Location Matters: How a Walkable Retirement Community Can Improve Your Lifestyle & Health

Location, location, location! At Artessa, we know firsthand how living in a desirable neighborhood during your new prime can lead to a more fulfilling, convenient quality of life.

We also know the U.S., dominated by car-centered infrastructure, ranks among the worst countries in terms of “walkability” compared to other developed nations — but we’re here to help change that.

Our 62+ co-ops are strategically built in highly walkable areas in the Midwest and Southwest, focusing on up-and-coming areas that give members quick access to their favorite destinations on foot.

Let’s explore how walkability can drastically improve your health, social connections and more — and why it matters.

The Many Health Benefits of Walkability

We all know walking is a low-intensity, low-impact health hack that can help you maintain an ideal weight and keep your body stronger, longer. But check out these lesser-known benefits from Harvard:

• Boosts immune function: People who walk just 20 minutes per day, five days per week, have 43% fewer sick days than those who walk once a week or less.
• Curbs your sweet tooth: Yes, really! A 15-minute walk has proven to tame cravings for chocolate and other sugary snacks.
• Reduces risk of some cancer types: Women who walk seven or more hours per week have a 14% lower risk of breast cancer than those who walk three hours or fewer per week.
• Alleviates joint pain: Walking reduces arthritis pain and often prevents it in the first place.

The advantages go beyond physical health: Older adults who walk four days per week score significantly higher on cognitive tests than their sedentary counterparts as they age, too.

Getting out and about with friends is even more beneficial — exercising while socializing helps stave off isolation and loneliness, which are associated with increased risk for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, depression, chronic stress and premature death.

The best part? You don’t have to reach that common 10,000-step goal to see a difference. One 2022 study from The Lancet found that for people above 60, the sweet spot for reduced mortality risk is between 6,000 and 8,000 steps each day.

Our Unique Approach to Walkable Retirement Communities

At Artessa, we don’t just talk the talk when it comes to location. We also give you freedom to “walk the walk” with all your top to-dos, outdoor activities, restaurants, entertainment venues and more.

And within these flourishing neighborhoods, the co-ops themselves boast abundant amenities right on site. Fewer errands, fewer miles and fewer gas fill-ups mean less stress, time and money for you.

• Stop by the car and pet wash station, conveniently located in our climate-controlled garage.
• Host friends and family without ever leaving “home,” with thousands of square feet of indoor and outdoor community spaces.
• Walk the dog around beautifully landscaped greenspaces and ponds.
• Reach your goals with a well-equipped fitness and yoga studio right outside your door.

Discover a truly walkable lifestyle in our 62+, boutique-style co-ops in Minnesota and coming soon to Arizona — and find a community within an accommodating, fast-growing neighborhood you love. Let’s get in touch.