Venice, Florida: The Gulf City With Old World Charm
Enveloped by balmy Mexican Gulf breezes, this Southwest Florida oasis combines Mediterranean ambiance with an island getaway to Bermuda. Voted one of the top cities to retire by Forbes, Venice is a pedestrian-friendly, warm weather paradise where everything from shopping the farmers market to surfing can be enjoyed all year long. Home to more than a dozen active adult communities including Island Walk at West Village, and Plantation Golf and Country Club, Venice offers retirees and empty nesters a wide range of beautiful homes, and an all-inclusive lifestyle that snowbirds will want to stick around for.
Located in Sarasota County about an hour south of Tampa, this “City on the Gulf” stretches along miles of pristine coastline, so whether or not a home has a waterfront view, glittering waves are just minutes from just about anywhere. With 30 miles of bike trails, public tennis courts, and beautiful parks including Centennial Park, and the Venetian Waterway Park which runs along the Intracoastal Waterway, it’s no wonder the majority of Venice’s sunblock toting fitness gurus are 55 or better. Thanks to temperatures that rarely dip below 70 degrees, Golf is played 365 days a year at some of the area’s top-rated courses also featured by Golf Advisor, from the Venetian Golf and River Club to the Lake Venice Public Golf Club.
Now Taking Reservations: The Ridge at Paradise Valley Estates
If you thought life after 50 couldn’t get any better, 60+ living is about to get even sweeter. Located in Fairfield, California, The Ridge will be the newest addition to the master-planned community of Paradise Valley Estates. This unique neighborhood is designed to take active adults 60 and bolder through every phase of life, by offering an all-inclusive lifestyle from on-site healthcare, and dining, to an exciting array of social clubs, classes, and fitness amenities. Construction of this eight-acre community is expected to commence fall of this year for its 2020 grand opening, but it’s never too soon to start planning your next chapter. The Ridge is currently in the pre-selling stages, so now is the time to reserve your own Paradise Valley retreat.
The Ridge at Paradise Valley will include 70 maintenance free cottage homes, and villa apartments ranging from 1-2 bedrooms, and 2-2.5 baths. Cottage homes are a timeless style with a casual, intimate feel, making them a popular choice for buyers wanting that cozy factor, along with an efficient, spacious floor-plan, whereas for someone looking to downsize or purchase a vacation home, apartments offer the worry-free security of a multi-unit dwelling. Whichever style of abode prospective buyers choose, both will feature the latest contemporary finishes including stainless appliances, and high-quality countertops.
Make Kansas City Your Summer Destination
Nothing says summer quite like outdoor concerts, twilight walks along the water, and sweet, smoky Kansas barbecue. Nicknamed the City of Fountains for its over 200 cascading displays, life in Kansas City, or as locals call it KC, is as warm and familiar as a cup of coffee with an old friend. Home to jazz legends like Big Joe Turner, and Mary Lou Williams, an art scene that ranges from contemporary to culinary, and more than 240 diverse neighborhoods to explore, most people forget that all this urban sophistication has a deep-rooted small town heritage.
If you’re looking for the quintessential summer vacation spot, or city to call home, Kansas City is a Midwestern gem. Divided between two states, Kansas City, Kansas to the west is the low key suburban sister to the effervescent metropolis of Kansas City, Missouri. Whichever side of the river you happen to be on, be prepared for friendly people, an abundance of things to do, and if you’re looking to buy property, affordable real estate options. Voted one of the top cities to live by Livability.com, Kansas City is an exuberant blend of urban high rises, timeless culture, and a soulful rhythm that resonates throughout the entire city.
Why Boomers Are Getting On Par With Disc Golf
What has all the nuances of golf, plays without clubs, and has everyone getting in on the competition? What looks like your average game of frisbee is actually one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S and in Europe. If you’ve never heard of disc golf, you’ll be wanting to sign up for this new spin on the classic game. It might seem like a sport popularized by millennials who thought they were too cool for ball golf, but since the first disc course came to Pasadena, California in 1975, this all age sport has taken tee time to a championship level.
Disc Golf 101- Like standard golf, you have your fairway, your tee pad, and if you’re lucky you’ll score a birdie, but with disc golf, the lingo is more or less the same, but the game takes a different twist. Instead of a ball, and a hole, you have a disc, and a basket, and rather than a manicured putting green, disc golf courses can be in a park, or even a (very large) backyard. As with a typical round of golf, the object is to get the disc in the basket in the fewest number of throws, and the person with the lowest score is declared the winner. In place of a ball and club, you’ll use three discs, the driver (for the greatest speed and distance), the mid-range (recommended for beginners), and the putter for short distance shots. As an added bonus, it doesn’t take all day to play an 18 hole game!
