What to know about this topic:
- What you'll find in BC adult lifestyle communities
- A brief look at investment costs for active lifestyle
- Moving to British Columbia from out of the province
- More about 55 plus lifestyle from around our site
Active lifestyle communities are found throughout British Columbia, typically master-planned to offer the very best in carefree, emptied-nest living for those 50 and older. Communities in BC range from gated communities in Vancouver and area to seaside communities along the coast and on Vancouver Island. Ownership options range from outright ownership to various leasing arrangements. Start your retirement lifestyle now!
What you'll find in BC adult lifestyle communities
Active adult living is one of the fastest growing areas of housing for those 50 and older because it offers freedom and options that appeal to today's 50 and older crowd. Many people who travel regularly and don't want to be tied down by the typical obligations of home ownership love the life in active lifestyle communities. A typical feature of active lifestyle communities is 24-hour security, and many of these are gated communities, for added security. You may also have your grass cut, your driveway cleared and a variety of other mundane chores taken off your plate here.
Those are nice features, but the real appeal of these communities is the many fun things you can do onsite. Homes are often designed around summer living outdoors and getting the most out of each and every day. Onsite golf courses are often the norm and you are also likely to find shuffleboard, squash courts and many other such amenities onsite. Other typical onsite amenities are as follows
- Recreation centres
- Gyms and fitness classes
- Spas and personal wellness features
- Casinos and gambling activities
- Lawn bowling, shuffleboard, tennis courts
- Swimming pools and hot tubs
- Hiking and biking trails
- Other sports facilities
This is just a sampling of what you might find. Some communities have as many as 50 different onsite clubs, organizations and weekly or monthly activities, in a community that may be as large as a thousand residents or more. The upshot of this is that it allows you to pick and choose what you want to learn about, where you want to get involved, and who you want to spend your time with.
All of this works together to create a community of people all around the same age and with many of the same interests. You'll form new friendships and explore new interests or fulfill old ones that you never had enough time for when you were raising a family or busy working. Many people here find themselves living a fuller life than they ever have before. You'll have everything you need to enjoy your life to its absolute fullest. Live the next stage of your life in a relaxed and optimally enjoyable environment.
In many areas, age restrictions are not legally tenable, but in British Columbia, the Strata Property Act was amended in 2009, to allow for age-restricted communities. It is legally acceptable for corporations to create an "over 55 community" and enforce age restrictions. You can learn more at bclaws.ca. BC is home to the first "age specific form of housing" in Canada, which has served as a template for other Canadian communities.
A brief look at investment costs for active lifestyle
Your investment need not be exorbitant, and many BC active lifestyle communities have pricing packages starting at under 300 thousand dollars. Quite often, these communities offer people unique ways of buying in or investing that precludes outright ownership as you would expect in a regular suburb. Land lease options are common, where community members officially lease the land they live on, while owning their house. This arrangement means that you may pay monthly fees while also foregoing property taxes and other responsibilities. You can get a broader overview of leasing and ownership costs associated with active lifestyle, as well as variations of ownership commitments you can make.
Tools to help you choose
Moving to British Columbia from out of the province
British Columbia is an ideal place for active adults. Canada’s westernmost province has numerous breathtaking mountains, parks, and bodies of water to explore. B.C. is world-renowned for its hiking. However, if you are not interested in exploring the province’s nature, you might also enjoy its bustling cities. Victoria and Vancouver are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Canada.
BC's ideal climate, its spectacular scenery and its many other attractions make it a destination for people from across the country and the United States. Many people move here for health reasons – the fresh sea air and temperate climate work wonders on many health problems. Others come here because they believe that it really is "the best place on earth."
More about 55 plus lifestyle from around our site
Comfort Life has published a wealth of information. Before you move into an active lifestyle community, there are many questions you need to consider. These communities have many special considerations such as Home Owner's Organizations, builders' funds, membership expectations, fees and more. Find a list of questions to consider, questions about new communities and other tips. These communities are open to singles and couples.
Find BC's best places to retire! 
Does active living sound idyllic? Many residents say it really is! The lifestyle creates a community of people with similar background and interests. As one community member says, "There are different personalities, to be sure... But the way I look at it, that makes it kind of like a big family. You learn who you like to mix with."
Brenda is a resident of a coastal active lifestyle community. She says, "When we moved here we didn't know a soul but since then we've made some great friends."
