by Ben Keal on February 17, 2025
Active adult communities for those over fifty-five are popping up around the country at a rapid speed to serve a booming retiree demographic looking to adopt independent living arrangements with all the bells and whistles. These locales are expected to take shape according to the needs, demands, and preferences of the market, with real estate trends in retirement community developments including tech-ready housing, high-end facilities, and social-heavy calendars.
The Active Adult Demographic
Baby boomers are one of the largest generations, clocking in at a whopping seventy-three million in the US. By 2030, everyone in this demographic will be at least sixty-five years old, contributing to the overall aging population of the country in the next decades.
Understanding the growing active adult demographic paints a picture of the future of several important sectors in the country, including real estate. The market will shift with this population, with trends emerging to accommodate their needs and preferences.
The Rise of Active Adult Communities
The rise of fifty-five-and-older communities is a testament to how the real estate industry is changing to cater to the baby boomer generation. Unlike their parents, this group is moving away from institutional retirement communities.
Commonly labeled as ‘active adults,’ this cohort prioritizes active and dynamic physical and social lifestyles and is attracted to housing projects that provide them with features, amenities, and opportunities to enrich these aspects of their lives. Fifty-five-and-older communities are set in prime locations and provide residents with the freedom of independent living underscored by maximum comfort and convenience.
Active Adult Housing Projects: Looking Forward
These housing projects are thriving and are set to be a preferred option by active adults as they settle into this next phase in their lives. Here are some of the trends we see emerging as these developments flourish in the coming years:
Modern Homes
Active adult communities commonly feature a variety of housing options, from single-family homes to townhouses to condominiums. These spaces are customizable to the resident’s taste but come with built-in modern utilities such as tech-ready furniture and high-end finishes, following the high demand for luxury features in senior housing projects.
High-End Amenities
Neighborhoods tailored to active adults come with a range of amenities that fit their dynamic lifestyles. These include amenities that mimic those that you enjoy in high-end resorts, like indoor and outdoor dining, state-of-the-art fitness centers, social spaces, walking trails, village shops, and more.
Social Opportunities
Along with staying physically active, individuals over fifty-five aim to stay socially engaged, and this requires master-planned communities that include an array of social opportunities in their offerings. This means everything from book clubs, gardening groups, and civic organizations to packed events calendars that include classes, hobbies, and mixers.
The Best Communities For You
With so many active adult housing projects sprouting up across the country, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from. At Private Communities, we’re committed to helping you find the right community for you through our dedicated search platform, which allows you to filter neighborhoods by location, amenities, and more!
About the Author
Since 2012, Ben Keal has led PCR solidifying PrivateCommunities.com as a top source in helping prospective buyers find their ideal lifestyle community. With decades of experience in both sales and real estate, he has built lasting relationships with the country's top developers, homebuilders, country clubs, and real estate agents. A licensed real estate broker, Ben also serves as the Managing Broker for Private Communities Realty, LLC (a wholly owned subsidiary of Private Communities Registry, LLC)—further ensuring PCR's mission to uphold the company's reputation as a responsible and trusted broker for real estate shoppers interested in amenity-rich, master-planned lifestyle communities.
