--- title: An Active Adult Community Blog | Karen Gillum --- [![EPCON](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/Logo/EpconCommunities_Clarity_Construction_Logo.svg)](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/) - [Our Communities](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/communities/) - [The Courtyards at Harvest Ridge](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/harvest-ridge-ankeny-iowa/) - [The Courtyards at Kings Landing](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/kings-landing/) - [The Courtyards at Parkside](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/parkside-waukee-iowa/) - [The Courtyards at Rock Creek](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/rock-creek/) - [The Courtyards at Shadow Creek](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/shadow-creek/) - [Why Epcon](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/why-epcon/) - [Our Team](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/about/) - [The Epcon Lifestyle](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/lifestyle/) - [What is HECM?](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/hecm/) - [Blog](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog) - [Gallery](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/gallery/) - [Contact](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/contact/) # An Active Adult Community Blog ## Karen Gillum ![Karen Gillum](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/f5a68f552656fb992f1f58fc1d427dfb) ### Recent Posts ## [Starting Fresh in a New Community Doesn't Need to Mean Starting Over](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/starting-fresh-active-adult-community) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Sep 28, 2020, 10:15:00 AM [![active-adult-fitness](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/active-adult-fitness.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/starting-fresh-active-adult-community) If you’re widowed or an [empty nester](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/5-ways-to-fall-in-love-with-your-empty-nest), you may be thinking about relocating to be closer to your family. This kind of major move can be stressful, and maybe even a little scary, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming! [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/starting-fresh-active-adult-community) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/starting-fresh-active-adult-community#comments-listing) Topics: [Lifestyle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) ## [5 Reasons to Love Living in a Single-Level Home](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/5-reasons-to-love-living-in-a-single-level-home) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Aug 20, 2020, 3:06:52 PM [![single-level-house-epcon-communities](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/single-level-house-epcon-communities.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/5-reasons-to-love-living-in-a-single-level-home) Owning and maintaining a multi-level home can be hard, time-consuming work, especially as you age. Your life could be much simpler by transitioning to single level living in an active adult community! [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/5-reasons-to-love-living-in-a-single-level-home) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/5-reasons-to-love-living-in-a-single-level-home#comments-listing) Topics: [Floor Plan Styles](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/floor-plan-styles) ## [How Natural Sunlight Can Help Your Perspective](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/how-natural-sunlight-can-help-your-perspective) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on May 19, 2020, 1:45:00 PM [![sunlight-through-window-with-plant](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/sunlight-through-window-with-plant.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/how-natural-sunlight-can-help-your-perspective) When you can’t spend much time outside (due to winter conditions or unexpected social distancing recommendations during a global pandemic like COVID-19), the days can seem to drag on forever, especially if you suffer from seasonal depression, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to Healthline, [while the cause is unknown](https://www.healthline.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder#causes), those of us who live in places with less sunlight exposure are more likely to experience SAD.  [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/how-natural-sunlight-can-help-your-perspective) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/how-natural-sunlight-can-help-your-perspective#comments-listing) Topics: [Lifestyle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) ## [4 Tips for Your Spring Cleaning Checklist](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/4-tips-for-your-spring-cleaning-checklist) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Apr 22, 2020, 1:45:00 PM [![gloved-hand-holding-spray-bottle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/gloved-hand-holding-spray-bottle.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/4-tips-for-your-spring-cleaning-checklist) Spring is finally here, which means warmer weather… and spring cleaning. While the latter may not be as pleasant as the former, deep cleaning your home, especially if [you plan to downsize](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/moving-101-deciding-its-time-to-sell-the-house-and-tell-the-kids), is important to the overall maintenance of your house. These four tips can make spring cleaning and downsizing your home much easier.  [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/4-tips-for-your-spring-cleaning-checklist) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/4-tips-for-your-spring-cleaning-checklist#comments-listing) Topics: [Lifestyle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) ## [Energy Savings Tips for Your Zero Entry Home](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/energy-savings-tips-for-your-zero-entry-home) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Jan 22, 2020, 10:15:00 AM [![](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/tan%20house%20with%20garage.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/energy-savings-tips-for-your-zero-entry-home) Winter tends to linger in the Midwest. It is sometimes as if the cold seeps into your bones, spurring many to boost their thermostats to keep their home feeling warm and cozy. If you are a new [zero-entry homeowner](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/amenities/), you may be concerned about energy costs during these chilly months. If you want to save on your heating bill but can’t do a lot of home repair or upgrades on your own, the following [energy-saving tips](https://www.epconcommunities.com/news/epcon-energy-saving-tips-for-fall/) can be useful. [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/energy-savings-tips-for-your-zero-entry-home) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/energy-savings-tips-for-your-zero-entry-home#comments-listing) Topics: [Lifestyle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) ## [Top 5 Myths About Living in an Active Adult Community](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/top-5-myths-about-living-in-an-active-adult-community) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Sep 5, 2019, 12:33:00 PM [![people-chatting-in-courtyard](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/people-chatting-in-courtyard.