Kick Off the Winter Season in Lorain County
In Lorain County, the twilight days of fall are reflected into the glassiness of Lake Erie – canoes docked on the shore await the arrival of outdoor lovers who love nothing more than a chilly morning spent dragging a paddle through the water. Nestled in Ohio’s lakefront region Lorain sits between Cleveland and downtown Amherst – a mid-west treasure close to beaches, dozens of parks, and boasts magical lighthouse views. Home to active lifestyle communities like K. Hovnanian’s Morningside at Martin’s Run, it’s a storybook location for baby boomers with the shores of the Great Lakes on their doorsteps, and as autumn begins to wind down, Lorain County gears up for some serious winter fun.
There’s nothing quite as cozy as being inside sipping wine on a cold winters day and Lorain County has one of the best wine trails in the country. Paper Moon Vineyards in nearby Vermillion pours award-winning wine and locally made hard cider and features live music from 6-9 every Friday and Saturday. Casual and inviting, John Christ Winery in Avon Lake is the perfect venue for any celebration with their beautiful, rustic tasting room and bar that’s open until midnight Friday and Saturdays.
Give Thanks This Year in Durham North Carolina
If the thought of waking up at 5 a.m to roast a turkey sounds more like a chore than a celebration, why not pass on the green bean casserole and pack your bags instead? If you’ve thought about getting family or friends together for a Thanksgiving getaway, Durham makes for the perfect vacation everyone will be thankful for. Home to the Neo-Gothic arches of Duke University, with a cultural convergence of folks from all over the world, a trip to Durham will be a holiday tradition you’ll be gathering for year after year.
It’s no secret that Durham is a dining mecca, and no marshmallow strewn yam recipe will hold a candle to the cornucopia of flavors you’ll uncover all over town. From the chicken and waffles you’ll remember forever, and buttery magic of hush puppies, to lining up for authentic Carolina BBQ, and marveling over artfully styled haute cuisine, this city is the stuff of foodie dreams. If you want to live it up like a local, the best food in town is served on four wheels. With dozens of temptations from gourmet grilled cheese, and global classics, to patisserie style baked goods, It’s easy to “taste” why the food truck scene has gained a cult following of devoted fans.
Go Back in Time to Mechanicsburg
Most people don’t think to put Pennsylvania on their list of retirement destinations (even though they should) and probably haven’t put a hidden gem like Mechanicsburg on that list either. With popular hotspots like Arizona and Nevada attracting everyone’s attention, it’s about time that one of Smart Asset’ stop cities for retirees moved to the head of the class. It’s a history buff’s dream, every season looks more beautiful than the next, and it looks fabulous decked out in holiday lights. Home to the award-winning master-planned neighborhood of Silver Spring and Traditions of America 55+ community, the quality of life in Mechanicsburg is one reason neighborhoods like these make themselves right at home.
Aptly named after a settlement of Conestoga Railroad mechanics, this Cumberland County borough of under 10,000 encompasses “old” Pennsylvania. Located 8-miles from Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg is a nostalgic community with shaded tree-lined sidewalks so charming one expects to see a paperboy doing his morning rounds and historic downtown buildings that when dusted in snow, resemble spiced gingerbread walls. Although the town has made some modern upgrades over the years with new housing developments, and businesses peppering the pastoral landscape, Mechanicsburg hasn’t lost the historic authenticity that makes it such a beloved landmark.
Find Out What’s New at Trilogy Orlando
If you’ve ever been to one of those all-inclusive resorts with the spa bathrooms and endless counter space, then welcome home to Trilogy’s ultra luxurious neighborhood. Celebrating the opening of its new Capri and Connect models, Trilogy Orlando has turned up the volume on one of Florida’s most upscale 55+ communities. Age is all relative around here as you find yourself so actively engaged that downtime is planning your next social event, and with a home exquisitely designed for entertaining, you’ll be in vacation mode all year long.
If you’re a Florida transplant you’ll soon discover how much house the Sunshine State offers for your money, and these homes are priced to sell. Part of the Freedom 40 collection, the 1,862 square foot Connect floor plan starts at $252,990 with ample space for entertaining. Holiday visitors and weekend guests have plenty of elbow room with 3-bedrooms, 2-baths, and a spacious 2 car garage. The beautiful 1,540 square foot Capri model part of the Villa Cortile Collection, boasts a 2-bedroom, 2-bath layout, and is also affordably priced at $224,990 with an opportunity to transform the extra space into a home office, workout studio or a cozy retreat for family and friends. Both the Capri and Connect have a timeless appeal with vast island kitchens that flow into airy great rooms, luxurious private baths, designer finishes and copious amounts of storage. The standout feature in each home is secluded outdoor living space including tranquil covered lanais, and patios that look out onto lush landscaping and blue skies.
