Alabama – The Legacy at Cary Creek (Auburn, AL)

Address: 1 Legacy Lane, Auburn, AL 36830 – Website: thelegacyatcarycreek.com

About the Community: The Legacy at Cary Creek is a gated 55+ community in Auburn that offers upscale single-family homes in a scenic master-planned environment . Established in 2014 and still expanding, this neighborhood will consist of 143 homes across 57 acres of rolling landscape with mature trees, ponds, and walking trails . Homes here feature main-level living with stair-free entries and modern floor plans ranging from ~1,950 to 2,630 square feet, and buyers can choose from ten customizable layouts . Current home prices typically fall in the low $400Ks up to the mid-$500Ks for larger models , reflecting the high-end finishes and spacious designs available. Construction is new (or recent), meaning residents enjoy energy-efficient builds and contemporary styles (the first homes were completed mid-2010s).

Amenities & Lifestyle: The hub of activity is the 3,500 sq. ft. clubhouse, featuring a fitness center, great room for social gatherings, a billiards area, and a catering kitchen . Outdoors, residents enjoy a resort-style pool, bocce and pickleball courts, a croquet lawn, community gardens, and an outdoor kitchen with seating areas . Picturesque walking trails weave through the community’s three ponds and creek, perfect for morning strolls . There’s even a full-time Lifestyle Director on-site organizing events, from dance parties and tailgates to fitness classes and club meet-ups . Active adults can join neighbor-led clubs or start new ones – whether it’s a book club, gardening group, or game night, The Legacy fosters an engaging social atmosphere .

Organizations & What Makes It Special: As Auburn’s first and only dedicated 55+ neighborhood, The Legacy at Cary Creek has quickly become Alabama’s premier active adult community. Its location in college-town Auburn means residents can take advantage of nearby Auburn University for lifelong learning classes and sports events . The community’s private setting, complete with gated security and included landscaping maintenance, allows retirees to enjoy a “lock-and-leave” lifestyle – ideal for traveling or splitting time with a second home. The combination of upscale amenities (like the pool and fitness center) and the friendly, small-community feel – all within minutes of shopping, dining, and medical facilities – makes The Legacy at Cary Creek stand out as Alabama’s best. Residents love the “right-sized” nature of the community (not too large, not too small), which fosters close connections. With beautiful home designs, plenty of clubs/activities, and the charm of Auburn, The Legacy at Cary Creek offers Alabama retirees the very best in active adult living.

Alaska – Chester Park Cooperative (Anchorage, AK)

Address: 2020 Muldoon Road, Anchorage, AK 99504 – Website: chesterparkcoop.com

About the Community: Chester Park Cooperative is a unique 55+ co-op community in Anchorage that provides maintenance-free, condo-style living for active seniors. Rather than traditional homeownership, residents buy into a member-owned housing cooperative, giving them an ownership stake in this well-kept community . The co-op was established in the early 2000s to offer local Alaskans an attractive downsizing option with independent living apartments (1 and 2-bedroom units typically) without the chores of single-family home upkeep. Homes are designed on one level (no stairs) and feature modern conveniences to simplify life as you age. Pricing is moderate for Alaska’s market – upper-end units can approach the mid-$300Ks depending on size and updates, though co-op pricing may vary – but the value includes many services. Monthly fees cover exterior maintenance, landscaping, snow removal (important in Alaska!), water, and a contribution to the community’s reserves, ensuring a worry-free lifestyle.

Amenities & Lifestyle: Chester Park centers around fostering a close-knit community atmosphere. There is an inviting community building where residents can gather for potlucks, game nights, holiday parties, and meetings. Amenities include a cozy lounge with a fireplace, a library for book exchanges, an exercise room for staying fit, and multipurpose space for hobby groups or movie nights. Outside, beautifully landscaped grounds feature walking paths and gardening areas – providing a peaceful setting during Alaska’s pleasant summers (and maintained even in winter). The cooperative also arranges group activities: residents might organize a morning walking club, craft circle, or even group outings to local theaters or parks. A sense of camaraderie is evident – neighbors often check on each other and form lasting friendships.