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/top-5-myths-about-living-in-an-active-adult-community) [Active adult communities provide some distinct advantages](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/live-active-live-happy-live-longer-benefits-of-an-active-adult-community?_ga=2.211742416.43661796.1567538031-1438004438.1535388875) over remaining in the family home after the kids have moved away. When researching your options for your next home, it’s important to separate myth from fact. Here are five common myths about active adult communities.  [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/top-5-myths-about-living-in-an-active-adult-community) 2 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/top-5-myths-about-living-in-an-active-adult-community#comments-listing) Topics: [About Epcon Communities](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/about-epcon-communities), [Lifestyle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) ## [What’s the Different Between Custom and Personalized Homes?](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/whats-the-different-between-custom-and-personalized-homes) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Aug 30, 2019, 2:10:00 PM [![white-kitchen](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/white-kitchen.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/whats-the-different-between-custom-and-personalized-homes) With an empty nest, you’ve decided it’s time to move into a home that better fits your new lifestyle. The question now is what type of home that is. While the simplicity of moving into an existing home is appealing, you have specific wants and needs for your next home that you don’t want to compromise—and might not be able to find in the limited choices available on the market.  You could build your custom dream home and get everything you want down to the last detail. However, that means you need to be ready to commit to the work of planning every last detail as well as paying the premium price that comes with a custom build. There is a middle road, however: purchasing a new personalized home.  [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/whats-the-different-between-custom-and-personalized-homes) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/whats-the-different-between-custom-and-personalized-homes#comments-listing) Topics: [Lifestyle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/lifestyle), [Floor Plan Styles](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/floor-plan-styles) ## [Remodel or Sell? What to Do with Your Empty Nest](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/remodel-or-sell-what-to-do-with-your-empty-nest) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Jun 6, 2019, 1:36:00 PM [![empty-nest-remodel-sell-home](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/Webp.net-compress-image.jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/remodel-or-sell-what-to-do-with-your-empty-nest) You’ve got an empty nest now, and you’re torn. Should you stay in your family home and remodel it or sell your house and move into the home of your dreams? Here are some of the benefits of each option to help you decide what to do with your empty nest. [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/remodel-or-sell-what-to-do-with-your-empty-nest) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/remodel-or-sell-what-to-do-with-your-empty-nest#comments-listing) Topics: [Moving Process](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/moving-process) ## [Moving 101: The Art of Unpacking](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/moving-101-the-art-of-unpacking) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Apr 24, 2019, 2:08:00 PM [![dachshund-in-cardboard-box](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/Webp.net-compress-image%20(66).jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/moving-101-the-art-of-unpacking) You've told the kids, sold your house, and made it to [your new dream home](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/live-active-live-happy-live-longer-benefits-of-an-active-adult-community). Now, the moment you’ve been waiting for: unpacking. Save time and energy with these quick tips for mastering the art of unpacking.  [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/moving-101-the-art-of-unpacking) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/moving-101-the-art-of-unpacking#comments-listing) Topics: [Moving Process](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/moving-process) ## [Tips for Living Active After 55](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tips-for-living-active-after-55) Posted by [Karen Gillum](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum) on Mar 29, 2019, 12:35:00 PM [![women-in-gym](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/Webp.net-compress-image%20(54).jpg)](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tips-for-living-active-after-55) With your years of experience, you’ve had time to learn the importance of living life to its fullest! Life after 55 can be an exciting and fulfilling adventure, but only if you’re prepared. Check out these tips for living active [after 55](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/now-what-combatting-empty-nest-syndrome).  [Read More](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tips-for-living-active-after-55) 0 Comments [Click here to read/write comments](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tips-for-living-active-after-55#comments-listing) Topics: [Lifestyle](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/tag/lifestyle) [All posts](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/all) [Next](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/blog/author/karen-gillum/page/2) ### Subscribe to our blog! ![EPCON](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/Logo/EpconCommunities_Clarity_Construction_Logo_White.svg) At Epcon communities across the country, life is meant to be lived on your terms. That’s because we build homes with communities in mind, and with an attention to details that appeal to our buyer’s desires. - Quick Links - [Home](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/) - [Experience Our Communities](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/communities/) - [The Epcon Lifestyle](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/lifestyle/) - [Why Epcon](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/why-epcon/) - [Contact](https://www.clarityconstruction.com/contact/) ### Contact Us 2873 104th St, Urbandale, IA 50322 Phone: [515-789-3878](tel:515-789-3878) [![Epcon on Facebook](https://info.clarityconstruction.com/hubfs/001-facebook.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/epconcommunitiesclarityconstruction)