Still Working? Why Kissing Tree Doesn’t Wait for Retirement

You’re not retired yet. Maybe you’re not even close. But you’ve started thinking about what the next chapter looks like, and the idea of waiting until 65 to make a move doesn’t quite fit how you live now.

If you’ve been researching 55+ communities near Austin, you’ve probably noticed something. Most of them are built for the day you stop working, not the years leading up to it. That’s where Kissing Tree is different.

Located in San Marcos, Texas, Kissing Tree is an active adult community designed for people 55 and better, whether they’re fully retired, working from home, commuting a few days a week, or somewhere in between. Someday starts today, and for many of our neighbors, today still includes a Monday morning meeting.

This guide walks through why so many still-working buyers are choosing Kissing Tree before they retire, and what makes it possible to live the life you want now without putting your career on pause.

Why “Active Adult” Doesn’t Mean “Retired”

The phrase “55+ community” still carries an outdated assumption: that everyone living there has stopped working. The reality has shifted significantly over the past decade.

More Americans are working past traditional retirement age, often by choice. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of adults 55 and older who are still working has climbed steadily over the past two decades. Some are running their own businesses. Others are scaling back to part-time consulting. Many are working full-time from home thanks to remote arrangements that didn’t exist a generation ago.

Kissing Tree is built for that reality. Our neighbors include real estate investors, attorneys, business owners, healthcare professionals, and corporate executives who didn’t want to wait for a retirement date to start enjoying the lifestyle they’d been working toward.

This is what we mean when we say we put the active in active adult. It’s not just about activity. It’s about agency. You decide how you spend your time, including how much of it you spend working.

Why San Marcos Works for Working Professionals

Location is a big part of why Kissing Tree fits buyers who are  still working.

San Marcos sits along the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, putting you within easy reach of two of the most dynamic job markets in Texas. Whether you commute to Austin a few days a week, fly in and out of one of the regional airports, or work remotely with occasional in-person meetings, the location works.

San Marcos has been named one of Forbes’ 25 Best Places to Retire, and the broader region continues to grow, supported by strong economic momentum across Central Texas. That growth is good news for working professionals who want access to opportunity, but it also makes timing your move worth thinking about. Lot inventory and home pricing in established active adult communities don’t get more affordable as demand grows.

The Case for Buying Before You Retire

Most people assume they’ll wait until retirement to make a community move like this. Here’s why a growing number of buyers are doing it differently.

You Lock In Today’s Pricing and Lot Selection

In a 55+ community, the best lots get claimed first. Buyers who wait often find themselves choosing from what’s left, not what they actually wanted. Buying earlier in a community’s growth cycle typically means more options when it comes to floor plan, lot location, and home customization.

You can browse current floor plans to see what’s available now. If you want something move-in ready, our Quick Move-In inventory features homes that are already built or nearly complete.

You Can Settle In Gradually

Buying a home at Kissing Tree before you retire doesn’t mean you have to move in right away. Many of our neighbors use their home as a weekend retreat for a year or two before transitioning full-time. They work their schedules around regular weekend stays, use vacation weeks to extend their time at the community, and ease into the lifestyle on their own timeline.

By the time their last day of work arrives, they aren’t moving to a new house,they’re just spending more time in the home they already love.

You Get the Lifestyle Now, Not Later

This is the part most still-working buyers underestimate. The amenities and community at Kissing Tree aren’t reserved for people who’ve stopped working. The Mix, our 20-acre amenity campus, is just as accessible on a Saturday morning as it is on a Tuesday afternoon.

Whether you want to play 18 holes, grab dinner at Tarbox & Brown, hit the pickleball courts, or sit at the resort-style pool with a book, the community is here whenever you are. For many neighbors, the home becomes a place they actively want to come back to after a workweek, not somewhere they’re waiting to live.

You Build the Community Before You Need It

Moving to a new place after retirement and trying to build a social network from scratch can be one of the harder parts of the transition. Buyers who join Kissing Tree earlier often find that by the time they’re fully settled in, they already have neighbors they know, friends they’ve made, and a sense of place that makes the shift seamless.

