By Kris Saddoris, Vice President of Multifamily Development, Hubbell Realty Company
As the housing market continues its competitive streak and for-sale, single-family homes fly off the shelf, it’s worth noting a new type of housing is making a large splash in the West Des Moines marketplace: 55+ active adult communities.
Aventura at Greenway Crossing is not easily missed while driving down University Avenue – an expansive, welcoming community, surrounded by bike trails, restaurants and boutiques. What makes Aventura unique is that it is one of the first 55-plus communities in the area, meaning only adults 55-years-and-better live in the community.
According to BusinessWire, the increasing number of retirements, growing life expectancy and rising investments of baby boomers ages 55-64 is causing the shift to this maintenance-free lifestyle. “The growing interest of older adults below 65 years of age in a maintenance-free lifestyle, structured activities, socialization, and a sense of community are the major factors driving the market. In addition, retirement not being in the eligibility criteria, and the variety of optional care and support services available at these facilities are the factors boosting the market growth.”
Inside and outside, Aventura truly does embody a maintenance-free lifestyle with on-site active amenities available with a for-sale condominium. With a fitness center, library, gazebo and private patios or balconies for the summer months and a golf simulator, workshop, arts and crafts room and game room for the winter, each season was thoughtfully covered to keep the entertainment options open. Of course, like many apartment communities and personal homes, pets are family at Aventura and even have their own grooming and washing station. All these amenities make 55-plus communities like Aventura a popular lock-and-leave lifestyle, as coined by active adult community experts.
“We meet every Friday night, and everybody brings a dish to share and it’s the beginning of what the community will offer. I still find that we like the location to walk to restaurants, and even though we’re in the suburbs, this little stretch here on University is like its own little city,” said Lori K., a current resident at Aventura.
Outside of the home, Aventura connects to West Des Moines bike trails, restaurants and shopping in the popular Hawthorne Plaza, just one block away. Jordan Creek, West Glen, and Des Moines Golf and Country Club are also less than one mile away. For bike enthusiasts and those extremely active adults, the nearby Greenbelt and Warrior trails connect to the east to downtown Des Moines entertainment options and to the west past Waukee into charming small bike-friendly towns.
As Hubbell Realty conducted active adult community market studies across the nation, it became clear that Iowa’s growing 55-plus population was in search of a home in between the large, maintenance-heavy single-family home and a retirement or assisted living center. According to seniorliving.org, more than 1.1 million Iowans are 50 and older, or 36 percent of the state’s residents.
In addition to the amenities, which are the center focus for Aventura, the 11 floorplan for-sale options range from 1,200 up to 1,800 square feet with open-concept kitchens and living spaces. With the entire home on one-story and elevator access outside, it also makes accessibility that much easier. Finally, with a family focus kept close to heart, a guest suite is also available to reserve for visiting family members or friends.
Aventura is hosting a community celebration this weekend only, including free public tours, on Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 from 12-5PM. Visit livingaventura.com/celebrate/ to RSVP. If this weekend doesn’t work, visit livingaventura.com or call 515.758.7455 to schedule a personal tour with a sales professional.