Retiring in California Wine Country for Active Adults

Napa is over-rated.

That’s right, I said it, and I’m prepared to back it up.

Not that I don’t love Napa, don’t get me wrong – there are some great wines coming out of Napa Valley, and it’s pretty, and I love visiting there as much as anyone. When we lived in San Francisco, the first thing we did when we bought our new car was cruise up the coast to Napa. The wine train is awesome. That does not mean I have to retire there to prove my affinity for fine wines.

Yet, why is it that as we get older everyone I know who claims to be a wine lover waxes poetic about retiring to Napa to live among the wineries? Take a look around California for a moment. If you’re paying attention, you quickly realize that Napa is not the sum total of the wine industry in California. There are some great wines and beautiful wine countries for retirees to consider in California.

Remember those ads for some of the Napa wines that went on and on about the cool damp mornings and the hot dry afternoons? Hard to maintain my active adult lifestyle if the foggy mornings make my knees hurt, huh?

Consider this; how cool would it be to retire in a landscape defined by rolling hills, native grasses, oak trees and fruit orchards, that is also the ancestral home of California wine making?

About an hour outside San Francisco, up the river delta and along Highway 4 you end up in the Antioch, Brentwood, Mt. Diablo area. It’s an area still known throughout the Bay Area for agricultural products like cherries, corn and peaches. But up until prohibition, it was an area known for grapes. In fact The Mount Diablo region was the dominant grape growing region in the late 1800’s.

When, January 16, 1920, the Eighteenth Amendment was ratified, the era of Prohibition began. Within a few years, most of the vineyards were plowed under and replaced with orchards of walnuts and almonds. What survives today is an enclave of family owned vineyards and wineries with names like Tamayo, and Hannah Nicole Vineyards. To retire among these wineries is to retire in the roots of California winemaking.

Of course, at this point you might start to analyze your idyllic retirement dream and suddenly realize that, as a 55+ active adult retiree, you love wine but maybe you don’t want to live way out in the sticks surrounded by grapes and nowhere to shop and dine.

Relax, the region is fully modernized. Don’t tell anyone, but the water tower in Brentwood is where they hide the cell phone transmitters. It’s still the bay area, after all. Brentwood in particular is a great choice for wine loving active adults to consider for retirement. The idyllic wine country locale is within easy reach of Walnut Creek, where you’ll find Broadway Plaza – one of the best known shopping destinations in the Bay Area. Surrounding the mall is an amazing array of small high quality restaurants, many of which feature the local wines. There’s access to BART in Walnut Creek, as well as Pittsburg/Bay Point (which is a little closer than Walnut Creek), so really, retiring in Brentwood gives you access to the entire Bay Area Region.

If health care is a concern for you as you get older (as it is for everyone, really) you’ll be glad to know that Kaiser Permanente has several facilities around Brentwood, so you’re never far away from high quality medical care.

Then the question becomes, “okay, so where’s a nice place to live in Brentwood?”

Active Adult New Homes

Well, if you’re looking at your retirement as “Life’s next big adventure” then you should take a look at Trilogy at the Vineyards. Trilogy is a master planned community that’s specifically designed around active adult retirees. Now in particular is a great time to talk to the folks at Trilogy because the depressed housing market has created an opportunity to buy into a very well appointed retirement at a discount price. Amenities include architecture by award- winning Bassenian Lagoni Architects, a library, gourmet studio and a fully equipped fitness center. If you’re serious about your wine lover dream retirement, you should really check them out before the economic recovery drives the prices back up.

Active Adult Living in Washington State

Situated between the dramatic Cascade Mountains and sparkling waters of Puget Sound, Redmond is probably best known as the home of Microsoft, and Nintendo of America. Thanks to the global success of these companies, and the associated large population of highly paid tech workers, the area has gained a reputation for affluence.

But what makes Redmond a great place for active adults to retire is that it abounds with natural beauty. It’s a city that boasts 34 parks totaling over a thousand acres with over 25 miles of trails; all within 20 minutes of downtown Seattle and only a short ride away from some great skiing.

Realizing full well that “active adults” includes a variety of activity levels, it’s an area that just about everyone can enjoy. There are trails for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding, and many of the parks are “neighborhood parks” with benches and picnic tables, sports fields or courts. Marymoor Park in particular is one of the most popular in King County. It features a climbing rock, a big off-leash dog park, a model airplane field, an outdoor theater, and Washington’s only velodrome.

