Growing Demand for Wellness Communities

"Won't you be my neighbor?" Chances are you grew up familiar with this famous line and at some point dreamt of living in a neighborhoodvery similar to the one crafted by Mister Rogers. Generations of children who grew up being influenced by Mister Roger's Neighborhood have grown into today's community planners, home builders, and home buyers. They have lead the charge for neighborhoods that offer diversity, a sense of belonging, and an active lifestyle.  Since the turn of the century, we've begun seeing more and more communities focused on bringing people together and supporting not just their physical but emotional well-being. This movement, known as Wellness Real Estate, is a fast-growing sector of the real estate market and is here to stay. 

So what is Wellness Real Estate?

Wellness lifestyle real estate is defined as homes that are proactively designed and built to support the holistic health of their residents. 

A wellness community is a group of people living in close proximity who share common goals, interests, and experiences in proactively pursuing wellness across its many dimensions. It can be rooted in a purpose-built physical space or can be cultivated around shared culture or social networks without purpose-built structures. 

Wellness communities allow people to blend their work, home, and free time in a way that provides much-needed balance. Demand is at an all-time high, with buyers considering a neighborhood's amenities as well as walk and bike scores, green spaces, and infrastructure when narrowing down their choices. They're looking for areas that provide a central hub and offer a refuge from modern life stressors. From neighborhood schools to bike trails and coffee shops, buyers are willing to pay a premium to be in a community that meets their wellness needs. In fact, according to neighborhoodscout.com, homes in Fishhawk Ranch, one of the area's most well-known wellness communities, are priced higher than 77% of neighborhoods in FL. Homebuyers are willing to spend more, knowing that their home will be a long-term investment not just financially but also in their well-being. 

Looking around Tampa Bay, you'll find many examples of wellness living. Winthrop Village, a neighborhood in Riverview, FL, prides itself on "building a tradition of community."

"In an age not long past, people lived in communities that connected them to the fabric of life, where they worked, learned, and relaxed. Winthrop offers not only the shopping needs of daily life but all of the needs, such as medical, education, events, and housing of all types. Winthrop brings an urban sensibility and infuses the community back to the suburban life."

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Further south, you'll find the community of Waterset, which boasts a large central lake, 12 miles of trails, two fitness centers, three pools, and The Landing-a blend of clubhouse and cafe. 

"Here, life moves at whatever pace you choose. Scenic views and beautiful nature surround every home, and neighbors quickly turn from strangers into family. It's a one-of-a-kind place to live the life you've always dreamed of, in the home of your dreams."

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One of the newest and highly anticipated communities to hit Tampa Bay is Epperson in Wesley Chapel. There, community planners have wholly embraced wellness living. From the first-of-its-kind lagoon, solar streetlights, and golf cart paths to their commitment to sustainability, Epperson's Connected City offers residents the opportunity to love where they live and feel good while they're at it.

"A blueprint for ideas, education, economic development, and community engagement, the Connected City vision is a foundation of cutting-edge concepts, technology, and sustainability that will create one of the healthiest, happiest, and best places to live.

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Today more than ever before, our homes and neighborhoods are being asked to become active participants in our overall wellness. Nationwide and here at home, we've seen a marked shift away from city centers and into suburban communities that fit the wellness model. No longer a niche market, expect to see more and more of these communities popping up in the coming years.