Retirees options in Chicago area growing

Choices growing for active adults
Retirees options in Chicago area growing
By Jim Edwards
SPECIAL TO SUBURBAN CHICAGO NEWSPAPERS

While some older adult buyers gravitate to retirement communities almost the size of Vermont, others choose to live in smaller conclaves.
In the past, empty-nesters, recent retirees and other non-dependent seniors looking for a new home were faced with only a handful of choices in the Chicago area. Many moved to massive golf course developments in sunny states in the South, but soon missed their old homesteads.
Today, the age-55-plus crowd has many more choices in the Chicago suburbs. Many active adults are opting to live locally in smaller-scale communities which offer a healthy choice of recreational activities and pampering amenities, as well as a variety of designs from detached ranches to duplexes.
Several key factors are responsible for the trend toward smaller active-adult developments, according to William E. Becker, president and managing director for the William E. Becker Organization, a Teaneck, N. J.-based strategic marketing planning and consulting firm that specializes in active-adult lifestyle communities.
"Big parcels of zoned land on which builders can develop an active- adult community are more scarce and expensive unless they're further away from large metro areas. But Baby Boomers don't want to travel as far as they used to," Becker said.
Becker also believes that this trend toward smaller-scale active-adult communities will be a long-term trend for at least 30 years.
"By the year 2020, there will be 77 million Boomers, many of whom will be clamoring for this type product," Becker said.
Leslie Marks, executive director of the Seniors Housing Council of North America Home Builders Association (NAHB) of Washington, D.C., affirms this trend toward living locally.
"Surveys and statistics show that today's seniors and active adults prefer to remain closely rooted to family, friends, neighbors, doctors and churches in the areas they're familiar with. They value an intimate relationship with the community they call home."
Here are a few from among the many small-scale 55-plus communities to be found in the Chicago suburbs.
North, West and South
Burnside Homes is the developer of a new active-adult community concept called "Traditions." Recently launched in Olympia Fields and Waukegan, Traditions properties feature a wide variety of multifamily and single-family residences. "The Traditions concept is different from other active-adult developments in its scope, locations, designs and prices," said George Arguilla, III, president of Burnside Homes. Each Traditions community is maintenance-free and generally offers between 75 to 200 homes. Most communities provide up to 19 designs over three product lines: single- family ranch homes, duplex homes, and quad homes. Burnside Homes recently opened sales at Traditions at Glen Flora, a community of 98 maintenance-free attached ranch homes in Waukegan. Located at Blanchard and Sheridan roads in Waukegan, Traditions at Glen Flora in a 27-acre wooded property adjacent to the renowned Glen Flora Country Club and a forest preserve. Burnside's first active-adult property — Traditions of Olympia Fields — began sales earlier this summer.
Glen Flora buyers can choose from two different series of homes. The Club Home Series of duplex residences in three designs that include two to three bedrooms, two baths, and two-car garages. These homes range in size from 1,609 to 1,861 square feet and are base-priced from $259,900 to $276,900. The Carriage Series quad homes are available in eight designs that feature one to two bedrooms plus den (per plan), two baths, and two-car garages, range in size from 1,414 to 2,047 square feet and are base-priced from $229,900 to $300,900.
Burnside Homes plans to open its third active- adult community, Traditions of Fitchie Creek in Elgin, in early 2005.
In the Heartland'
Haverford Place is Ryland Homes first venture into an active adult lifestyle in the Chicago area. Located in Hoffman Estates, Haverford Place, a community of 172 ranch homes features lush landscaping and pocket parks throughout the neighborhood.
"Many of our homes have a generous leisure porch at the front of the home and each home includes a beautiful deck," said Karen Gold, sales counselor for Ryland Homes.
Haverford Place also offers a beautiful clubhouse with fitness center, pool and tennis courts. One of the special amenities in the clubhouse is a full granite kitchen for community parties, and the personal entertainment needs of the residents.
There are 10 home plans from which to choose. The smallest of the ranch homes is the Alexander, which features a covered entry, oversize living and dining room, second bedroom, study with double-door entry, conversational kitchen and family room, and owners' retreat. An available third bedroom replaces the study. The homes has 1,878 square feet and is base priced in Phase I at $347,990.
Another 2,202-square-foot design offers a leisure porch, oversize breakfast area, breakfast bar in addition to kitchen island, formal entertaining area with open living/dining room, walk-in closet even in the second bedroom, extra storage closet and owner retreat. A study can replace the living room. This home is offered during Phase I, base-priced at $386,000. Included features found in the homes are sodded and landscaped yards, brick exterior, 9-foot ceilings on first floor, and air conditioning with 90-percent high-efficiency furnace valued at $61,200.
Not being alone
For most of the last century, older American were stereotyped as being ready for disengagement from life upon retirement. Today, this theory has been trashed. People aged 55 and older are healthier and more active.
They are not giving up work, are engaged in often-strenuous recreation and are not willing to give up being close to lifelong friends and relatives.
Dena Amoruso writing for Realty Times, noted, "In active adult atmospheres, successful aging just plain gets easier for many older men and women. All in one place, residents can find new friends, partially replace paid employment with useful activities, regularly exercise without having to join and pay for a health club, and enjoy leisure as never before."