Magazine puts Jackson community among best
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

When it is time to retire, there may be no place in the state of New Jersey other than right here in Jackson.

The editors of Where to Retire magazine recently published their list of America's 100 Best Master-Planned Communities, and K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes made the list as the only representative from New Jersey.

The list of the best master-planned communities is not a 1 to 100 ranking; instead, the 100 communities are listed by state.

Magazine editor Mary Lu Abbott said, "This is Where to Retire magazine's fifth biennial honor roll. Where to Retire is the leading source of information on relocating in retirement, providing profiles of towns and communities, along with articles on retirement lifestyles and other issues."

In a nine-month process of evaluating several hundred communities, the editors chose the 100 outstanding retirement communities from across the nation. The editors evaluated cost, location and range of lifestyle amenities.

Many of those selected are active adult communities like Four Seasons at Metedeconk, where there is a minimum age requirement of 55.

"Not only are you buying a home in these communities, you are also buying a lifestyle," said Where to Retire publisher Karen Northridge. "These master-planned developments are secure, well-maintained and offer amenities like clubhouses, fitness center and social clubs."

Northridge said the 100 best master-planned communities also show a trend toward active retirement with walking and biking trails, state-of-the-art gyms, spas and exercise classes. The communities include green areas in park-like settings. Many of these communities also have security in the form of entry gates or other types of access control.

K. Hovnanian regional manager Christy Kass said, "Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes is truly a wonderful community. The builder offers 13 different home styles and there are loads of amenities." She said the people who live in Metedeconk Lakes make it special.

Kass said the homes feature an open floor plan that allows people who are in the kitchen to be able to talk to people who are in the living room. Home buyers may add touches that reflect their personality, she said.

"You can walk in your front door and then walk in your neighbor's front door and they don't look exactly the same," Kass said. "That's what we try to do for our homeowners."

Broker of record Mike McGreevey said 530 of a possible 785 homes have been sold; and 440 of those homes have already been built in the 475-acre community. Prices from $360,000 to $600,000 and builder incentives are being offered.

"It's a great location, being 20 minutes from the beach towns," McGreevey said. "It's close to shopping, major malls, transportation and health care facilities. It's just an ideal location."

Residents were pleased to hear that Where to Retire had deemed their community to be outstanding.

"We've been living here for about 18 months," said Ron Isaacson, who is semi-retired. "The management has been very accommodating."

Isaacson said the facilities are second to none and said he and his wife, Lucy, love living in the community.

"I enjoy tennis and swimming. There are so many different activities that are planned and every month there are special activities. My house is like a dream home for us," said Isaacson, who owns a Martinique model on a wooded lot. "It's comfortable and the surroundings are beautiful. Living in a wooded community is outstanding."

Retired teacher Paul Winkler, who owns a Sanibel model with his wife, Carol, said he has friends in New Jersey and Florida who have never seen a community with as much activity.

"This has always been a vibrant community, even before the clubhouse was completed," he said. "The grounds are beautiful. That's what got me to the community in the first place."

Winkler said he is involved with many activities, one of which he started himself, the Brooklyn Club.

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN K. Hovnanian's Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes, Jackson, is an active adult community where residents say they like to get involved in the multitude of activities offered to them. Where to Retire magazine has named Four Seasons at Metedeconk Lakes one of the 100 best master-planned communities in the United States.

"I found there were many people here from Brooklyn, and with the bond that we had, I thought it would be great to form a Brooklyn Club," Winkler said. "We have over 250 people in the club now who enjoy trips, movies and competitions by [their former] high school."

Retired resident Jack Markle said living in the community is like being on a year-round cruise. Markle enjoys golf at nearby courses and daily walks around the community with his wife, Eileen. They can frequently be found having a barbecue on their patio.

Recently retired teacher Debbie Caplan and her husband, Steve, have found a place where there is peace and serenity.

"When I walk out my door I see people who greet you with a hello," she said. "There's a sense of security and a feeling of belonging here. My husband and I feel like we have found Shangri-La in New Jersey."

Homeowner Gloria Moran said she enjoys her early morning walks and caring for the plants, bushes and trees that surround her home. She said living at Metedeconk Lakes allows her to live life to its fullest.

The July-August issue of Where to Retire is available at local newsstands, at book stores, or by calling (713) 974-6903.