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Superlatives are
perhaps the best way to describe California when compare d to the
rest of the U.S. It has the highest peak in the continental
U.S. (Mt. Whitney), boasts the world’s tallest trees
(Redwoods), is the most linguistically diverse (over 200
languages spoken), has the deepest desert (Death Valley) and it
is the most populated state.
The name “California” is believed to have derived from a legend
that claimed that there was once a civilization consisting of
only very strong women who were ruled by Queen Califia.
 Contrary to that, it has historically been one of the most
diverse areas in pre-Columbian times. It was originally
inhabited by more than 70 distinct groups of Indians.
In today’s society, this diversity still exists from its
population, to the religions they practice and the languages
they speak. Close to 60% are Caucasion, 36% are Hispanic and
the remainder are Asian, African-American and American Indian.
Languages spoke n are 60% English, 26% Spanish, followed by
Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, Korean and numerous others for a
total of over 200 languages. The state has the most Roman
Catholics of any state, a large Protestant population, the
second largest Jewish community in North America and the largest
Muslim population in the U.S.
 Some would say that Southern California is a magnifying glass of
all that diversity. With inhabitants from all over the world,
it has always been at the forefront of new ways of thinking,
dressing and even living. While there is no official definition
for the northern boundary of Southern California, it is
generally considered to be the land south of the Tehachapi
Mountains. Within those boundaries is Los Angeles, considered
to be a major world city, and five counties that are in the top
15 most populous in the U.S. The region is home to over 23
million people.
 The economy of Southern California is also diverse. The “Tech
Coast” is an area known for its technology innovations and
world-renowned research institutions. The University of
California employs more Nobel Prize laureates than any other
institution in the world. It is the entertainment capital of the
world and is home to Hollywood, the center of the motion picture
industry. Companies such as Walt Disney, Sony, Paramount
Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Warner Brothers are
headquartered there. The region is also home to many successful
sports franchises which add to the economy. The five largest
economic sectors are trade, transportation, governm ent, leisure
and hospitality.
Politically, the state is governed as a republic. It has three
branches consisting of the executive branch, which is the
Governor and other independently elected officers; the
legislative branch, consisting of the Assembly and Senate; and
the judicial branch. The judiciary in California is the largest
in the U.S. The state also allows direct participation of the
electorate by initiative, referendum, recall and ratification.
Since 1990, California has generally elected Democratic
candid ates, although they had no hesitation in electing Gov.
Schwarzenegger who is a Republican.
The income tax in California is the third highest in the
nation. It has six official brackets with the top rate at
9.3%. Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits are
exempt. Corporate income tax is 8.84%, making it the 10th
highest in the nation. The state levies a 7.25% general sales
tax which is above the national median of 5.4. Local
governments are allowed another 1.5%. Property is assessed at
100% of full cash value. The maximum tax is limited to 1% of
that value.
 With all the sports teams, Disneyland, Universal Studios, Sea
World, the ocean and numerous state parks, California has plenty
to offer in the way of recreation and entertainment. So, pack
up the grandkids and make a week of it while you tour any of the
numerous active adult communities located in Southern
California.
If you haven’t checked out our new website, please
do. There have been lots of great changes to make it much
easier to search and we have added numerous properties.
Look soon for our quarterly special issue, this time on Canada.
Next month look for our issue on South Florida. Till then
. . .
Dee Chandler,
Editor
Dee@ActiveAdultLiving.com |
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Active Lifestyle/Age Targeted Communities
State: North Carolina
City: Franklin
Community Name: Pine Hill Park
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Manufactured
Home Square Footage: 500 - 1300 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $19,000 - $40,000
Number of Homes: 85
Web Site
Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, close to shopping and
downtown. Close to Smoky Mountain National Park,
mountain living
State: Vermont
City: Rutland
Community Name: Wynnmere
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Single and Duplex Condominium
Home Square Footage: 1500-3000 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $399,950 - $453,900
Number of Homes: 36
Web Site
Amenities: Close to ski and golf
State: Ohio
City: Hudson
Community Name: Laurel Lake Retirement Community
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Apartments, Condominiums
Home Square Footage: 800 2700- Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $72,500 - $300,000
Number of Homes: 300
Web Site
Amenities: 150 acre campus, dining rooms, swimming
pools, fitness spa, computer center, library,
greenhouse. Close to Cuyahoga Valley National
Park, Brandywine sky resort, and many other attractions
State: Florida
City: Orlando
Community Name: Fairways Country Club (Grand Opening)
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Manufactured
Home Square Footage: 860 1850- Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $29,000 - $185,000
Number of Homes: 1142
Web Site
Amenities: 18 hole golf course, 3 clubhouses, 3 pool, 2
tennis courts, shuffleboard, bocce, horseshoes
State: Florida
City: Lakeland
Community Name: Lakeland Junction
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Manufactured
Home Square Footage: 900-1400 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $35,00 - $45,500
Number of Homes: 207
Web Site
Amenities: Heated pool, spa, shuffleboard, horseshoe
pits, clubhouse, card room, library. Thirty
minutes to Tampa, 30 minutes to Disney
State: Iowa
City: Des Moines
Community Name: Grand Lake View
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Manufactured
Home Square Footage: 1000-1450 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $20,000 - 80,000
Number of Homes: 17
Web Site
Amenities:
An upscale, 36-acre
manufactured housing community which features
bass fishing,
mature trees, lakes, and beautiful views.
It is 12 miles east of Des Moines, Iowa,
6 miles east
of Altoona, Iowa, and near
I-80.
