Florida is no longer the only retirement destination for active adult homebuyers aged 55 and older. According to the Retirement Living list of the best cities in the U.S. to retire, Atlanta ranks at No. 4 in 2021 due to the low cost of living, favorable tax rates and low cost for assisted living compared to the national average.
Active adult homebuyers are redefining what it means to retire and choosing to live in metro communities to be closer to family and friends. Atlanta features plenty of affordable housing options and heaps of amenities sure to keep active adults from all walks of life entertained.
According to U.S. News, Atlanta is ranked No. 47 on its list of the 150 best places to retire in the U.S. and also ranks highly on its list of best geriatric care, giving residents convenient access to top-ranking emergency and medical care providers in a thriving metropolitan center.
It’s no secret Atlantans have access to an abundance of green spaces in and outside metro Atlanta and enjoy numerous amenities including fine dining, major and minor league sports, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and more.
Georgia’s mild climate makes it easier for active adults to enjoy an active lifestyle. The Peach State averages 47 inches of rain per year, allowing for gorgeous fall foliage and bright spring blossoms. This makes it easy to forget Florida’s lack of seasons.
There are several metro Atlanta home builders focused on the active adult lifestyle. Here are a few we think are worth checking out!
Cresswind Communities by Kolter Homes
Kolter Homes is a leader in developing active adult communities in the Southeastern United States. The most important aspect of living in an active adult community is to stay active and engaged. Cresswind by Kolter Homes’ award-winning programs and activities facilitated by its Lifestyle Directors to help homeowners “live better, longer.”
Under the new tagline, ‘Set Yourself F.R.E.E.,’ Cresswind communities support the four cornerstones of engaged and healthy living: Fitness, Relationships, Education and Entertainment. Director of Lifestyle at Kolter Homes Mark LaClaire is one of the top-rated lifestyle directors in the country, recognized by the National Association of Home Builders. For more information regarding the builder’s recently expanded award-winning program, check out our blog.
Cresswind Peachtree City
Cresswind Peachtree City, located south of Atlanta in Peachtree City, features miles of golf cart paths. Many Peachtree City residents leave the car in the garage and instead opt for traveling via a golf cart. Cresswind Peachtree City also offers residents gorgeous nature trails, perfect for enjoying bird watching or biking through the various cleared paths with bridges and a nearby stream.
Residents enjoy an impressive amenities package featuring a resident-only clubhouse with a fitness center, social spaces, an arts and crafts studio, a demonstration kitchen and an indoor pool. In addition to walking and hiking trails, outdoor amenities also include pickleball and tennis courts, a resort-style pool with a sundeck and an event lawn.
Surrounded by more than 400 acres of rolling hills, Cresswind Peachtree City offers convenience to local shopping, dining, golf and healthcare facilities via 100+ miles of golf cart paths. For further exploration, the community is roughly 20 minutes from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, 25 minutes from Atlanta’s major sporting venues and 25 minutes from downtown Atlanta.
Priced from the $328,000s to $545,000s, award-winning floor plans range from 2,027 to 3,783 feet and feature two to four bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half baths and two-car garages with optional add-ons, such as golf cart garages, screened-in porches, unfinished or finished upper-level bonus rooms, extended patios, finished basements and more.
Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes
Located in Hoschton, Georgia, picturesque lakes and activities, such as kayaking, canoeing and catch-and-release fishing, are just a few reasons to love Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. Located within the Twin Lakes development, Cresswind Georgia serves as the active adult component with a low-maintenance lifestyle and plans for future extensive, resort-style community amenities inside and out.
Currently under construction and projected to open in 2022, the resident-only Lakeview Clubhouse will feature a lounge area, event spaces, arts and crafts room and an indoor pool with lap lanes. There is also a cardio studio and a state-of-the-art Cresswind SmartFIT Training Center powered by EGYM, a program guaranteed to help users improve strength and reduce biological age. Planned outdoor amenities include a resort-inspired pool, walking trails throughout, event lawn, bandshell, bocce and tennis courts and access to fishing, kayaking and canoeing on the community’s two lakes.
Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes will also feature an onsite Pickleball Center with more than 40 pickleball courts to serve as the community’s signature. Capable of hosting large-scale tournaments, the first of which will be the inaugural Cresswind Cup, the Cresswind Pickleball Center is estimated to be one of the largest private pickleball complexes in the Southeast and the largest in Georgia. Currently, in the planning stages, the Cresswind Cup will bring together players and neighbors from Cresswind communities across the Southeast.
Priced from the $284,000s to $464,000s, home designs at Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes range from 2,052 to 3,502 square feet of living space. Homes feature two-to-three bedrooms, two to three-and-a-half baths and a plethora of personalization options including flexible room configurations, finished or unfinished bonus rooms, golf cart garages, enclosed patios and more. The community’s Jackson County address offers a serene, nature-inspired locale without forgoing convenience to popular destinations in downtown Hoschton and Braselton.