Organizations & What Makes It Special: Chester Park Cooperative is special for its innovative ownership model and secure, worry-free living in Alaska’s largest city. It offers the ideal balance for Alaskan retirees who want to remain in-state: you get a comfortable home base in Anchorage – close to medical facilities, shopping, and cultural attractions – but with freedom to travel or spend summers at a cabin without worrying about home maintenance. The cooperative’s member-run board gives residents a voice in community decisions and ensures the community remains financially stable and well-maintained. This empowerment and tight-knit neighborly spirit make Chester Park feel like a true community. Security is another plus – the community is access-controlled and units come with emergency call features for peace of mind. Notably, Chester Park was “Anchorage’s first senior co-housing cooperative,” and it has garnered praise for its friendly atmosphere and the way it embraces independent, active living (with no assisted-living services on-site, it’s purely for self-sufficient adults). For Alaskans looking to retire without leaving the Last Frontier, Chester Park Cooperative stands out as the best active adult community in the state – combining convenience, community, and the distinct pride of homeownership through a cooperative model .

Arizona – Trilogy at Vistancia (Peoria, AZ)

Address: 27980 N. Trilogy Blvd., Peoria, AZ 85383 – Website: sheahomes.com (Trilogy at Vistancia)

About the Community: Arizona is renowned for its resort-style retirement communities, and Trilogy at Vistancia exemplifies the best of the best. Located in Peoria (northwest of Phoenix), this gated 55+ golf community opened in 2004 and has grown to about 3,300 homes today . Developed by Shea Homes, Trilogy at Vistancia offers upscale single-family homes with high-end finishes and modern Southwestern architecture. Homebuyers can find a wide range of designs – from cozy 2-bedroom villas to expansive 3,000+ sq. ft. estates – all built with open-concept layouts, luxury kitchens, and energy-efficient features . Prices span from the mid-$400Ks to well over $1 million for the largest models on premium golf-view lots . The community is newer and still adding homes, ensuring state-of-the-art construction and design trends. Trilogy’s attention to detail in homebuilding (including semi-custom options and extensive upgrades) helped it earn an award-winning reputation as one of the nation’s top active adult communities .

Amenities & Lifestyle: Trilogy at Vistancia delivers a full resort lifestyle for its residents. The centerpiece is the 35,000 sq. ft. Kiva Club, a grand clubhouse that houses a cutting-edge fitness center, an aerobics/Yoga studio, an indoor lap pool, an outdoor resort pool with waterfalls, a day spa (Alvea Spa) offering massages and skincare, a ballroom for dances and events, a movie theater, art and ceramics studios, a demonstration kitchen, a computer lab, a library – you name it, Kiva Club has it . In 2016, Trilogy opened a second clubhouse, the Mita Club, adding another 17,000 sq. ft. of amenities: an additional fitness studio, another resort pool, an artisan craft studio, a culinary teaching kitchen, and even an outdoor bar & grill called The Shallow Well . Golf lovers revel in the Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia, a championship 18-hole course winding through the community that has won a Golf Digest 5-star rating . After a round of golf, residents gather at V’s Taproom restaurant for farm-to-table dining and local brews . Additional outdoor amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, bocce ball, a 3.5-mile Discovery Trail for walking and biking, parks, and even a playground for when grandkids visit .

Life at Trilogy is richly social – an on-site activities team and enthusiastic resident volunteers ensure a packed calendar of clubs, groups, and events. There are over 50 clubs and interest groups, ranging from sports (softball, cycling, hiking, tennis) to arts (painting, photography, crafts) to social games (bridge, poker, Mahjong) to special interests (wine club, travel club, car enthusiasts) . Daily fitness classes, continuing education lectures, and seasonal festivals keep everyone engaged. For example, residents might start their day with water aerobics, attend a photography club meeting in the afternoon, and then enjoy live music at the clubhouse in the evening. The community’s scale and amenities rival those of a luxury resort, so residents truly feel like they’re on a permanent vacation.

