Retiring in Jacksonville Communities?

Imagine a lifestyle free of yard work, where every imaginable amenity is at your finger tips. Imagine bright, vibrant and active communities where residents share common interests, contagious hospitality and friendly smiles. Forget about any preconceived notions you may have on retirement living. For those looking to spend their golden years in Northeast Florida, many area retirement communities offer a grand lifestyle that rivals any Club Med resort.

Sweetwater by Del Webb

Sweetwater by Del Webb, an "Active Adult" community (minimum age is 55) is scheduled to open in January, 2005, and is one of the few retirement areas offering true homeownership with equity houses.

Sweetwater is the first Del Webb community in Jacksonville and promises a resort-style atmosphere. The neighborhood, located in Jacksonville's fastest-growing corridor of Florida 9A and Baymeadows Road, will feature approximately 1,000 homes.

Sweetwater is sure to please with prices ranging from $200,000 to $400,000 for homes between 1,600 square feet to 2,800 square feet.

While Sweetwater is considered an "Active Adult" community (at least one resident per home must be age 55 or older), the community will not offer assisted living or nursing home care.

An established leader in active adult living, Del Webb is a member of the Pulte Homes family, a partnership that has built more than 370,000 homes.

By the end of 2005, 78 million Americans will be over the age of 55, composing of half of the country's disposable income, according to the Harris Interactive Baby Boomer 2004 survey. Additionally, those over 55 will account for 25 percent of home buyers.

With lifestyle as a key component in selecting a retirement community, and age expectancy soaring into the upper 70s, it's not surprising that people are opting to retire in style.


NBA Cypress Village


Combine incomparable style with a premiere location, and you have the 110 acres that make up NBA Cypress Village, a dynamic retirement community designed for people 55 and older.

Everything is taken care of for the residents of Cypress Village, which offers 281 single-family equity homes up to 3,000 square feet. In addition to the homes, the center includes 362 apartments that encompass an assisted- living facility, a skilled nursing center and an Alzheimer's care and research center.

According to Shepherd, there are currently 12 independent single-family homes on the market ranging in price from $165,900 to $359,000, all of which were constructed by local Jacksonville builder C.F. Knight.

With 24-hour security, wider doorway entrances and homes installed with emergency pull cords, Cypress residents feel a sense of safety.

A few amenities offered by NBA Cypress Village include a croquet court, putting green, indoor swimming pool, arts and crafts, a central dining room, nature/biking/walking/hiking trails, an on-site beauty shop, lobby banking and exercise classes.


Osprey Village at Amelia Island Plantation



Some people refer to the First Coast metropolis as Florida's best-kept secret. Most days are warm enough for a stroll on the beach, yet the area is far enough north to experience a mild change in seasons.

For retirees who want to be near the water, Osprey Village at Amelia Island Plantation may be the place they have been seeking.

The gated retirement community opened in 1996 and when completely built out will offer 94 single-family homes.

When residents buy their retirement lifestyle at Osprey Village, they are given a membership to Amelia Island Plantation, along with a golf cart. AIP boasts lush golf courses, an elegant clubhouse, exclusive restaurants and fitness center, all harmoniously blended with the sparkling ocean and natural landscape. Osprey Village arranges for internal and exterior maintenance, weekly housekeeping, scheduled transportation and more. Additionally, the community offers a 40-room assisted living center and an extended congregate-care facility for residents needing more than just a little help with day-to-day living.


Glenmoor and Vicar's Landing


Glenmoor, established in 2001, and Vicar's Landing, established in 1988, are both owned by Life Care Pastoral Services, and both offer lovely resort locations. Glenmoor lies just a few miles north of St. Augustine and is nestled within the magnificent resort of World Golf Village, while Vicar's Landing is in Ponte Vedra within the Sawgrass Marriott Resort.

The entire philosophy the 40-acre life-care community of Glenmoor has been to "develop a place where active adults of a certain 'maturity' can find a complete range of lifestyle services to accommodate their individual needs, however, those needs may change over time."

That philosophy has been deemed "life care." This means that Glenmoor offers a wide range of lifestyle opportunities in a luxurious resort setting for adults ready for a relaxed phase of life.

Glenmoor offers 133 homes and apartments, with 11 more cottages in the construction phase. Glenmoor provides a full range of on-site and long-term living arrangements with state-of-the-art facilities and skilled healthcare professionals. Vicars Landing boasts 227 independent living units and 30 nursing-care units.

From social and recreational activities to skilled healthcare professionals, Glenmoor provides a lifestyle that lets its residents do exactly as they please.

Located in the quaint seaside community of Atlantic Beach, 15 miles east of the heart of Jacksonville, is Fleet Landing, a premiere place for active adult living.


Fleet Landing



Fleet Landing, a world-class Life Care Community, staffs 280 people, blending the amenities of a first-class resort with the peaceful serenity of a private, gated community and the comforts of home.

For adults 62 and older, the not-for-profit community offers 156 single-family independent living homes built around a 7-acre lake. For those needing more assistance, Fleet Landing offers a 60-room on-site assisted-living center called Leeward Manor, as well as an 80-bed skilled nursing care. Additionally, the Health Center includes a secure, 20-bed Special Care unit for residents with Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive impairments.

Of course, activities and food are abundant at Fleet Landing. The recreation department offers wellness and fitness programs, clubs, off-property shopping trips and transportation to many community cultural events.

Additionally, Fleet Landing offers a daily shuttle service to local hospitals and medical facilities, as well as to local churches, the airport and train stations.


Westminster Woods

Another community located south of Jacksonville is Westminster Woods on Julington Creek in St. Johns County. The community recently has completed construction on duplex villa homes and is planning to build multi-story apartment homes. It offers residents several residential choices, and a carefree resort lifestyle offering several leisure and educational activities.

With over 60 golf courses in the Jacksonville area, as well as plentiful shopping, museums, shows, fine dining, entertainment and beaches, it's no wonder that Jacksonville is the place where many seniors are choosing to call home. And with so many opportunities for resort-style retirement living, it's no surprise that people are downsizing and moving up … all at the same time.


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For more information on Sweetwater, call (800) 665-4154.

For more information on NBA Cypress Village, call 1-800-228-6163.

Call Osprey Village at 1-888-683-5456 for further details.

For more information on Glenmoor, please call 1-800-471-2335. For more information on Vicars Landing, you may call 904-273-1701.

For more information about Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, call (904) 287-7300.