Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • Page 6-4

CChicago Tribune ChicagoHomes Section6 4 the first generation to grow up in the suburbs, boomers are accustomed to an active, family-oriented lifestyle that calls for space and privacy at home and the ability to walk out the door, get in the car and go wherever they want, when they said Nancy Thompson of AARP. boomers like where they The NAHB confirmed this in a 2009national survey of 55-plus homebuyers and the builders who court them. The survey revealed that most baby boomers want to age in place in their own suburban communities, near family and friends. But not all of them necessarily want to stay in the same large, multilevel house where they raised their kids. They want a home that fits their stage of life.

They want to upgrade, not upsize. Active-adult communities are the places to see what retiring baby boomers crave in a new home. These are communities that feature clubhouses, social activities, fitness amenities and maintenance-free living for those older than 55. There are many in the Chicago area, in- cluding the popular Del Webbbrand, which started the trend. is still such a core value in the said Maria Wilhelm, vice president of sales for PulteGroup Del parent company.

Chicago-area Del Webbs are attractive because so many people have family One-level homes What is the typical ranch home like in one of these retirement communities? It has all or most of the living space on one level, with few stairs. It is less than 3,000 square feet, with an open area, two bedrooms plus a den or three bedrooms, and an attached two-car garage. It has built-in Internet wiring, a walk-in shower, office space, granite countertops, a main-floor laundry and a master suite. Judi and Mike Marino purchased a ranch-style home at Grand Dominion, a Del Webb community in Mundelein, leaving behind their four-bedroom Lake Zurichhome where they lived for 35years and raised their children. were at the point where we lived between the kitchen and family Judi said.

They now have less square footage but more usable space. KERI PHOTO Aretiree wish list For aging baby boomers, all about the comforts of home By Lisa Jevens Special to the Tribune Retiring baby boomers have ditched the tired stereo- types about where they want to spend their golden years. Most do not plan to jettison possessions and fly south to a take up residence behind the gates of a golf course com- munity. In fact, 9 out of 10 retirees plan to stay put, according to AARPand the National Association of Home Builders..