by Robert Borges on January 13, 2025
The senior housing market has undergone major shifts in the past several years. Some market trends for senior housing include accounting for the aging Baby Boomer demographic, affordability challenges, the increased desire for active adult communities, and urban location preferences.
While many recent retirees want to move south to enjoy a warm or milder climate, it can be difficult to find fifty-five-plus adult community homes for sale in North Carolina if you don’t know where to start. In this article, we’ll discuss major factors impacting senior housing market trends, as well as where you can find an active adult community that hits all of your retirement goals.
Aging Baby Boomer Demographic
The need for senior housing and active adult housing has increased significantly within the past decade due to the aging Baby Boomer generation. By 2030, all Baby Boomers will reach retirement age, meaning they will be sixty-five years or older. This will create a surge in demand for a range of senior living arrangements, including active adult communities.
Many communities will need to expand their facilities, and aging adults should start planning for retirement in advance to secure their places in their top-choice communities.
Affordability Challenges
It’s no secret that many Americans have struggled with the rise of inflation in the past decade alone. When you are preparing to live on a fixed income, it’s important to carefully consider where you will live. You might ask questions like, ‘Are property taxes higher in North Carolina or South Carolina?’ or, ‘Which state offers the most tax benefits to retirees? Which state has the lowest cost of living?’ These are all great jumping off points for your research.
As such, we’ve seen more adults look to states like Idaho and Oklahoma for retirement rather than Southern California or Florida, as these less-common states tend to have a much lower cost of living while still providing many of the benefits that seniors look for. More and more adult living communities are developing in states like:
- Arkansas
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- Utah
- Texas
- West Virginia
You can find top-quality senior housing in these states (and more) by using the Private Communities search tool!
Urbanization and Location Preferences
Urban areas are becoming much more attractive locations for senior housing developments and homes for retirees. This is because there is greater proximity to public transportation options, healthcare facilities, social gathering places, and cultural attractions.
All of these factors are attractive to seniors who want to live independent, active lives. However, urban settings can have higher risk of crimes, noise issues, and are often far more expensive than housing in suburban and rural areas.
The Rise of Active Adult Communities
Active adult communities are designed for individuals above the age of fifty-five who can live independently. These communities platform wellness opportunities, socialization and community, and recreational activities. This can be ideal for seniors who seek to continue an active and engaged lifestyle into their retirement years.
These communities are typically age-restricted and are focused on social living. They typically organize activities, clubs, and events for the residents and come with a wealth of amenities, such as fitness centers, walking trails, golf courses, and even on-site dining options.
Why Choose an Active Adult Community?
An active adult community can be an ideal situation for anyone fifty-five and older as they plan for retirement. It can provide a supportive environment that encourages an active lifestyle, overall wellness, and community-building.
When you leave the workforce, you usually say ‘goodbye’ to an entire community you were connected to for years and years. You may spend less time on your feet, meeting new people, or exercising your mind. Active adult communities can counteract this.
These communities are ideal for health-conscious and socially-active retirees. You can enjoy hiking trails, water aerobics classes, book clubs, and more without ever leaving your neighborhood! But how do you know which community is right for you?
With Private Communities, you can use our simple search tool to find private, adult communities in your desired state, price range, and housing type with the amenities you want. You can request anything from horseback riding to shuttle services, and we can connect you with a community in your budget and desired location.
Closing Thoughts
The senior housing market is in a time of rapid expansion because of the aging Baby Boomer demographic. Adults who seek an active community where they can thrive in retirement should start the search now because demand is set to increase in the near future. To learn more about active adult communities and life in retirement, check out our other posts!
