Category: Active adult communities
January 8, 2025 - The votes are in for Topretirements' 25 most popular active communities for 2025. Not surprisingly, Florida and North Carolina had the most winners at 5 each. South Carolina and Virginia were hot too, garnering 3 spots each. Connecticut had 2 winners. Pine Village in Flagstaff, AZ was the only community in the west to make the top 25.
All of the 25 were active adult communities, and most were designated 55+ (although the owners in all are predominately over 55) . Two were mostly specialized: Indian River Colony Club (retired military) and Carefree Cove (LGBT). In what appears to be a trend, very few of the communities offered golf as an amenity.
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Published on January 7, 2025
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Category: Active adult communities
January 10, 2025 -- In a sign of what is to come from Florida's strict new condo laws, an entire condo building in Fort Lauderdale is for sale. The condo owners can’t afford the millions it will cost to repair it.
Damage from saltwater to the building's foundation is only part of the problem faced by the condo owners. Residents at Springbrook Gardens in Fort Lauderdale were forced to evacuate last September after an engineer warned of an unsafe foundation. The roof also needs expensive work, and there have already been many special assessments. According to one owner, the condo is spending $1 million in engineer studies and to get the building up to code. Foundation restoration work is estimated to cost over $4 million. There are only 18 units in the 70 year old building, so even though there might be some loan assistance, the cost per unit would work out to be about $222,000, a pretty large number.
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Published on January 8, 2025
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Category: Estate Planning
January 14, 2025 - Green Burials are growing trend among very environmentally conscious people. The numbers are pretty small, but they are catching on. The idea is that your body is disposed of in a way that is friendly to the planet: no preservatives used in embalming, non-biodegradable materials, or burial methods that harm the environment.
The Veterans Administration is now making a green burial an option at certain of their cemeteries. In November 2024, VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) officially opened Green Burial sections at the Pikes Peak National Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix, Arizona, and Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. The number of green burial sites at each cemetery are 152, 155 and 222, respectively.
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Published on January 13, 2025
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Category: International Retirement
January 16, 205 -- One of the best choices for an expatriate retirement lies in a Central America. This country is warm year round, but has mountains to offer relief from the heat. There are fabulous beaches, national parks, small coastal towns, and at least one city with many attractions. The economy is stable, and so is the government. Plus the cost of living is probably less than where you live now. Note: for even more information, see our "Mini-Retirement Guide to Costa Rica".
The Switzerland of South America" - Costa Rica!
f you're considering where to spend your golden years, Costa Rica, with its "Pura Vida" lifestyle, might just be the perfect spot. This beautiful country with coastlines on the Atlantic and Pacific has stunning natural beauty, welcoming culture, and an excellent quality of life. This Central American gem has become a favorite for retirees from around the globe. Here are some reasons why Costa Rica is an outstanding retirement destination.
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Published on January 15, 2025
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Category: Travel
January 21, 2025 — A fortunate few well off and/or adventurous travelers might feel like there is nowhere else to go. Also, the places they enjoyed so much in the past, are now over run by cruise ships and package tours. Well if that is you, the NY Times list…
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Published on January 20, 2025
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Category: Retirement Planning
Jan. 26, 2025 - This year more Americans will reach their 65th birthday than in any year in history - 4.2 million of them. Currently, about 10,000 individuals reach this age daily, a rate that is projected to continue through 2027, when the baby boom bulge slides into older age brackets. If you are having your birthday, or if you are getting close, here are 7 things you need to do now to secure your retirement.
1. Register for Medicare for health care coverageMedicare is a Health Insurance Program for people age 65 or older, some disabled
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Published on January 25, 2025
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