Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That’s something most of us strive for and the new trend for achieving that goal is to move into a live-work-play community. This concept may be unfamiliar, but it has been around since the 1980s in spirit and is popping up again in many metropolitan areas. It’s time to enjoy life and get everything you need in one convenient place!
Live, work and what?
The roots of the live-work-play community aren’t exactly new. In the past, this concept has been known as mixed-use development. It’s popular in highly-populated areas and has beginnings in the idea that people are happier living in a neighborhood that provides for many of their needs.
Downtown epicenters used to function this way in many cities, before people started moving to the suburbs. The most recent version of the live-work-play community means building a development that has a variety of housing, is close to local companies where the community works, and provides recreational outlets for eating and entertainment. The play aspect of the community can include locations such as grocery stores, movie theaters, walking trails, dog parks and the like.
And live-work-play communities are no longer limited to city centers. Now, they even pop up in suburban areas as a way to emulate the conveniences of city life.
Benefits of a live-work-play lifestyle
Is this new centralized lifestyle right for you? If you enjoy convenience and low-stress living, then you would be a perfect candidate. One of the benefits of having everything in close proximity is that you cut out long commutes and the hassle of driving all over town to run errands. Less driving also means less pollution, more walking and a healthier lifestyle.
If you enjoy meeting new people and interacting with your neighbors, this type of community would also be a good fit for you. Live-work-play housing options typically include apartments, condominiums, townhomes and single family homes. They are often built close together in a small neighborhood area, so it is easy to get to know your neighbors. You will also be sharing the same community amenities such as the grocery store, park, restaurants, and dry cleaners. This makes it easy to make friends and feel connected to your neighbors.
Flexibility is a big plus of the live-work-play lifestyle because you can establish firm roots in the community. You may start out as an apartment renter, then grow your family and move to a house, and finally downsize in your later years to a townhome. It’s positive to be able to enjoy the same neighborhood through the stages of your life; it’s also wonderful to experience such a diverse range of ages in one community.
Popular places to check out
Are you sold on searching for a live-work-play community of your very own?
There are probably several communities that exist or are being developed in your town. Check out the local real estate sites to see what is available. The beauty of live-work-play communities is that they are accessible to the public, so you can go take advantage of the play amenities by shopping or eating in neighborhoods that interest you. That way you can give the community a test run and get a sense of what it would be like to live there.
There are many thriving mixed-use communities in cities across the United States. Kiplinger recently did a study on the top 10 live, work, play neighborhoods. You might be surprised by the results. Houston topped out at #1, with Raleigh, Boise, Omaha and Colorado Springs on its heels. These favorites held several factors in common, including great economies, an abundance of jobs and a lot of fun things to do.
How you live, work, and play has a big impact on your health, stress levels and quality of life. Fortunately, there are a lot of options to create a lifestyle that promotes happiness. A live-work-play community might be the perfect solution for you.
