Designing Your New England Active Adult Community in Today's Economy

  One of the most noticeable shortfalls I see at Active Adult and Independent Living Communities throughout New England is the lack of attention that is given to the designing or staging of the community. Ironically this is one of the easiest components to remedy when promoting your 55+ community. When tastefully done proper staging can really push the sale over the top.
  When deciding on changing the look of a model at your community a budget should be constructed and serious consideration should be taken to hire a professional interior designer.  The next step is to see what your competition has done.  This is invaluable as you may see designs you want to avoid and those that are truly captivating.  Two communities I recommend you to tour are Chatfield Farms in Beacon Falls, CT and Red Mill Village in Norton, MA. Both of these communities have painstakingly paid attention to every detail when staging and designing their models.  The walk-in closets are staged with a bathrobe and slippers and the second bedrooms even have baseball mitts and child pictures to help the prospect envision living at that community with a bedroom ready for their grandchildren. 
  I do realize that during these economic times operating budgets are severely constrained. However, this is a chance to make some minor adjustments in your models that can pay big dividends with your prospects. Take the bathrooms for example. Here a a few inexpensive tips to inject some life into your models.
1) Hang a large mirror instead of tile - a mirror will add depth to your bathroom design and help to spread light around. Consider covering the wall with a larger mirror which would be a less expensive alternative to tile.
2) Visit consignment shops for used light fixtures - often you'll find high quality used fixtures priced much lower than new standard fixtures.  A lot of these fixtures will add charm to a room as well as create a cozy, warm feeling as we head into the winter months.
    Take a look at the models at your community. Ask yourself if you would want to move into your model. If nothing else, take a few hours and walk through your models with a pen and paper. Jot down rooms you think would use an update. As communities are taking longer to sell out it is imperative that you revisit the  staging and interior design of your models. A stale model has difficulty selling. Lastly, staging and interior design says a lot about the builder and developers.  When I ask a buyer about the community they just visited invariably their first response is how lovely the model is......provided time and effort was put into the staging and design of that model.

Birch Bay Village - Maine's Jewel For Retirement Living

  Birch Bay Village situated in Bar Harbor, Maine is truly a breathtaking place to retire.  The natural beauty of Maine is clearly evident at this retirement community. Birch Bay Village retirement community on Maine’s scenic Mount Desert Island offers a peaceful setting, friendly neighbors and caring staff to residents age 55 and better. The 55 acre campus borders Acadia National Park and provides spectacular views of Frenchman Bay. Retirement living options include: individually owned cottages, independent rental apartments, assisted living care in Pleasant Cove, and memory loss care in Safe Harbor. When you see all that Birch Bay Village has to offer you will want to make it home.
  What makes this community unique is the fact that there are a wide variety of living options and services available for those 55 and older.  The cottages are a draw for the 55+ active adult. When visiting this community I was overcome with the beauty and tranquility of this community.  The cottages give you an unrivaled view of Frenchman Bay. The homes range in square footage from 1200 to 1900 square feet. Ample room and quality craftmanship make these perfect retirement homes for the empty nester.  Adjacent to Acadia National Park and oceanfront living make this community appropriate for residents who want to remain active and experience Maine's natural beauty up close.
   Once you become a resident at Birch Bay Village you have acess to all the services available at the Inn and priority when moving within the community.  An active social calendar at Birch Bay Village ensures all residents will find an acitivity to suit their palate. Mount Desert Island Hospital is minutes away for high quality access to healthcare.
    The staff at Birch Bay Village is extremely warm and accommodating. They take care to make sure their homeowners are satisfied and their days are replete with activities. The natural beauty of Maine is at its best at Birch Bay Village.  For those who want to experience tranquil, beautiful retirement living Birch Bay Village is a must see for active adults and retiring seniors.

See the Buzz That is Happening at WestRidge in Hudson, MA

Thorndike Development has introduced WestRidge in Hudson, MA. From the looks of the momentum this community is producing it is already a hit with the active adult homebuyers.
WestRidge is a 146-home condominium community for active adults, 55 years of age or better, in Hudson, MA, which features both attached and detached homes. The traditionally designed neighborhood is situated on more than 31 acres and features spectacular views of western hills. The property gracefully borders the Assabet River and is surrounded by an additional 73 acres of open space.
  Five different homes are available to the discerning active adult homebuyer ranging in square footage from 2015 to 2600 square feet. Westridge gives the 55+ buyer distinctive home styles, superior craftsmanship, personalized options and maintenance-free living at attractive pricing options.
 Thondike Development has shown its ability to develop Active Adult communities as Red Mill Village in Norton, MA can attest to that.  WestRidge is a community in central, MA that is building momentum and we do recommend you put this on your list of communities to visit during the Fall.