Organizations & What Makes It Special: Trilogy at Vistancia has repeatedly been named among the top places to retire in the U.S., and with good reason. What makes it Arizona’s best active adult community is the combination of its luxury resort environment and a warm, inviting culture. Despite its large size, residents often remark how friendly and welcoming the community feels – newcomers quickly find neighbors who become friends through the many shared activities. The community’s partnership with Arizona State University’s Lifelong Learning program even brought continuing education classes right into the clubhouse, demonstrating a commitment to intellectual stimulation alongside recreation . Trilogy’s location in Peoria offers tranquil desert beauty (stunning mountain views and sunsets are daily occurrences) while still being close to shopping, dining, and excellent healthcare in greater Phoenix . Safety is enhanced by gated entries and regular community patrols, giving peace of mind. Perhaps most special is the attention to detail Shea Homes put into Trilogy – from the gorgeous landscaping with water features to the upscale clubhouse décor, every aspect exudes quality. Residents here live a truly resort-style lifestyle every day, filled with purpose, wellness, and fun. For those seeking the pinnacle of 55+ living in Arizona, Trilogy at Vistancia is the shining example – a community that feels like a luxury retreat but is very much “home” for thousands of happy retirees.

Arkansas – Hot Springs Village (Hot Springs Village, AR)

Address: 895 DeSoto Blvd., Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 – Website: explorethevillage.com

About the Community: Spanning 26,000 acres in the Ouachita Mountain foothills, Hot Springs Village is not only Arkansas’s best active adult community – it’s one of the largest gated communities in the nation . Established in the early 1970s, Hot Springs Village (HSV) is an age-friendly master-planned community that, while not exclusively 55+, is overwhelmingly popular with retirees and active adults . It encompasses nearly 9,000 homes today (with about 14,000 residents) and offers a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. Home prices range widely from modest townhouses in the low $100Ks up to custom lakefront or golf course homes exceeding $1 million . The upper end homes – with prime views or on large lots – showcase why HSV is top-notch: you can find spacious three-bedroom residences with golf/mountain vistas that rival luxury resorts but at a fraction of big-city prices. The community’s development over decades means it’s very established: beautiful mature trees line the roads and neighborhoods are well integrated into the natural landscape. Many homes are custom-built, giving the Village an appealing variety of architectural styles (from traditional Southern to modern rustic). Importantly, property taxes and cost of living are low in Arkansas , so retirees find they get great value living here.

Amenities & Lifestyle: Hot Springs Village is essentially a self-contained town built around recreation and leisure. It boasts nine championship golf courses – yes, nine! – including Isabella, Cortez, and Ponce de Leon courses, making it a true golfer’s paradise . In addition, there are 11 recreational lakes spread throughout the Village, offering boating, fishing (stocked with bass, walleye, catfish, and more ), kayaking, and two lakeside beaches for swimming and picnics . The community has over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails winding through forests and along lakeshores . Multiple outdoor pools, an indoor aquatic center, tennis centers (13 tennis courts ), dedicated pickleball courts, bocce ball, and lawn bowling facilities ensure there’s always a game to join. Fitness enthusiasts make use of two well-equipped fitness centers and participate in group exercise classes ranging from water aerobics to yoga.

Socially, HSV shines with over 200 clubs and organizations . Whether your hobby is woodworking, singing in a barbershop chorus, painting, gardening, or playing bridge, you’ll find a group of like-minded neighbors here. There are choirs, theater groups, veterans’ clubs, civic organizations that do community service, and church groups representing many faiths – even its own community church and over a dozen places of worship. The Woodlands Auditorium (a performing arts center) hosts concerts, theatrical performances, and speaker series, keeping culture alive in the Village. The community’s events calendar is packed: seasonal festivals, farmers markets, golf tournaments, fishing derbies, and holiday parades are part of the lifestyle. HSV also has its own library, plus restaurants, cafes, and retail within the gates (and it’s only a short drive to historic Hot Springs for even more dining and entertainment). For healthcare, there are nearby medical clinics and an on-site ambulance service; major hospitals are 20-45 minutes away in Hot Springs or Little Rock.

