4R ❚ SUNDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2018 ❚ THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC
InspiredLivingAZ.com
December 2018
A S P E C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N C R E AT E D B Y R E P U B L I C M E D I A C O N T E N T M A R K E T I N G
Ready, set,
get active!
Active-adult communities’ settings and amenities appeal to still-working buyers with diverse interests and lifestyles By PAULA HUBBS COHEN / With additional reporting by Debra Gelbart
W
hen it comes to new housing, active adults — retired or still working — have their choice of settings. Often located in view-rich areas, there are communities for those who want to live in an enclave of similar-aged peers, while other communities are located adjacent to a larger master-plan that includes people of all ages.
One example is Victory at Verrado, which is located within the master-planned community of Verrado in Buckeye. “Victory appeals to those who want to be able to retreat to their own space after visiting their grandchildren across the way in Verrado,” said Lauren Charpio, head of marketing for Verrado. There is no gate distinguishing Victory from Verrado and Victory residents have access to Verrado’s amenities. Using a different, but equally successful approach, Robson Communities offers activeadult communities that are not connected to all-ages communities. “A benefit with an exclusive active-adult community is that the amenities and activities are 100 percent dedicated to residents,” said Steve Soriano, executive vice president at Robson Communities. Robson’s Phoenix-area communities include PebbleCreek in Goodyear and Robson Ranch Arizona in the Casa Grande/Eloy area. With both age-restricted and all-ages communities, most Trilogy residents want to “connect and engage with people who want to do the same things they’re interested in,” said Hal Looney, Trilogy by Shea Homes Arizona area president. Trilogy communities are in Vistancia (Peoria), Rio Verde (Rio Verde/ Scottsdale), Encanterra (San Tan Valley) and Wickenburg Ranch in Wickenburg. Trilogy at Vistancia is age-restricted but situated within all-ages Vistancia; the other Trilogy communities are for all ages but have activeadult neighborhoods.
Abundant lifestyle amenities
The activities and amenities offered at these communities is often a huge draw. To wit: in addition to a fitness center, four pools and an expansive clubhouse with a spa and restaurant, amenities at Victory at Verrado include an extensive path and trails system, eight pickleball courts and a vineyard, Charpio said. Looney said that Trilogy residents are demanding a wider variety of activities including “foodie” experiences. To accommodate them, Trilogy communities offer a culinary studio with a family-style gathering table where the community’s resident chef holds cooking demonstrations. Along with gorgeous golf courses, Robson communities boast more than 100 clubs, leagues and associations, Soriano said. “No matter what your favorite activity is, there’s something here for you.”
Younger and more active residents
Del Webb
From Bocce ball, to golf, to hitting the gym, many activelifestyle communities offer a huge variety of opportunities to stay fit and healthy.
It’s no surprise that active-adult homebuyers are younger, more active and more inclined to work longer [than in years past], noted Trey Bitteker, vice president of sales for PulteGroup’s Arizona Division, which has developed two Del Webb active-adult communities in metro Phoenix: Sun City Anthem in Florence and Sun City Festival in Buckeye. Sun City Anthem is next door to all-ages Parkside, while Sun City Festival is adjacent to all-ages Festival Foothills. “The notion of seeking an active-adult lifestyle GET ACTIVE, continued on page 2
Below: Victory at Verrado views.
Mark Boisclair
AR-0008760193-01