Modular Home Communities, sometimes referred to as Mobile Home Parks, are a popular form of retirement living. Generally you own your own modular, or "mobile" home (which is not at all that mobile) and rent the lot or space on which it is located. In some parks the lot is owned by the community association and then "owned in common" by all of the home owners.

Whether a renter of the lot and the home, or an owner of one or both, residents have all the home services found in stick-built homes:

• Trash pickup
• Water
• Gas and/or Electric
• Cable (in newer parks)
• Sewer, amenities

If the park is age restricted (probably at 55+) there are usually amenities available. These may be paid for or supported by either the monthly lot rental fee, or in a Community Association payment.

A Modular Home Communities, or an older Mobile Home Park may be a NORC (Naturally Occuring Retirement Community). That means it was not originally age restricted, but over time evolved to reach the point where 80% of its resident population is over 55. If the community then meets the HUD regulations for age restriction they can become an age restricted "senior, or adult" community, and advertise as such.

Modular home resort communities recently built for those 55 and older are most often found in the sun belt. Residents, as owners or renters, may consider the community their primary, or only home. Sometimes, they may live in the community for a few months, living elsewhere the rest of the year. Many "snowbirds" from the upper mid-west and the north east follow this pattern of living. They spend winter months in Modular or Mobile Home Parks in Florida during the winter months. Canadians are significantly evident as winter residents of modular resort communities in the Coachella Valley and the high desert of California and in Arizona. In fact the three month limit for HMO's covering members while away and the 90 day out of the country limit Canadian health coverage limits the high season for many parks in the sun belt that have brutally hot or humid summers.

Snowbirds can find lower total costs for vacations or winter housing in Modular or Mobile Home Communities than in other forms of housing available short term. The greater affordability of this type of rental, short term, is a way for seniors to "try before they buy". They test both the Modular Community concept and the City or region as a relocation spot. For many, on a long term rental or purchase it is just a more affordable and/or more desirable way of life.

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