Mom and dad are retiring–and guess what? They’ve decided they want to move closer to their favorite adult child: you. Okay, so maybe it’s really the grandkids. The idea of your parents moving closer is something to celebrate but can also bring mixed feelings. Will they want to spend too much time with your family and interfere with your routines? Ideally, you can get them close– but not too close, ensuring they have active and fulfilling lives apart from you and your family. Finding the right active adult community in a convenient setting can help bring extended families closer while allowing seniors to maintain hobbies and interests beyond their kids and grandkids.
What Are The Advantages of Having Parents Nearby?
You may not realize it, but having your parents within the day-trip range has lots of advantages:
- It’s easier to support them as they age. Dealing with everything from home improvements to doctors’ appointments is more convenient when you’re close.
- It provides opportunities for quality time with grandchildren. Living nearby allows grandparents to get to know their grandchildren in a low-pressure environment, with shorter visits and fun outings. Your parents can also support you with childcare if their health and activity levels allow.
- Having parents nearby reduces the pressure of extended visits. Instead of stressful week-long visits with out-of-state family, you can spend time together more frequently for shorter periods.
What Qualities Make A Terrific 55+ Community?
When we look at thriving communities for adults 55 and older, some of the must-haves include:
- Amenities that allow for fitness, creativity, and social engagement.
- Attractive, well-designed homes that are inviting and easy to maintain.
- A beautiful setting that enables us to enjoy nature and take advantage of outdoor hobbies.
- Proximity to shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.
Top-notch school districts are far less critical for empty nesters. In Northern Virginia, when adult children live in a pricier suburb like Loudoun or Fairfax, their parents may choose a community in a farther-out (but still highly accessible) area like Frederick County, Virginia, or West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. These communities allow empty nesters to get more house for their money while staying close to children and grandchildren.
Why Should Mom and Dad Consider Lake Frederick, Virginia?
For many empty nesters, Lake Frederick offers the best of all worlds.
- It’s close (but not too close) to adult children and grandchildren in Northern Virginia’s D.C. suburbs.
- It’s convenient for day trips and overnights, with easy access from Northern Virginia via Route 66, Route 81, and Route 7.
- It offers a tranquil rural environment on a beautiful state-maintained lake.
- It boasts activities and amenities to keep older adults active, allowing them to make friends and build independent social lives. With art and studio classes, exercise classes, pickleball, and bocce courts, plus a top-notch restaurant, there’s something for everyone.
- Lake Frederick is a fun place to visit for adult children and grandchildren. The centerpiece is the 117-acre lake operated by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, ideal for fishing and boating. The community also offers miles of walking paths, indoor and outdoor pools, and several restaurants.
Are you looking for a place for mom and dad that checks all the boxes? Yvonne Holland is an excellent resource if Lake Frederick is on your list. As a longtime Northern Virginia real estate agent, Yvonne and her husband fell in love with Lake Frederick and everything it offers–so much so that they decided to make it their home. Since then, Yvonne has helped active seniors from around the region find their happy place in this fantastic community. If your parents are looking for a fun community that’s an easy drive to Loudoun and Fairfax, let Yvonne show you what she loves about this regional gem.