3 Reasons to Love Wilsonville
Whether or not you’re an Oregon native, it’s impossible to not get swept away by forests so thick you can scarcely see the sun glimmering between the trees, and coastlines as wildly rugged as they are pristine – in fact, the further north you go the more stunning it gets. In all its metropolitan vastness, the greater Portland area is undeniably picturesque but the pockets of treasure that surround it are what make it so magnetic. With a population of about 21,000, Wilsonville is a suburban gem that indulges both city dwellers and small-town folks alike. Closely connected to its rural Oregon roots, Wilsonville’s proximity to just about everything is just one of the many reasons the grass here is a little bit greener.
It’s At the Center Of All
Surrounded by over a dozen neighboring towns including Beaverton, and Hillsboro, Wilsonville sits charmingly in the heart of the Tualatin Valley just 18-miles from downtown Portland, and close to all the action. Idyllic for active adults who can’t decide whether a bustling urban center or rolling farmland is their idea of settling down, Wilsonville offers the best of both worlds. Portland may have all the nightlife and cosmopolitan intrigue, but Wilsonville’s residents know that at the end of the day, an intimate community of friendly neighbors with everything at their fingertips is worth coming home to.
Kickstart Your Health Goals in Brea California
When it comes to health-minded cities, Brea is California’s premium brand athletic shoe.
Sophisticated, and outdoorsy, with green juice running through its veins, it’s no surprise that Orange County earned major kudos as Architectural Digest’s 3rd healthiest destination in the country. With sprawling hotspots like LA and San Diego California stealing the wellness spotlight, Brea’s small-town atmosphere and trendy energy is a breath of fresh air. It’s common knowledge that eating right, and exercising are the building blocks for overall wellbeing, but cities like Brea with its breathtaking canyons, sports venues, and proximity to the coast make it easy to cultivate a healthy lifestyle
The best part about living in the Brea is having nature as a backyard. Less than half an hour from the sparkling Pacific shoreline, and home to more than a dozen beautifully maintained city parks, fitness fanatics from 5-55 (or better) have fallen in love with Brea’s abundance of outdoor recreation. A place to unwind, and take a break from the city bustle, Carbon Canyon Regional Park is a serene, 131-acre refuge of uncrowded trails and hidden treasures from its Redwood Groves to lakefront fishing piers. Named one of Orange County’s safest cities by Niche.com, active adult residents can enjoy twilight strolls, bike rides, and early morning runs with greater peace of mind.
South Jordan is the Perfect Move
Locals call it “SoJo”, outdoor types call it a playground, active adults love to call it home.
According to the World Health Organization, age-friendly cities like South Jordan promote “active” aging – in other words, a thriving community designed to keep up with today’s high energy baby boomers. Located 20-minutes from Salt Lake City, this once sleepy farming town has quickly grown to become CNN Money’s #18 best place to live in the U.S. Surrounded by the Wasatch and the Oquirrh Mountains, South Jordan makes suburbia uber trendy with abundant opportunities for retirees, and an intellectual reputation backed by top-rated schools, and some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
It’s All Part of the Master Plan
There’s a good reason why 55+ neighborhoods like Springhouse Village flock to the suburbs, and the master-planned community of Daybreak is the perfect example. With various home styles including craftsman, Victorian, and the duet homes of Springhouse Village, Daybreak is not only Utah’s largest, but the only community where every home is energy star certified. The diverse yet cohesive beauty of Daybreak is a city within a city with incredible amenities including a 10,000 square foot community center for active adults, shopping centers, restaurants, and hosts live events. From empty nesters to young families, South Jordan’s reputation for affordability also means buyers are getting more square footage for their money, and a lifestyle that’s priceless.
Unlocking Charlotte’s “Spirited” Past
You have to admit the older the city the more it inspires romance, intrigue, and of course, plenty of haunted history. Despite its modern exterior, when it comes to Southern allure, Charlotte has it all. The horse-drawn carriages, the stately colonial mansions, and a royal history that dates all the way back to the 1700’s, hence the nickname “Queen City.” Founded by European settlers in 1768, Charlotte’s Old South roots run so deep, that some would say the original inhabitants are still watching over the city today. Even if the idea of things going bump in the night seems a fanciful tale, most of us can’t resist a little dark folklore
Over the years, Carolina Theatre has brought new meaning to the saying “the show must go on”, and depending on who you talk to, it seems like perhaps it has. Built in 1927, the theatre was old Hollywood glamour at its opulent finest. Palatial architecture, richly painted wall murals, luxurious brocade drapery, the theatre began as a vaudeville and silent film venue and later went on to host its fair share of talent including the likes of Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra. After the curtain fell for the final time in November of 1978, this Tryon Street landmark became the abandoned stuff of haunted legend. Currently being restored to its former glory by the Foundation for the Carolina’s, it’s hard to say whether or not the theatre’s “late” patrons will be hanging around for a second act.