Traton Homes
Traton Homes currently has four beautiful active adult communities, all featuring easy access to some of northern metro Atlanta’s favorite destinations. Since 1971, Traton Homes has been a proud Georgia home builder, promoting ‘Altogether More’ style and substance so homeowners can achieve their homeownership dreams.
Courtyards at Camden
Courtyards at Camden is a nearly sold out active adult community situated in the thriving city of Acworth with prices from the high $400,000s. Gorgeous ranch-style homes surround incredible amenities including a clubhouse, pool, bocce ball court and fire pit gathering area, which will all serve as the social centerpiece of the community. A community dog park is available for giving man’s best friend plenty of playtime, and extensive sidewalks foster relationships among neighbors.
With a convenient location just minutes from downtown Kennesaw and downtown Acworth, opportunities for dining, concerts, community events and more await. In addition, Lake Allatoona offers plenty of boating fun, while Lake Acworth offers quiet water activities including kayaking, fishing or laying on the community beach.
If golf is more of an ideal retirement activity, the location of Courtyards at Camden is close to some of north Georgia’s best courses. Visit Cobblestone Golf Course on the shores of Lake Acworth or consider joining one of the local clubs such as Brookstone or Governors Towne Club.
Kirk Ridge
Homeowners at Kirk Ridge also enjoy Traton’s home plans designed exclusively for active adults priced from the mid-$400,000s and a sought-after location near the city of Marietta.
Shopping enthusiasts love the convenient access Kirk Ridge offers to The Avenues West Cobb and the Barrett Parkway corridor, which includes Town Center Mall. Golf is another Kirk Ridge pasttime homeowners enjoy, with a convenient location to the member-owned Marietta Country Club. Outdoor enthusiasts will love being within walking distance to the trails and green spaces that make up Kennesaw Mountain Park.
Courtyards at Hickory Flat
Traton’s fourth active adult community, opening this Spring, is located in Canton just north of Hickory Flat. Offering ranch homes priced from the $400,000s, Courtyards at Hickory Flat homeowners will enjoy access to community pickleball courts, a dog park and a clubhouse.
Downtown Canton’s many restaurants and local shops are minutes away, including local favorites like Goin’ Coastal, Queenies and Local on North. Shopping destinations include B. Loved and Noni’s Attic.
The Mill on Etowah, a new mixed-use development located between downtown Canton and the Etowah River, brings an entirely new entertainment destination to Canton residents. Home to restaurants, shops, events, recreation opportunities and workspace, this development brings even more life to the growing Canton community.
Artisan Built Communities
Artisan Built Communities knows how important it is to equip homes with Smart technology as people move toward Smart living. Partnerships with Samsung and Deako Lighting allow Artisan Built to outfit homes with state-of-the-art technology and appliances for homeowners to enjoy.
In contrast with the technology found in each new Artisan Built home, the builder has focused heavily on nature in its new home communities. As an active builder in two Paulding County master-planned communities, Artisan Built homeowners have access to resort-style amenities and the best outdoor living opportunities around.
Stratford at NatureWalk
As part of the incredible Seven Hills master-planned community, Stratford at NatureWalk homeowners have access to a long list of amenities, as well as exclusive active adult-only activities.
The calming pool with a swim-up bar and clubhouse with a catering kitchen are hubs for entertainment and socialization, while the outdoor grilling veranda is an ideal spot for seasoned chefs. In addition, residents have access to a monthly calendar of clubhouse events ranging from card games to book clubs.
Residents also appreciate Stratford’s lawn care program, adding to the low-maintenance lifestyle.
In addition to the active adult-only amenities and low maintenance features, homeowners at Stratford at NatureWalk have access to all the amenities throughout NatureWalk at Seven Hills. This open-access is ideal when family and friends visit! Abundant community playgrounds, the family-friendly water park, dog park, basketball and tennis courts, and more are perfect for a family fun day. Miles of sidewalks for daily exercise accompanied by long-range mountain views complete the picturesque community.
Stratford at NatureWalk features beautifully crafted ranch-style homes. Residents have the option of three exclusive floor plans, each offering unique highlights ideal for the active adult buyer. Priced from the $300,000s, each home includes two to three bedrooms and options to add additional living space upstairs.
The Georgian
Heritage Pointe at The Georgian is the exclusive active adult section at The Georgian, Southern Paulding County’s premier golf course community. Golf lovers thrive “next door” to The Frog, the championship 18-hole golf course at The Georgian, with select homesites in Heritage Pointe located directly on the golf course. Available homes are priced from the $300,000s and feature ranch-style layouts with options for second-floor living space and up to four bedrooms.
Homeowners also appreciate resort-style activities at The Georgian’s main amenity center. Soak up the sun at the water park or hang out at the community’s clubhouse to participate in organized group activities. The community’s amenities also include playgrounds and a tennis center for residents interested in staying active. The Georgian offers activities for every homeowner!
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