Bob Dylan famously sang, “The times, they are a-changin’,”and they sure have—according to findings by Pew Research, for the next 17 years, 10,000 Baby  Boomers will turn 65 every day. This staggering number (which includes Mr.  Dylan himself) spells good news for retirement communities. However, members of  the Woodstock generation are redefining the idea of retirement while adjusting  to a new social order.  

 “New construction, resales, home styles, price, location, gated security and  amenities are just some decisions a Baby Boomer must face when choosing to live  in an active adult community,” says David Boyd, owner of 55Plus-Housing.com and a realtor sales associate at  the West Long Branch, NJ-based Ridge Realty. “New Jersey has over 100 active adult communities just in Monmouth, Ocean and  Middlesex Counties with thousands of available homes for sale in these  communities.”  

 Different Needs, Different Models

 By definition, active adult communities are real estate developments that offer  independent, relatively maintenance-free living to residents aged 55 and over.  Thomas Wetzel, president of the Redding, Connecticut-based Retirement Living  Information Center, Inc., explains that in “age restricted” active adult communities, 80 percent of homeowners must be 55 and over, while “age-targeted” communities simply market to the 55 and over crowd.  

 Not surprisingly, Baby Boomers are changing the way in which “retirement” communities are viewed. “Many of the residents continue to work part or full time, which is why the term  active adult 'retirement' communities is less accurate. The residents are not  opposed to children or grandchildren either,” says Wetzel. “Rather, the 55-plus component simply assumes that people at the same stage of  life probably share a few leisure-time interests and pursuits.”  

 For example, an “active” community essentially means that residents are considered independent. As such,  active adult communities generally offer no assistance with daily living  activities (e.g., meals, medication, housekeeping and personal care). “They do usually present a variety of on-site activities and easy access to  natural or cultural attractions, shopping, nearby medical facilities, and large  metropolitan areas,” he says.  

 To Boyd’s point, there are countless communities in New Jersey ranging in price and  amenities offered. Wetzel says these communities are more than simply real  estate. “Residents are choosing a community and a lifestyle. Today’s active adult communities go beyond the old stereotypes of shuffleboard and  knitting, although those activities are often still on the schedule for those  who love them,” he continues. “Some communities promote a resort or vacation feeling through activities and  amenities, while others emphasize social or cultural life.”  

 Communities Defined

 When asked how retirement community regulations are set forth on a state level,  Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs at the New Jersey Department of Human  Services, Nicole Brossoie had this to say: “DHS provides aging services such as prescription assistance and community-based  health supports for seniors. We do not regulate or oversee age restricted  communities. This is a private industry issue that is best addressed by a trade  organization for developers or perhaps realtors.”  

 As is the case with all states, municipalities have different laws. New Jersey  is no exception explains Janice Pardun, a broker and sales associate for the  Monroe Township-based Levinson Associates. “All townships and states have their own rules as to age and restrictions. For  example, Monroe Township requires that the first person be 55 and second  occupant must be at least 48,” she says. “No children are allowed, except for visits.”  

 Community restrictions such as the aforementioned have deep roots. However, many  Baby Boomers are looking to create a retirement experience that doesn’t mirror their parents’ view of the “good old golden years.” TopRetirements.com is a national service assisting seniors with the  all-important choice of selecting a community that meets their particular needs  and interests. In New Jersey, the site highlights and recommends more than 25  communities from Brick Township to Toms River.  

 “Many Baby Boomers would not be happy with the limited retirement choices their  parents had —cookie cutter communities don’t appeal to all,” writes John Brady, president of jbEmarketing, which publishes  TopRetirements.com and BestAssistedLiving.com. He, along with Roberta Isleib,  authored the book Baby Boomers Guide to Selecting a Retirement Community: 16 Factors You Need to  Consider.“Not all baby boomers want to live in an age-denominated community either. They  just might prefer living with a more diverse age demographic. Living in a city  or in a Norman Rockwell small town are concepts that appeal to many baby  boomers.”  

 As the retirement market grows so does services catering to the demographic.  55Plus-Housing.com, for example, released a “55+ Community Finder” online search tool. “The 55 plus Community Finder tool features 12 specific search options to help  narrow down the list of active adult communities,” says Boyd. “For example, a visitor can quickly find all gated adult communities with a golf  course and some home prices below $400,000. Detailed information about each  community is also provided and the ability to request more information from a  local realtor.”  

