How do you know if you'll like living in a 55+ community? Many retirement communities, especially the new ones, have travel programs where you can stay in the community to sample the lifestyle, play golf, go swimming, use the fitness center, and meet other residents. Nightly rates are usually less than nearby hotels. Some of the retirement communities have programs with nearby hotels with reduced rates if you sample their community.

The city pages include links to other sites that provide city and state information, like chambers of commerce and state employment information. These pages also give basic city information, weather data, closest metro areas and airports, population, and other facts that help make informed real estate decisions.

The resources 55+ communities offer to their residents can be numerous and varied ranging from golf to hiking clubs. The hobby facilities can also be extensive. Social clubs, card games, billiards, libraries, and computer rooms are also commonly found in age qualified communities. Some of the retirement communities also have volunteer clubs where residents can contribute their time and other resources to numerous causes in the area.

Anyone can buy a home in an active adult or age qualified community; however, one member of the household has to be 55 or better to live there. Check with the community's rules and regulations regarding renting the property to someone else who is 55+. Homes in 55+ communities also make good second homes or vacation homes, whether it's a winter or summer retreat.