America 's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities

Across the country, there are options for a variety of Lifestyles and budgets

by Mary Lu Abbott

As seen in Where to Retire Magazine - July/August 2005

More than an honor roll, our 2005 selection of America 's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities tells the story of significant retirement trends for the next half of this decade. Since beginning this biennial recognition of communities in 1999, Where to Retire editors have witnessed a burgeoning growth in developments marketed toward empty nesters and retirees. But the growth is only a minor swell compared to the wave of new communities on the horizon as the leading edge of the baby boomers starts turning 60 next year.

Among the trends:

• Retirement destinations now spread far beyond the Sunbelt . More retirees are choosing four-season climates and in some areas that may seem surprising. This year we feature communities in a record 32 states.

For the first time our selection includes Minnesota , Montana , Oklahoma , and Idaho . Our Montana community, Mission Bay , sits on Flathead Lake not far from the Canadian border. But before you say "brrr," it's in a "banana belt," with a milder climate than some other areas so far north. Another indication: Del Webb, the pioneer in building active-adult communities, until a few years ago concentrated on a few Sunbelt states. Now part of Pulte Homes, Del Webb is in 17 states and keeps expanding.

• Planned communities in suburban and semi-rural areas are booming.

Retirees like the small-town environments with big-city amenities nearby. Homes in communities debuting all over the Northeast often sell quickly. The reason: Many retirees in Boston , New York City, Philadelphia and Baltimore-Washington DC want a change in lifestyle. Unlike their parents, though, they don't want to move to Florida . They want to be closer to their families and be able to go into the city when they want.

• More empty nesters are making pre-retirement moves.

One couple we interviewed expressed the sentiment of many: "The kids are grown and gone, the dog is dead and we don't need this big house anymore." More people are moving in their 50s. Sometimes they stay close enough to commute to their jobs, but many times they're working from new homes that are wired for high-tech communications. In its 2004 study of baby boomers, Del Webb reports that 20 percent to 50 percent of those buying in active-adult communities are not retiring at move-in.

• Active-adult communities are blending with multigenerational developments.

Most age-restricted communities have been stand-alone developments, but a growing trend is the development of active-adult neighborhoods within larger master-planned communities with multiple generations. For instance, at its new Circle Square Ranch, On top of the World Communities in Ocala , FL is planning neighborhoods for empty nesters, for younger professional and for active-adults.

• Green space is a prime amenity.

We've seen more communities preserving wetlands, woodlands, and natural habitat, creating nature trails and pocket parks. Developers of communities with golf courses often tell us that only about 30 percent of the buyers actually golf but they want to live in the community because of the green space.

• Sidewalks and porches are in.

More communities are adapting new-urbanism designs that foster neighborly camaraderie. Homes are close to sidewalks to encourage conversation with passers-by, and garages are at the back on alleys. If that sounds familiar, you're probably of a certain age. For many retirees, the small-town atmosphere harkens to childhood. Harmony in Harmony, FL and Habersham in Beaufort , SC are examples of such communities.

• Home pricing as planned communities prove extremely successful.

Some communities have so many people interested in buying that when they open a new phase for development, buyers must put their names in a lottery for the lots. Some builders can not construct homes as fast as buyers want them. Naturally, prices have risen since we did our 100 Best Master-Planned Communities in 2003. Some base-price increases have been minimal, only about $10,000, but others have risen $60,000 to $100, 000 or more. However, some increases have resulted when smaller home models are no longer available.

Our new list of 100 Best Master-Planned Communities has a wider variety of choices than ever, from award-winning communities with homes starting under $100,000 to neighborhoods with homes starting at $500,000 or more. We have options in the mountains, on lakes, by the ocean, in the desert and adjacent to big cities. We do offer a few caveats. We give the range of base home prices, but these often change monthly, so you can expect higher prices. Also some lots command premiums, thus increasing prices.

Virginia

Bay Creek - Cape Charles , Virginia

On Virginia 's Eastern Shore, Bay Creek borders the small town of Cape Charles , helping preserve the area's history and laid-back coastal environment. This fall Bay Creek opens the first phase of its clubhouse, four plantation-style show homes and a Jack Nicklaus golf course to join an Arnold Palmer course. Along the community's Chesapeake Bay shoreline, it has built as a museum a replica of an 1886 lighthouse that once stood nearby. Residents have beaches, tennis, pool, and a marina with retail village.

Ralph and Jeannette Orzo are boaters from New York . "We wanted close to the water, a new home and no maintenance. We wanted a place that was not too cold." Ralph says. Bay Creek was the first place on their list to see. They bought one unit of a low-maintenance carriage home, and Jeanette's parents bought the other side. "We're free to go on our boat and not worry about the home," Ralph says.

Prices: $300,000s - $2 million and up for condos and single-family homes

Status: 284 homes built on 786 home sites sold of 2,700 planned on 2,000 acres.

Age-restricted: No

Information: Bay Creek Golf and Marina Resort

3335 Stone Road

Cape Charles , VA 23310

800-501-7141.

back to top