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Thirty-five years gone in the blink of an eye—how did ideal-LIVING grow from a small-town start in Wilmington, NC to becoming the nation’s largest real estate show, and some even say, a global sensation? With such a humble beginning now flourishing into an international success, we’re celebrating by sitting down with our founder, Michael Hackeling.…

One of the most enjoyable things about life is sharing good food with family and friends. Eating together is a form of bonding that helps you build and strengthen relationships, while creating shared experiences and community. Exploring new foods together can be exciting and adventurous. So when you are exploring areas to relocate to, don’t…

Think back to your freshman orientation on a large university campus, when you were thrilled to see all the clubs, sports, and events that were ready and waiting for you. But there was just one problem: school. You had to attend classes, write essays, and study for exams. Education was getting in the way of…

“To sit in solitude, to think in solitude with only the music of the stream and the cedar to break the flow of silence, there lies the value of wilderness.” – John Muir The venerable naturalist of the high Sierras inspired millions by espousing the soul-nurturing benefits of nature. Such, too, is the goal for…

For centuries we’ve never asked the sport of golf for more than firm ground, fair rules, and a bonny walk. But, we asked way more in 2020, and the fairways took us in, gave us a place to be outside for hours on end, and kept us safe and sane. Golf rounds in America in…

Fitness Director Helps Rekindle Passions   Haley Kinne-Norris is the INSPIRE Wellness and Enrichment Coordinator for Liberty Senior Living, a collection of 21 continuing-care retirement communities for active adults. INSPIRE stands for Inclusive, Nutritional, Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, and Engaging. It’s that “E” word – engaging – that captures Haley’s mission: to create a robust opportunity…

Planned communities are full of fun, and keeping your mind and body fit is at the core of all the action. One of the main goals of master-planned communities is to offer an environment that fosters the opportunity to get and stay fit, so their residents feel younger and happier. Almost every community has a…

Court Sports Use it or lose it, right? We all know that the best way to stay strong and agile is to keep our bodies moving, and what better way to do this than by hitting the courts? Most communities offer an amazing selection of amenities, including many court sports, to keep residents connected, fit,…

Let You Enjoy Your Community “Let’s go for a walk.” When you live in a planned community, that energetic suggestion takes on a new and delightful meaning. When Ideal-LIVING surveys its readers, walking trails are the number one requested amenity. And, consequently, most ideal-Living communities offer a variety of walking and hiking trails. Some communities…