Cycling enthusiasts will probably be also interested to know that Redmond is "the Bicycle Capital of the Northwest". In addition to the velodrome, there’s the annual Derby Days bike race that takes place on the city streets, and is the oldest bike race in America. July of 2010 will see the 70^th anniversary of this event.

Along with the race, Derby days is a great example of this small town's community spirit. There are booths and attractions from most local businesses, and the events are designed to raise funds for local schools and holiday decorations downtown. During the rest of the year, the historic downtown, adjacent to modern downtown Redmond, offers a robust small businesses community and some great shopping in a relaxing environment. There’s live theatre, music, film and literary arts for every taste, along with an abundance of first-class restaurants to explore.

Active Adult New Homes

If finally owning your own business is part of your retirement plan, you should know that the City of Redmond does not have a Business & Occupation tax on income. Rather, a business license fee of $85 per employee helps offset the costs of road improvements for businesses. For those concerned that the regional economy is driven entirely by the big tech firms, it should also be noted that by some accounts Redmond's economy, as well as Puget Sound’s, continued to expand even when general technology slowed.

Of course, the strength of the local economy did not make the area immune to recent upheavals in the national economy. In an odd way, the housing crash has presented an opportunity for retirees looking at this area. Falling new home prices have actually created a phenomenal buying opportunity at places like Redmond Ridge.

Canadians Flocking to Active Adult Golf Communities in Phoenix, AZ

Looking for Relief From the Cold Weather?

Look no further! Encanterra, an Active Adult Golf Community in Phoenix is attracting Active Adults from all over.

In fact, according to John Korobanik from the Edmonton Journal, Canadian residents are flocking to Phoenix and its surrounding areas to take advantage of the warmer weather and escaping Alberta's long, cold winters. Many of those are actually buying new homes. Approximately 60 percent of the 140 homes already sold in Encanterra, one of the newest golf-resort housing developments in the Phoenix area, have been bought by Western Canadians from Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Encanterra is a 745-acre gated residential community in the Queen Creek area, about an hour's drive from the Phoenix airport. Here you will find new homes, an 18-hole Tom Lehman signature-designed championship course, and La Casa, the 60,000-square-foot clubhouse. Architecturally, Encanterra is a combination of Old World charm and New World design and technology.

The Active Adult Community spends a great deal of time and energy promoting residents’ health and wellness.

200 to 300 luxury homes will be built per year for a total of about 2,400 by 2016. The 1,437-to-3,764-square-foot homes are built on the cutting edge of energy efficiency and feature a variety of green and cost-friendly amenities.

Each house comes with solar panels integrated into the tiles for an esthetically pleasing look while producing three kilowatts of power, about a third of the house's typical energy needs – providing big savings in utilities and tax rebates.

Active Adult New Homes range from $204,000 to $254,000.

Active Adults Love a New Golf Course

Active Adult Living

If you haven’t already noticed, Trilogy Golf Club at Mountain House is currently under construction just outside Tracy, California. It will be the latest addition to the Trilogy portfolio of daily fee courses by designers Fred Couples and Gene Bates.

Numerous water features and lush exterior landscaping are a major part of the design strategy (a signature of many Fred Couples’ designs). Rolling terrain will be surrounded by lakes on 14 of the 18 holes – requiring a great deal of accuracy off the tee! And, if the wind blows (as it sometimes does in this area) anticipate quite a test of skill…

Active Adult Lifestyle

Trilogy Golf Club at Mountain House will complement other Shea Homes Resort & Golf facilities in the area – Trilogy Golf Club at Rio Vista in Rio Vista, and the 27-hole Brentwood Golf Club in Brentwood, California.

Trilogy Golf Club at Mountain House, set against the rolling foothills of the East Bay area, is anticipated to open in late 2010.

Who doesn’t love a new, challenging course?

Active Adult Communities

Metabolic Syndrome in Active Adults

Active Adult Living

Over the past few decades there has been an increase in a condition called metabolic syndrome, which is considered to be a pre-cursor to non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).