State: South Carolina
City: Tega Cay
Community Name: Stonecrest Villas of Tega Cay
Age Restriction: Active Adult
Type of Home: Ranch Style Condominium
Home Square Footage: 1300-1900 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $199,500 - $284,900
Number of Homes: 90
Web Site
Amenities: Clubhouse, heated pool, fitness center
State: Massachusetts
City: Lancaster
Community Name: Blue Heron Pond
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Townhomes
Home Square Footage: 1450-2200 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $299,900 - $349,900
Number of Homes: 58
Web Site
Amenities: Twin Springs Golf Course, The International
Golf Club, The Bolton Fair at Lancaster
State: Massachusetts
City: Braintree
Community Name: The Residences at Union Station
Age Restriction: Low Maintenance
Type of Home: Condominium
Home Square Footage: 2350-2767 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $592,000 - $646,000
Number of Homes: 24
Web Site
Amenities: Clubhouse, Pool/Spa, Walking Trails, Putting
Green, Movie Theater, Golf Room, Fitness Center,
Billiards
State: Florida
City: Nokomis
Community Name: Lake Village
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Manufactured
Home Square Footage: 552-1456 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $7,000 - $25,900
Number of Homes: 391
Web Site
Amenities: Clubhouse, swimming pool, spa, horseshoes,
bocce, shuffleboard, tiki picnic area, travel club,
dances, coming soon; fitness center.
State: North Carolina
City: Huntersville
Community Name: The Glens at Birkdale Commons
Age Restriction: Active Adult 55+
Type of Home: Ranch Style Villa
Home Square Footage: 854-1403 Sq. Ft.
Number of Homes: 60
Web Site
Amenities: Lodge, Exercise, Activities Coordinator,
Private Screened Porches and Patio for Personal
Enjoyment
State: Pennsylvania
City: Hummelstown
Community Name: High Pointe in Hershey
Age Restriction: Active Adult
Type of Home: Condominiums
Home Square Footage: 1400-4200 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $250,000 - $500,000
Number of Homes: 108
Web
Site
Amenities: reading room, library, game room, meandering
trails, coffee shop, koi pond, and much more.
Close to Hershey Park, Antique Auto Museum, Giant
Center, Hershey links, Hershey Theater, Hershey hotel
State: Tennessee
City: Blountville
Community Name: Cottages at Feathers Chapel
Age Restriction: Active Adult
Type of Home: Single Family, Condominium
Home Square Footage: 1500-1700 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $179,900 - $279,900
Number of Homes: 116
Web Site
Amenities: Clubhouse, heated pool, fitness center
State: Pennsylvania
City: Athertyn
Community Name: Athertyn
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Luxury Condominium
Home Square Footage: 1800-2900 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $635,000 - $1.3m
Number of Homes: 198
Web Site
Amenities: Parkside setting; walking, biking and nature
trails, Clubhouse with fitness center, event , club and
card rooms, conference and library; outdoor pool and
spa; tennis court, putting green, and gardens
State: Massachusetts
City: Dover
Community Name: The Meadows of Dover
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Luxury Detached Condominium
Home Square Footage: 1600-3000 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $975,000 - $1.5m
Number of Homes: 24
Web Site
Amenities: Exterior Maintenance, Septic, Roads,
Plowing. Close to Boston, shopping, walking
trails, stables
State: Montana
City: Bozeman
Community Name: The Knolls at Hillcrest
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Single Family
Home Square Footage: 1515-4100 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $424,900 - $775,000
Number of Homes: 76
Web Site
Amenities: Maintenance free living, lock and leave
security checks, concierge services, parks, trails,
future Lifestyle Center. Montana State University,
Big Sky Resort, Yellowstone National Park, Moonlight
Basin, Bridger Bowl, Bohart Ranch, Museum of the
Rockies, Gallatin National Forest
State: Virginia
City: Richmond
Community Name: Grayson Hill
Age Restriction: Active Adult
Type of Home: Townhomes
Home Square Footage: 1800-2700 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $414,900 - $700,000
Number of Homes: 100
Web
Site
Amenities: Hardwood floor, Granite Countertops, 9ft
Ceilings, Clubhouse, Pool, Fitness Room
State: Rhode Island
City: Middletown
Community Name: Bay Ridge
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Garage Condominiums
Home Square Footage: 1795-2280 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $419,000 - $539,900
Number of Homes: 60
Web Site
Amenities: Bay, clubhouse, tennis, bocce, pool.
Close to Historic Newport, RI, Carnegie Abbey, Newport
mansions, beaches, Cliff Walk
State: Washington
City: Vancouver
Community Name: The Villas at Salmon Creek Commons
Age Restriction: 55+
Type of Home: Patio Home
Home Square Footage: 1150-1912 Sq. Ft.
Priced from: $289,500 - $353,500
Number of Homes: 46
Web
Site
Amenities: 2 car garages, Close to all amenities
including hospital and I-5 and I-205 Freeway, Walking
distance to shopping, restaurants, banking, busline,
Starbucks. Clark County's new premier Active Adult
Community!
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White
Township (Belvidere), Warren County NJ Active Adult Community
55+ Single family home, 1835 SQ, 2 B/R, 2 Full Baths,
Den/3rd B/R, EIK, Great Room, Formal Living Room & Dining Room,
2 Car Garage, Top of the Line upgrades, Low Taxes, Maintenance
Fee $125 monthly includes all lawn maintenance, snow removal,
trash collection, clubhouse facilities including exercise room,
billiards, library, heated outdoor pool, bocce, tennis courts.
$419,900 Call (908) 475-4608 / (908) 797-1790