Organizations & What Makes It Special: Hot Springs Village’s scale and natural beauty make it exceptional. It’s often described as a “city of active retirees” because it provides the infrastructure (its own police and fire departments, governance, and even a newspaper) alongside the leisure amenities . The community is gated with 24-hour security, which residents appreciate for safety. What truly sets HSV apart is how it blends resort living with everyday life. One moment you could be golfing with friends on a world-class course, and later that day volunteering at a Village charity or taking a lifelong learning class. Despite being large, it retains a friendly Southern hospitality – newcomers find neighbors waving and welcoming them at newcomer coffees or via the “Boomers Rock” club for new retirees. The affordability is also a draw: with Arkansas not taxing Social Security and providing retirement income deductions , plus the relatively low housing costs, residents enjoy a high quality of life on a reasonable budget. HSV caters to “active adults who want to do their own thing,” as their motto implies . You can be as busy or as relaxed as you choose – spend the morning fishing on Lake Balboa, afternoon playing pickleball, and evening dining with friends at the clubhouse. The community’s longevity means multi-generational retiree families are not uncommon (some current residents’ parents also retired here years ago). Ultimately, Hot Springs Village is the best in Arkansas because it offers a vibrant, engaged lifestyle in a gorgeous natural setting, with amenities to rival any Florida or Arizona development, but with the laid-back charm of the Ouachitas. It truly is “one of the premier retirement/relocation destinations in the South” , where every day can be as active, social, or leisurely as you desire.

California – Laguna Woods Village (Laguna Woods, CA)

Address: 24351 El Toro Road, Laguna Woods, CA 92637 – Website: lagunawoodsvillage.com

About the Community: Laguna Woods Village is California’s iconic active adult community, known originally as Leisure World Laguna Hills. This expansive 55+ community in Orange County spans approximately 3.8 square miles and contains over 12,700 homes ranging from co-ops and condominiums to single-level villas . Developed in the 1960s and 1970s, it was one of the first of its kind and remains one of the largest age-restricted communities in the U.S. Despite its age, Laguna Woods Village stays perennially popular due to continuous updates and its unbeatable location just 10 minutes from the Southern California coastline. Home prices vary widely: one-bedroom co-op units might start in the high $200Ks, while remodeled three-bedroom condos or villas with golf course views can reach into the low $1Millions . The upper-end properties – especially the spacious Gate 11 “executive” homes or the newer high-rise Towers units – offer luxury finishes, but even the more affordable units grant access to the full range of community amenities. Importantly, Laguna Woods Village is a fully self-contained town for seniors – it became an incorporated city (Laguna Woods) in 1999. This means residents benefit from city services tailored to older adults (like specialized transportation and zoning that prioritizes senior needs).

Amenities & Lifestyle: The amenities at Laguna Woods Village are almost too numerous to list. Highlights include seven clubhouses each with its own offerings – Clubhouse 4, for example, is an arts haven with craft studios for woodworking, ceramics, lapidary, sewing, painting, and even a jewelry-making lab. Clubhouse 5 and 6 have large event spaces and fitness centers. Clubhouse 1 hosts an Olympic-size swimming pool, hot tub, fitness center, and sports courts. Speaking of sports, the Village features 36 holes of golf across a championship 27-hole course and a 9-hole executive par-3 course (members enjoy very low greens fees). There’s a golf clubhouse with pro shop and café overlooking the greens. You’ll find tennis and pickleball courts, lawn bowling greens, shuffleboard, bocce, archery range, and even stables for horseback riding – yes, the community has an equestrian center where residents can board horses or take lessons. There are 5 swimming pools scattered throughout the community for convenience. For social and intellectual stimulation, Laguna Woods has a 1,000-seat Performing Arts Center (formerly Clubhouse 3 Auditorium) where theater guilds, symphony orchestras, and external acts perform regularly. A community library, computer learning center, and continuing education classes (through a partnership with local colleges) keep minds sharp. The community even operates its own TV station (Channel 6), which broadcasts community news, entertainment, and board meetings – a nod to how professionally organized it is.