You can’t rush belonging. But you can give yourself a head start.

What “Still Working” Looks Like at Kissing Tree

Different residents have different versions of working, and the community supports them all.

Work Style	How Kissing Tree Fits
Full-time remote	Quiet residential setting, reliable connectivity, and a campus designed to break up the workday
Hybrid commute	Easy access to I-35 for trips to Austin or San Antonio offices, with a real home base to come back to
Part-time or consulting	Flexibility to set your own hours and use the community’s amenities throughout the week, not just on weekends
Business ownership	Floor plans with home office options and a network of similarly accomplished neighbors
Phased retirement	Room to ease into community life on your timeline, whether that takes one year or five

The point isn’t to escape work entirely. It’s to design a life where work fits into the bigger picture instead of the other way around.

Should You Wait? Here’s How to Think About It

If you’re still working and weighing whether now is the right time to make a move, ask yourself a few honest questions:

• Am I clear on the lifestyle I want, even if my work timeline isn’t fully settled?
• Would I benefit from locking in pricing and lot selection before demand increases?
• Could a weekend or seasonal residence give me a head start on community connections?
• Is my partner aligned with planning ahead rather than waiting?

Most still-working buyers we meet aren’t trying to retire faster. They’re trying to make sure that when retirement does come, the home, the location, and the community are already in place.

Come See What Working While Living the Life Looks Like

The best way to understand whether Kissing Tree fits your situation is to come visit. Walk the community, tour a few homes, and talk to current neighbors who are still working themselves. You’ll get a much clearer picture of what’s possible than any blog post can offer.

You can schedule a visit at a time that works for you, even if it’s a weekend or after a long workday. Our team is used to working with buyers who are juggling careers, and they understand that planning ahead is its own kind of strategy.

You don’t have to wait for the gold watch to start the next chapter. You just have to decide what you want it to look like.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an active adult community?

An active adult community is a residential neighborhood designed for people age 55 and better, with amenities and home features tailored to that lifestyle. Unlike traditional retirement housing, an active adult community focuses on independence, recreation, and social connection rather than care services. Residents may be retired, semi-retired, or still working full-time.

Can I live in a 55+ community if I’m still working?

Yes. The age qualification refers to the homeowner’s age, not their employment status. Many residents at active adult communities are still working full-time, running businesses, or consulting part-time. Communities like Kissing Tree are designed to support a flexible lifestyle, whether your weeks include workdays, weekends, or both.

What is the 80/20 rule in a 55 plus community?

Federal housing law allows age-restricted communities to qualify as 55 and better when at least 80 percent of occupied units have at least one resident who is 55 or older. The remaining 20 percent provides flexibility for younger spouses, family members, or other approved residents, depending on the specific community’s rules. The National Association of Home Builders offers more detail on how 55+ housing is structured.

Is it worth buying in a 55+ community before retirement?

For many buyers, yes. Purchasing earlier often means better lot selection, more floor plan options, and the ability to lock in current pricing before demand increases. It also gives you time to ease into the community on your own schedule, whether that means weekend stays, seasonal living, or remote work arrangements that let you transition gradually.

What is the best small town outside of Austin for active adults?

San Marcos is consistently ranked among the top small cities in the Austin metro area for active adult living. It offers a Hill Country setting, access to two major Texas metros, a thriving local culture, and recognition by Forbes as one of the best places to retire in the country. Communities like Kissing Tree make it especially appealing for buyers seeking lifestyle amenities and long-term value.

Is it cheaper to live in a 55+ community?

It depends on the community and how you compare costs. Active adult communities often include amenities, exterior maintenance, and services that would otherwise be paid separately, which can offset the homeowners association fee. For buyers downsizing from larger family homes, the total cost of ownership can be lower thanks to reduced upkeep, energy-efficient construction, and lifestyle features that replace separate club memberships or gym fees.

Do I have to retire to live at Kissing Tree?

No. Kissing Tree is a 55 and better active adult community, not a retirement community. Many of our neighbors are working professionals, business owners, and consultants who chose the community for its lifestyle, location, and long-term value, not because they were ready to stop working.