 Selecting a retirement community of an ilk is a tough choice, and once that task  is accomplished residents have to adapt to new rules and regulations. “The HOA is not different from other non-restricted condos, but HOA’s in general are different,” says Pardun. “For instance, some cover all exterior and other only cover cutting of grass,  removal of snow and trash.” Wetzel concurs, adding, “HOAs in an adult community are not much different in terms of function than  those in a non-age restricted community. They set the rules for how the  community should be run with the exception of the age restriction.”  

 Developing the Future

 While RetireNet.com lists 1,125 retirement communities in the New Jersey, the  recession has dampened new construction. Nevertheless, developers under  contract often take a different approach to retirement communities, active or  otherwise, when building from scratch, or retrofitting an existing property. “Developers do not set up the rules and regulations. Some parts are done by the  municipality and others are set up by the governing body of the HOA,” says Pardun.  

 While operating within certain parameters, developers are also beginning to  offer energy-efficient quality materials and open floor plans. “Often, homes are built on land that is held in common. Residents then enjoy the  benefits of home ownership without the obligation to mow the lawn, shovel snow  or clean the pool,” says Wetzel. “Homeowners pay an additional monthly fee to cover services and amenities, such  as garbage collection, maintenance of shared spaces and facilities, security,  cable or satellite TV, and Internet connection.”  

 Aside from location (location location), many active adults or retirees are  interested in amenities. “All of the communities have activities such as pools, exercise rooms, cards  rooms, libraries and ball rooms. Clubs and trips are organized by the residents  and recreation department.” In Monroe Township, there are 11 gated adult communities, and five “older” communities have nursing offices. “For the latter, they contact providers in emergencies, take blood, give flu  shots, address minor medical problems, but it is not a full time medical  facility.”  

 Like amenities, services vary from community to community. “For example, security might entail a gate with an access card, an on-site  security officer or 24-hour surveillance. Sometimes the monthly fee includes  insurance and property taxes, but not always,” says Wetzel.  

 When it comes to pricing, the range can be significant. “You can buy an upstairs one bedroom for as little as $20,000 to a beautiful  3,000-square-foot home for over $500,000,” says Pardun. A quick search of retirement communities with available housing  produced a more median price. Equestra, in Howell Township, for example,  advertised $339,990 to $429,990 two- to four-bedroom and two- to three-bath  homes ranging from 1,453 square feet to 3,021 square feet. While size and  amenities varied, the majority of homes on the market range between $100,000  and $300,000.  

 A sticking point for many retirement communities, active or not, is restrictions  on children. For many seniors, they have raised a family and want to enjoy  peace and quiet. However, other grandparents enjoy having grandchildren visit  or the whimsical laughs of children about. This is often a hot button issue for  boards, some of which are lenient with visitation and others that are not.  

 “Not all communities do not allow children 19 and above, but the Monroe Township  Ordinance states no children under the age of 48 are allow to reside in these  communities,” says Pardun. Wetzel adds, “Sometimes a community will have a playground for grandchildren.”  

 The Baby Boomers Guide to Selecting a Retirement Community: 16 Factors You Need  to Consider poses many interesting questions. Perhaps the most important of  which is: In 20 years would you be happy doing what you are doing now?  

 “Choosing a retirement location is a basic life decision that needs to be made—ideally an active decision rather than a default. Everyone’s situation is different, but there are a number of common questions that, if  you think about them, will help lead to a decision that gives you a better than  average chance of success,” writes Brady. “The good news is that no decision is irrevocable – in retirement you have a simpler life and more time, so starting over again is  always possible. If things don’t work out as well as you’ve hoped, it probably won’t be that painful to pull up your shallow roots and begin again.”  

 To Brady’s point, Wetzel agrees adding that once the age requirement is met, there are no  other prerequisite aside from those financially based, which to Baby Boomers  spells freedom. “There are no entry fees in these communities. If you can pay for your home and  the common charges, you own it.”                   

 W.B. King is a freelance writer and a frequent contributor to The New Jersey  Cooperator.