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50 Best Master-Planned Communities in theU.S.

The Short List:50Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States

WELCOMEto ourninth biennial issue profiling the best master-planned communities across the country.Every other year in our July-August issue, webring our readers a comprehensive look at thebest of the best. The developments are in 16states, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, intowns beautified by beaches, mountains, dryclimates, rolling hills and other earthly assets.

We evaluated hundreds to get here. Manyattractive communities are not on this list, butwe held our criteria to established neighbor-hoods that have enough acreage to build atleast a year’s supply of homes.

The concept of master-planned communi-ties, beginning as homes built around a golfcourse, has evolved to feature more amenitiesso that residents have plenty of options forenriched and healthy living.

Many find that the combination of full orsemiretirement — plus access to exerciseequipment, walking trails and other ways tokeep fit — means the ubiquitous New Year’sresolution of healthier living becomes an easyreality. “Quite frankly, we have been moreactive physically and socially in the past fivemonths here than we were the five years inMichigan,” says Jeff Hill, who recentlymoved with his wife to Cummings Cove inHendersonville, NC.

Another trend is community gardens, asthe local food movement continues to grow.Retirees report that friendships take rootwhen digging, planting and harvesting along-side others.

Inventive home designs range from cottageto ranch to plantation-style. Some have a guestsuite feature, allowing both visitor and hosttheir privacy. Many plans have substantial frontporches, encouraging neighborly chats.

BY BRENT STOLLER WITH INTRODUCTION BY ANNETTE FULLER

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A good number also have support sys-tems, some of which are formal, such as theSupport Network at Penn National, nick-named Snap, in Fayetteville, PA. Membershelp each other with light household tasksand share expertise in technology, gardeningand more.

But even if a neighborhood doesn’t have aformal program, help still arrives courtesy of astrong sense of community. Rich Rattell, whomoved to Heritage Shores in Bridgeville, DE,told us that when a neighbor was readying forheart surgery, seven people showed up toshovel snow off his driveway.

These developments are so deeply appreci-ated that they’re even part of celebratorytoasts. Gathering together with neighbors forher first Thanksgiving dinner at Robson RanchArizona in Eloy, Charlene Rule raised her glassand proclaimed: “We left our respective

homes, only to find that our new family is here.”Where to Retire would like to make a toast,

too, honoring these 50 for their excellence inmaster-planned living. Here’s hoping you find asuperlative community that matches youressence, and nurtures and challenges you in allthe right ways.

A quick preface to this feature:Each community has a short description,including interviews with retirees who livethere. A databox provides housing prices, con-tact information and more. Note that homesales and prices fluctuate; use these numbersas a guide. We also indicate the developer —a new feature this issue. Lastly, the chart onpages 92 and 93 lists all 50, categorized bystate as well as a rundown of amenities, making comparisons easy.

Reprinted from Where to Retire. Copyright 2015. For subscription information, call 713/974-6903, or visit www.WheretoRetire.com.

> THE LURE Part of the all-ages Vistanciadevelopment, this Trilogy communityboasts four lighted tennis courts and a golfcourse that naturally navigates the desertlandscape. At the Kiva Club, residentsexercise with guidance from personal train-ers, expand their comfort zones in tai chiclasses and recline by the outdoor pool.The 3.5-mile Discovery Trail is ideal for amorning run or lunchtime picnic, while V’sTaproom serves up salads, burgers andother classics using organic ingredientsfrom local sources. > WHAT RESIDENTS SAY “This morning, Idid a 36-mile bike ride,” says Steve Strand,61, a new member of the Trilogy BicycleClub. “Tomorrow I’ll probably go out for a40-mile ride. And I love every minute of it.”

Steve retired here from Pennsylvania in2014 with wife Sarah, 62. The develop-ment’s proximity to Phoenix was among the deciding fac-tors. “Having lived in suburban Philadel-phia, it’s nice to have sports and theaterand shopping close by,” he says. The cou-ple can’t get enough of their desertlifestyle. “There’s a cafe where you can sitoutside and eat lunch and look at palmtrees, and the golf course and mountainsbehind that,” Steve gushes. “And you say,‘Wow, this is my community.’” > DEVELOPER Shea Homes> PRICES High $200,000s-$500,000s forsingle-family homes> MONTHLY HOMEOWNER FEE $274> STATUS 2,369 homes built of 3,335

planned on 1,460 acres within the 7,100-acre Vistancia development> AGE-RESTRICTED Yes> INFORMATION Trilogy at Vistancia,27980 N. Trilogy Blvd., Peoria, AZ 85383,(800) 685-6494 or TrilogyLife.com/Vistancia.

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TRILOGY AT VISTANCIAPEORIA, ARIZONA

Karen Northridge

June 4, 2015

Mr. Robert W. Williams, General ManagerTrilogy at Vistancia27980 N. Trilogy Blvd. East, Suite 101Peoria, Arzona 85383

Dear Mr. Williams:

I am pleased to inform you thatWhere to Retire magazine has named Trilogy at Vistancia as one ofthe 50 Best Master-Planned Communities in the United States. Congratulations!

During a nine-month selection process, our editors reviewed several hundred candidates across thecountry. Your community is among an elite group of developments that offer today’s retirees a well-rounded, active lifestyle.

Where to Retire applauds the positive impact that each of our 50 Best is making on the economic healthof the towns and cities in which they are located. All of the communities are leaders in providing a highquality of life to those who are embarking on new adventures in retirement.

We extend our heartiest congratulations to you, your employees and your residents, and we wishyou continued success.

Sincerely,

Karen NorthridgePublisher, Where to Retire

5851 San Felipe Street, Suite 500, Houston, TX 77057, 713-974-6903