A time to redefine

“I couldn’t believe we were thinking about leaving our home of 35 years,’’ said Betsy Cochrane, 64, “but the appeal of a neighborhood of like-minded folks, along with maintenance-free living, felt like a new chapter in our lives.’’

The Cochranes, who live at Caldwell Farm in Newbury, are part of the breed of empty nesters launching their second acts at resort-style communities restricted to adults over 55. As 60 becomes the new 40, these communities appeal to people looking not so much to retire, but rather to redefine their lives.

Whether residents are pursuing a second career, a round of golf, or world travels, these communities offer a variety of amenities that make living easier. In addition to golf courses, fitness centers, clubhouses, and tennis courts, these typically gated communities provide security services and peace of mind.

For frequent travelers like the Cochranes, that’s a plus. “It’s very easy to leave our home because you know it’s very secure,’’ said Kevin Cochrane, 66.

Choosing an adult community is as much about lifestyle as living space, said Elinor Ginzler, a housing specialist at AARP, the lobby for older Americans. In many cases, people aren’t downsizing, but rather using equity built in family homes to step up to fancier environments.

They “might be moving from five bedrooms to two bedrooms,’’ said Ginzler, “but the new place could have even more floor space and extra room for entertaining, so they’re getting rid of beds and buying more sofas.’’

Four years ago, the Cochranes moved from a four-bedroom, 3,000-square-foot colonial in Wenham to a 3,500-square-foot, two-bedroom townhouse at Caldwell Farm. Their longtime home, nestled on two acres with a pond, had become a burden. “All the weeding, lawn cutting, and gardening was becoming less and less attractive,’’ said Kevin Cochrane.

The breaking point came in 2005, when a nor’easter piled 27 inches of snow in their driveway. “If there was any question about moving, it ended then,’’ said Kevin Cochrane.

The Cochranes began weighing options. They agreed a condo was out of the question — they didn’t like living so close to neighbors. They were too young and healthy for assisted living, so they looked at over-55 communities.

“Ease of living was very important to us,’’ said Betsy Cochrane. “We wanted a place that was comfortable and upbeat.’’

Active adult communities offer a range of housing, from single-family homes to attached townhouses to apartment-style condos, plus maintenance services such as landscaping, snow removal, and trash collection. Prices and fees can vary.

For example, costs range from $699,000 to $799,000 at Caldwell Farm, with average monthly fees of $440 covering maintenance as well as the clubhouse and swimming pool. At The Village in West Gloucester, units run about $595,000, with monthly fees of $492, but there are no recreational amenities.

Adult communities can come with built-in social networks — sometimes likened to a quieter version of college campus life — and that might not be for everyone. Some people also find they miss children zipping around the neighborhood on bikes.

Housing specialists suggest that those considering active adult communities should stay a few nights to get a feel for the place. They also recommend reading the fine print about fees and expenses, as well as bylaws that govern everything from noise levels to acceptable outdoor plantings. There also may be restrictions on pet ownership and length of stay for visitors.

“Removing yourself from what we think of as ‘normal’ communities and putting yourself into something that is pretty artificial may be attractive to some people but not to others,’’ said Frank Caro, a fellow in the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston.

The Cochranes looked at five different communities. Betsy Cochrane fell in love with one in Kittery, Maine, but the oceanfront units, which she adored, were all sold. Then they saw the Caldwell Farm townhouses abutting a salt marsh near the Parker River.

“If not the ocean,’’ said Betsy Cochrane, “here, I could have the river.’’

The Cochranes have three daughters: two raising their own families, and their youngest, 26, in medical school. The new home, they decided, was not only close to grandchildren, but also large enough so their youngest could come home for holidays and summer.

The Cochranes said they’ve never regretted leaving their old home in Wenham. “We’re not having six martinis at night and raising hell listening to Rod Stewart,’’ said Kevin Cochrane, “but still, I must say, we’re having a very good time.’’