Nearly half of adults forty and over have a disturbance in blood sugar metabolism, putting them at increased risk for developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. What is even scarier is that beyond diet and exercise, the traditional medical world currently has very little to offer to help battle this manifestation.

According to the American Heart Association, you are considered to have metabolic syndrome if you exhibit three of the following: hypertension, elevated fasting glucose, a large waist circumference, low HDL, and/or elevated triglycerides. It is very possible that you have this condition and no one has ever mentioned it to you. It is usually first detected with an elevated fasting blood sugar result on your yearly lab-work. A fasting glucose above 100 but below 121 signifies that you probably have metabolic syndrome. Levels over 121 are diagnostic for having diabetes. See below for more details on the diagnostic criteria for Metabolic Syndrome.

Active Adult Lifestyle

Diagnostic Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome

Having three of the following is considered Metabolic Syndrome.

• Blood Pressure: Equal to or higher than 130/85 mmhg
• Fasting Blood Sugar: (Glucose) equal to or higher than 100 mg/dl
• Large Waist Circumference: (Distance around the waist) of 40 inches or more for men, and 35 inches or more for women
• Low HDL Cholesterol: Under 40 mg/dl for men, and under 50 mg/dl for women
• Triglycerides: Equal to or higher than 150 mg/dl

Metabolic syndrome, like diabetes (NIDDM, formerly type II or adult-onset), occurs as cells begin to become insulin resistant. This resistance can increase with age, due to lack of exercise, excess sugar consumption, and especially for those with a genetic predisposition.

Luckily, in addition to proper nutrition and exercise, nature can be helpful in effectively balancing blood sugar and lowering risks. Nature can help one decrease blood sugar levels, as well as lose weight.

Nutrients including chromium and vanadium can help make insulin receptors more sensitive.

Herbs including Gymnema, Fenugreek, and bitter melon have been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels as well. In addition, one of the most effective herbs is cinnamon.

Prior to taking nutrients and herbs, discuss with your primary care, integrative, or naturopathic physician.

For a more in-depth article on Metabolic Syndrome view Amy Whittington, NMD’s article in Trilogy Life Magazine.

Active Adult Communities

Baby Boomers Consider Sharing Expertise Through Volunteering

Active Adults

Approaching retirement, yet not ready to step away from being an active and contributing member of society?

78 million Baby Boomers stand to retire from full-time work over the next decade, and many of them are choosing to channel their skills and energy for social good.

For example, Coming of Age, is a program launching in the Bay Area to connect people over 50 with non-profit volunteer and occasionally paid opportunities.

Janet Oh, Co-Director of Coming of Age, says “A lot of the non-profits have had their budgets cut. Many of them have had to layoff staff. In addition to that, the needs of communities are growing even more so places like the food bank are having more demands for food.”

Baby Boomers could help fill a needed niche with non-profit organizations in need of volunteers with business experience.

A Coming of Age volunteer workshop will be held in San Francisco on Wednesday, March 17th with one in Oakland scheduled for next month. Check your community for similar opportunities.

Active Adult Lifestyle

Maintain Your Active Adult Lifestyle With Good Vascular Health

Baby boomers who want to have an active adult lifestyle need to understand how to maintain a healthy vascular system as they become seniors. The number of vascular disease cases is expected to rise dramatically as 87 million people are expected to be 55 and older by 2015. Vascular disease typically affects those in their senior years.

The vascular system is made up of arteries and veins that carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body to vital organs, the brain, and legs. As aging occurs, arteries tend to thicken with a build-up of plaque and cholesterol, get stiffer, and narrow. When blood flow is restricted, vascular diseases can lead to stroke; peripheral arterial disease can lead to problems walking and in the most advanced cases, foot ulcers, gangrene and possible amputation; and abdominal aortic aneurysm can result in death if not treated early.

Active Adult Living

Know what you can do to protect your vascular health!

The following five practices can have a very positive impact on your vascular health:

1. Stop smoking

2. Eat a healthy, low fat diet

3. Maintain good cholesterol levels

4. Take care of your blood pressure to keep it in a normal range

5. Exercise regularly -- even a moderate walking program can be effective

Active Adult Communities

People aged 55 and older should talk with their primary care physician about their vascular and overall health. The good news is that vascular disease can be controlled if diagnosed and treated early.