Chatfield Farms Active Adult Community in Connecticut Opens Fieldstone Club

  When it comes to selling lifestyle there is one community that stands out- Chatfield Farms. Located in Beacon Falls in southwestern Connecticut this Active Adult community for those 55+ truly embodies the beleif that buyers are buying a lifestyle first and home second.  We have found that these communities are what the 55+ buyer really wants.  For the most part they have a home but are yearning for a better or more enjoyable lifestyle amongst their peers.
  On September 13th Chatfield Farms welcomed 400 visitors to the grand opening of the Fieldstone Club. Amenties include exercise studio, massage therapy room, indoor whirlpool and coffee bar.  Among its many other amenities are banquet and club rooms, lending library, parlor with two pool tables and a card room. A fabulous outdoor patio with huge fire pit, granite bar and two barbecues adjoins a heated pool with two lap lanes, as well as tennis and bocce courts. The Fieldstone Club at Chatfield Farms is the grandest clubhouse for active adults in all of New England.

  Wyndham Homes has surely hit a homerun with this community. Your partners at Mature Living Choices and 55+ Marketing recommend when visiting Active Adult communities that you place this one on your list. The models and customization to the homes is endless. Add that to the true active adult lifestyle and you cannot miss with Chatfield Farms.

55 Plus & Mature Living Choices -Winnapaug Cottages

As the summer has officially ended with temps in the 40s this evening we turn to select communities in New England that have truly embraced the Active Adult lifestyle component. One such community is Winnapaug Cottages in Westerly, Rhode Island. After touring this community I was impressed by the construction, features ,ad staging of the models. 10 different floor plans ranging in price from the low 600Ks to low 800Ks each floor plan was unique in its own right. The range in square footage was perfect for the active adult who wants a comfortable living space to those who prefer ample room for their grandchildren.
The sales staff is top notch and one of the few who really tries to discover the needs of their prospect. The discovery process in active adult sales is the single most important part of the sales process.
The developers and planners have preserved over 134 acres around the community insuring a low density population. Plans are in place for an expansion to independent and subsequent assisted living accommodations giving new meaning to the term aging in place.
If you are looking for a shoreline community rife with all the leisure activities the active adult demographic demands than Winnapaug Cottages should surely be on your list when visiting Active Adult communities in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

55+ Retiring in Maine With Mature and Senior Living Choices

What makes Maine so unique? Besides being the only state in the US with one syllable, Maine offers unique features that make it a destination for many New England retirees. Research has found that almost 70% of the people that retire in Maine are from out of state. Many New Englanders have summered in Maine much of their life. The beautiful coastal regions and inland lakes regions make it a serene and peaceful place to retire. The majority of retirement hot spots are along the coast of Maine. Beginning in southern most York County and meandering along the coast all the way up to Bar Harbour. on April 3rd of this year Portland, Maine, a historic port city that has transformed itself into a vibrant community of posh restaurants and shops and white-collar businesses, was named the most livable city in America by Forbes.com.
Statistics have shown that by 2030 over 60% of Maine's population will be over 65. This bodes well demographically for Active Adult Communities, Independent Living, and Retirement W/Services communities. 55+ Marketing has recently published our first Maine Senior Living Choices resource guide. It enables seniors to choose different communities throughout the state. What makes our guide unique is that it focuses solely on communities that cater to the 55+ demographic. All senior service are covered including active adult, assisted living, independent living, home care, skilled nursing and hospice.
The Pine Tree State has been under served in resources that seniors in and out of the state can use to find and see the truly beautiful communities that Maine has to offer. Senior Living Choices and 55+ Marketing has filled that void.

Thanks for taking the time today to learn a little about Maine. Next post will be a snapshot of New Hamsphire.

Active Adult/Retirement Communities in New England

Traveling throughout New England I have had the chance to see a large number of active adult or retirement communities. Many of these communities are replete with amenities hardly imagined by the generation of retirees currently living. The menu of options for baby boomers is truly unprecedented! The evolution of age targeted communities is still in its infancy as early baby boomers are just now reaching that 55+ age. In the coming weeks I will showcase New England state by state and focus on the strength and areas of improvement each state can make to truly service our valuable 55+ demographic!

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