As more baby boomers approach retirement and face all the details of estate planning, medical care, IRAs, and more, new homes designed for aging adults are popping up everywhere. There are numerous housing developments and adult communities springing up around the country designed for residents over the age of 55.

Many of these communities offer the opportunity for socializing, recreation, outdoor maintenance that's taken care of, on-site restaurants, golf courses and numerous other amenities. There are generally four types of retirement communities. These are independent living facilities, active adult communities, continuing care retirement communities and assisted living residences.

Most new housing developments that target aging adults tend to be either active adult communities (AACs) or a blend of AACs with some continuing care facilities, like an on-site doctor or medical facility.

If you're planning to move in your retirement, new homes in an active adult community can be very attractive. However, what should you look for in a community, and how should you evaluate it? To find out and learn more, keep reading.

Proximity to Your Family

If you want to be close to your children and grandchildren, that's going to be a primary factor in choosing a retirement community. When making your decision, think about how far you'd be willing to drive or the distance you'd expect your children and family to travel for a visit. For some people, it might be 15 minutes while for others it could be a few hours.

How do the Philosophies and Principles Compare to Yours?

Many retirement communities and active adult living developments have certain philosophies. The question is, do they match your own? If you love hunting and fishing, you may not enjoy spending your retirement in a community dedicated to vegetarianism and artistic pursuits.

For example, there's a retirement community in Arizona that's committed to academic research, another in Florida that's focused on extremely active living and yet another in California with a passion toward being an environmentally sustainable community. So, before you buy, make sure you understand the driving principles.

Pedestrian and Transit Friendly

The reality is that many seniors don't continue to drive for the duration of their lives. So, finding a retirement community that is either very pedestrian friendly or has easy access to public transit is critical. You'll appreciate the easy access to groceries and pharmacies.

Would I Get Along with the Other Residents?

One of the best things you can do before you buy into a new retirement community is attend a meeting for potential homeowners. If the community is already built, then ask to join in a social or recreational function.

Get a feel for the members of the community, their attitude and their general outlook. Could you see yourself spending time with these people throughout your retirement? New homes or not, you want to share those years with people you actually like.