Lifestyle is extremely active: over 250 clubs and organizations cover everything from Yoga to photography, from the “Baby Boomers Club” to the Garden Club that manages community garden plots. Love dancing? There are ballroom dance clubs, line dancing meetups, and frequent themed dances at the clubhouses. Into travel? The RV Club offers on-site RV parking and group caravans. Volunteers will find a place in the Kiwanis, Rotary, or various charitable clubs. There’s truly something for everyone – a saying goes, “If you’re bored in Laguna Woods, you haven’t left your house!” The community management also hosts big events: outdoor summer concerts, holiday celebrations, health fairs, and more. With so many amenities, residents can pursue existing hobbies or easily discover new ones.

Organizations & What Makes It Special: What makes Laguna Woods Village the best in California is its unmatched breadth of offerings coupled with a prime location. It’s minutes from Laguna Beach’s art festivals, close to world-class shopping (Irvine Spectrum, South Coast Plaza), yet inside the gates, it’s a private haven of activities and friendships. The community’s sheer size supports multiple clubs in the same interest – for example, there isn’t just one tennis club, there are several leagues and groups by skill level. Importantly, Laguna Woods is a guard-gated community with 24-hour patrols, adding a strong sense of safety and peace. The city of Laguna Woods itself works closely with the homeowners’ association, ensuring infrastructure and services (like a dedicated senior transportation system called “Easy Rider” buses) are top-notch for residents. Healthcare is conveniently close: top medical centers (Saddleback Hospital and others) are within a few miles, and the community operates an on-site social services department to assist residents with referrals or minor in-home needs. The social cohesion is remarkable – many residents have lived here 20+ years and stay young through engagement. Laguna Woods Village is also financially well-managed; because of its scale, monthly HOA fees are reasonable for the vast amount of amenities and include services like water, trash, basic cable, and building maintenance for many units. In essence, it offers “cruise ship living on land.” Every day, you have a buffet of activities, classes, sports, and social opportunities to choose from, all while living in sunny Southern California. The community’s long legacy (over 55 years running) means it’s tried-and-true – countless residents have enjoyed a fulfilling retirement here. For those seeking an active lifestyle on the West Coast without the million-dollar buy-in of newer developments, Laguna Woods Village remains the gold standard and truly the best 55+ community in California .

Colorado – Anthem Ranch (Broomfield, CO)

Address: 16151 Lowell Blvd, Broomfield, CO 80023 – Website: myanthemranch.com

About the Community: Anthem Ranch is a premier 55+ Del Webb community situated midway between Denver and Boulder, offering Colorado retirees a perfect blend of Rocky Mountain scenery and modern resort-style living . Built from 2006 to 2018, Anthem Ranch comprises around 1,300 single-family homes upon completion . Homes were designed by quality builders (Del Webb, later Toll Brothers and others) with Colorado’s active lifestyle in mind – think open floor plans, large windows framing mountain views, cozy fireplaces, and efficient single-level layouts. Sizes range from roughly 1,200 sq. ft. cottages to spacious models over 2,800 sq. ft. . Many homes feature two to four bedrooms, two-car garages (some with three-car options), and upscale finishes like granite counters and hardwood floors. Buyers can find resale prices from the mid-$400Ks for smaller models up to the high-$700Ks for the largest homes on premium lots (with upper-end prices sometimes topping around $800K for those backing to open space or with extensive upgrades). Anthem Ranch’s real estate appeals to those seeking newer construction (most homes are barely a decade old) in an established community – you get mature landscaping and a lived-in feel without having a very old home. The neighborhood layout includes winding streets, pocket parks, and cul-de-sacs that foster community and minimize traffic. Notably, at an elevation, many homes enjoy magnificent views of the Rocky Mountain foothills, including Longs Peak, giving Anthem Ranch a scenic charm .

