Older adults can try out retirement while on vacation

2012-03-29 00:38:57

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By Helen Anders / Cox Newspapers

GEORGETOWN, Texas -- Ever wonder what it might be like to live in one of those Del Webb planned communities like Sun City Georgetown that are exclusively for people older than 50?

No? Then this isn't a story for you.

But for some of you of a certain age, a two-day vacation at a Del Webb community can be simultaneously a cheap trip and a way to see if that way of life -- golf carts, a lot of activities and thousands of people your own age -- is what you'd enjoy in retirement.

Del Webb is known for building the country's first planned retirement community, west of Phoenix, Ariz., in 1960. Now there are more than 50 of these in 20 states. They're aimed at active lifestyles, and provide all sorts of activities, lifelong learning opportunites and strong neighborhood networks.

At most Del Webb properties throughout the nation, you can stay in an upscale home for rates starting about $160 for two nights.

Don't try for Florida unless you're interested in Ocala; the rest of that state's communities have opted out of the vacation deal. But there are Del Webb communities near, for example, Denver; Phoenix; and Albuquerque, N.M. that could be good bases for tourism.

That said, the Del Webb folks say most people who vacation at their properties are primarily interested in hanging out at the properties themselves.

"We are about the lifestyle. This is a great way to test-drive the community," says Courtney Bax, sales associate for Sun City Texas. "We stay booked all the time."

No word on how many of these test-drives turn into sales, but apparently they work out well enough for the communities to keep offering the deals.


First Published May 5, 2010 12:00 am
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