities that are known for exceptional culinary delights. If you’re a foodie and appreciate trying new restaurants or exploring farmers markets and farm-to-table restaurants, check out these towns. New restaurants pop up all the time from top-rated chefs.

Wilmington, NC

Tampa, FL

Nashville, TN

Greenville, SC Austin, TX

Asheville, NC

Harrisburg, PA

Savannah, GA Orlando, FL

The Good Life Questionnaire & Webinar

1. I/We would consider the following states/regions:

 Mid-Atlantic (DE, PA, NJ, WV, VA, MD)

 Tennessee

 Southeast (NC, SC, GA)

 Florida

 Gulf States (AL, MS, AR, TX)

 West (AZ, CO, NV, UT, OR, CA, NM, WA)

 Caribbean

 Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama)

2. I/We prefer:

 Coastal  Lake

 Mountains  Foothills

 Desert  Piedmont

3. What type of city or town do I/we prefer?

 Urban  Small Town

 Suburban  Rural

4. How many hours are we willing to travel to visit family and friends?

 Less than 2 hours

 2-4 hours

 4-8 hours

 Over 8 hours

5. What type of climate do you prefer?

 Warm weather year-round

 Mild, temperate climate

 Distinct four seasons with cold winters and hot summers

6. My/Our ideal home would be in a

 Gated Community

 55+ Community

 Golf Course Community

 Traditional Neighborhood Design

 Community with a Private Club

7. The following amenities are important to me/us?

 Pickleball

 Tennis

 Golf

 Walking/Biking Trails

 Beach Access

 Marina/Boating

 Kayaking/Paddleboarding

 Equestrian

 Water Views

 Social Clubs

 Clubhouse

 Fitness Center

 Pool

 On-site Dining

 Hunting/Fishing

 On-site Spa

 Mountain Views

8. Choose from the following for importance and proximity:

 Top-Rated Hospital

 Regional Hospital

 Shopping

 College/University

 Cultural Events/Theatre

 Access to Parks/Greenspace

 Potential Employment Opportunities

 International Airport

 Sports Venue

9. What size home do we want?

 More than 3,000 sq. ft.

 2,500 to 3,000 sq. ft.

 2,000 to 2,500 sq. ft.

 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft.

 Under 1,500 sq. ft.

10. What is my/our budget for a new home?

 <$500K

 $500K - $750K

 >$750K

11. How soon will we visit?

 Within the next 3 months

 6 months

 6 months to a year

After reviewing the amazing ways you can live the good life in this issue, it’s time to think about how you wish to fill your days to help you narrow options in your search to find your ideal destination, life, and home. Start by completing this questionnaire to help guide you, then reserve your spot at “The Good Life” webinar hosted by Ideal-LIVING magazine’s editor, Kelly Godbey. Scan

12. When will we purchase?

 Within 6 months

 6 months to a year

 1 to 2 years

IT’S YOUR MOVE

If you’d rather work on your forehand than floor repair, Cresswind makes it easy to find your next adventure, new home and fun. This is active adult living designed for the way you want to live.

Visit Cresswind.com to start your search, get a FREE guide with tips on finding the right community and schedule an online or in-person tour.

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Don’t we all want more time to enjoy life? More time to get things done, to make friends and to nurture relationships. More time to focus on family or for yourself. At Lakewood Ranch, we’re all about enjoying life. That’s’ why our community is filled with shopping, dining, nature, entertainment and recreation. So that everything you may need from day-to-day is nearby and conveniently located.

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