Amenities & Lifestyle: The centerpiece of Anthem Ranch is the private Aspen Lodge Recreation Center, a 32,000 sq. ft. clubhouse exclusively for residents’ use . Stepping inside Aspen Lodge feels like entering a mountain resort: there’s a grand fireside lounge for socializing, a state-of-the-art fitness center with an indoor walking track, an aerobics/dance studio with classes from Zumba to stretch, and an indoor lap pool + hot tub for year-round swimming . The Lodge also houses hobby and craft studios (residents enjoy ceramics kilns, sewing rooms, and art studios), a card and billiards room, a library, and a grand ballroom where community dinners, dances, and parties are held . Outside the Lodge, Anthem Ranch continues to impress: there’s a resort-style outdoor pool with a spa, plenty of patio seating, and views of the adjacent lake. Sports courts abound – tennis courts, pickleball, bocce, shuffleboard, and even a basketball half-court for pick-up games . One unique feature is the community’s integration with nature: Anthem Ranch boasts 48 miles of trails that connect through the community and into the larger Broomfield trail system . These trails wind past small lakes, through grassy meadows, and link to a 90-acre public park with a fishing lake and picnic pavilion right next door . It’s an outdoor lover’s paradise – residents frequently hike, bike, and even cross-country ski on these trails in winter.

The lifestyle at Anthem Ranch is both active and very social. With an on-site Lifestyle Director, there are constantly events and outings planned – from day trips to the Rockies or Denver museums, to onsite concerts in the park during summer. Over 50 clubs meet regularly, covering a wide range: there are fitness groups (yoga, water aerobics, even a skiing club that hits nearby slopes), sports clubs (golf group, pickleball club, bowling team), hobby clubs (gardening, quilting, model railroading – yes, there’s a model train room in the clubhouse!), and intellectual clubs (book discussion groups, investment club, current events roundtables) . Many residents also organize volunteer groups that work with local charities or schools, so there’s a strong sense of community contribution. Anthem Ranch’s residents love to have fun – expect holiday parties, wine-tasting nights, chili cook-offs, and monthly “Friday at Five” socials. Given the community’s Colorado location, there’s also a focus on healthy living: walking groups and outdoor fitness meetups are common, and the fitness center stays busy.

Organizations & What Makes It Special: Anthem Ranch’s special sauce is its combination of a close-knit community feel with top-tier amenities in a breathtaking setting. It was voted one of the top 50 master-planned communities in the U.S. shortly after its opening, and it remains Colorado’s flagship 55+ community. Residents often comment how quickly they made friends – the community’s size (not too small, not a mega-community) and well-organized activities help newcomers integrate easily. The setting truly sets it apart: from the clubhouse’s patio or many residents’ back decks, you can watch the sun set over the mountains – a daily reminder of why they retired here. Despite feeling tucked away in nature, Anthem Ranch’s location in Broomfield means shopping, dining, and healthcare are all within a 5-15 minute drive. FlatIron Crossing Mall, multiple grocery stores, and medical centers (including UCHealth and Kaiser facilities) are conveniently close. The community is also just 4 miles off I-25, making it easy to go into Denver for cultural events or up to Boulder for a day trip. For travel, Denver International Airport is only about 30 minutes away – important for those who plan to jet off to see family. Residents in this community are notably active in governance too; they have a homeowners association and committees that keep Anthem Ranch running smoothly and beautifully maintained (which it is – landscaping and common areas are immaculate). In essence, Anthem Ranch offers Colorado retirees everything they could want: an abundance of recreation, a welcoming network of friends, and a beautiful home in a safe, well-kept community . It encapsulates the Colorado lifestyle – fitness, nature, and friendly faces – earning its title as the best active adult community in the Centennial State.