What You’ll Love About Rhode Island’s Smartest City
At 37 miles wide, and about 48 miles long, you could easily spend a day exploring the entire state and be home in time for dinner. From the outside, it seems like Rhode Island would fit on a postage stamp, but with all of its New England allure, gorgeous beaches, and collegiate brain power, the only way to experience the bigger picture is to see it from the inside. Home to an Ivy League crowd and incredible waterfront views, the capital city of Providence boasts more history, recreation, and entertainment than most cities twice its size.
Established in 1636, Providence is one of America’s oldest cities and filled with historic buildings and landmarks from the iconic grounds of Brown University to the colonial mansions of Benefits Street. Combining intellectual aptitude with classic New England beauty, this college town has a “cool” youthful vibe that perfectly compliments its centuries-old history and the stately architecture that surrounds it. Located 45 minutes from Boston, Providence is an intimate, and inviting city who’s 20.5 square mile stature gives visitors easy access to must-see destinations like the picturesque city of Newport, and is just an hour from the most beautiful beaches on the East Coast.
Home On the Great Plains
“Home is where your heart is,” and as many would agree, the place that defines home is in America’s Heartland. Over the years, Nebraska’s capital city of Lincoln has seen an extraordinary amount of economic growth, and urban development but what folks love most about this town, is no matter how many corporate giants set up shop, it’s never strayed from being an approachable, mid-west town that tugs at the heartstrings. With its vast open skies, and rolling farmland, Lincoln tends to take a backseat to powerhouse retirement havens like California, and Florida, but what it lacks in coastal glamour, it makes up for in rich heritage, a highly educated population, and also happens to be a Forbes best cities to retire contender.
Home to the University of Nebraska — where Husker pride runs deep, and the historic State Capitol building, Lincoln is also known for an affordable real estate. According to Realtor.com, an average sales price of $220K gives retirees room in their budgets to live the good life without over-stretching their nest egg. From its state-of-the-art entertainment arenas, and medical facilities, to generations of family-run farms, people describe Lincoln as the “big little city” that knows everyone by name and still has an urban edge. Located less than an hour from Omaha, Lincoln’s robust job market, and low unemployment rate gives baby boomers a golden opportunity to launch into a variety of encore careers from entrepreneurial ventures to climbing back up the corporate ladder.
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo On the Mexican Caribbean
To really spice up your Cinco De Mayo holiday, or elevate your summer vacation plans, imagine sipping a margarita on a sunset cruise, fishing for the ultimate catch in the Riviera Maya, or snorkeling among breathtaking coral reefs. To experience paradise like never before, a luxury trip to Marina La Bonita in Cancun Mexico is a beach getaway with the volume turned up to an unforgettable level. From a variety of water-sports, and tours, to incredible food, Marina La Bonita focuses on providing a once in a lifetime experience while protecting the environment and gives guests the A-Lister treatment.
Whether it’s a romantic vacation for two or a fun-filled group trip, this exotic destination is the perfect destination for exciting aquatic adventure beneath the Cancun sun. Marina La Bonita specializes in elevating the watercraft experience with an array of options from the private yacht, and catamaran sailing tours, to exhilarating fishing charters. Tours are available anywhere from a couple of hours to a full action packed day of cruising the crystalline waters of Puerto Morelos Lagoon and stopping off at one of the Riviera’s pristine beaches including Playa Norte. Depending on which adventure you choose, lunch and libations are included in the price, along with basic sun gear. To extend your stay, overnight charter excursions feature first-class accommodations, along with the chance to explore the stunning Yucatan Peninsula.
A Taste of Old World Europe – On the New England Seacoast
If a coastal retirement is calling your name, Portsmouth New Hampshire should be on your shortlist. Said to be the 3rd oldest city in the country, this quaint colonial town is considered to be the darling of the New England seacoast steeped in maritime history and voted one of America’s top 100 walking cities. Named after the English town of Portsmouth, this storybook destination has an irresistible European aesthetic from its cobblestone streets, and 17th-century architecture, to the ethereal bells that echo from North Church. With picturesque waterfront views, a tax friendly climate, and an industrious history, this beloved vacation spot has turned many into full-time sea dwellers.
Known for its friendly atmosphere, Portsmouth is just under an hour from Boston, and a short drive from some of the most spectacular beaches on the east coast. What began as a shipbuilding, and fishing town has flourished into a city of over 21,000 where centuries of rich history shakes hands with modern day life. Bankrate.com put New Hampshire on the top of the list as one of the best retirement cities boasting no sales tax, (hello tax-free retail therapy), and it does not tax retirement income. With hidden treasures scattered throughout the city, walkability is a big part of what makes this town so appealing. A variety of walking tours including the Portsmouth Harbor Trail and plenty of brick-lined ambience turns a casual stroll into a historic journey down memory lane. From golf, and cross-country skiing to sailing the Piscataqua River, Portsmouth is an idyllic town for any style of outdoor enthusiast.
