 Healthy living and healthy

lifestyles are becoming tried and

true priorities amongst active
families who seek to increase
their quality of life. As such,
healthy communities or at least
the idea and principles of living in
a healthy community is a trend
whose popularity has been
steadily increasing.
 Perhaps it’s because of an increasing
awareness of what it means to be healthy or
just the knowledge that communities who
display healthy characteristics often have
fantastic amenities that complement and
help sustain such a lifestyle. If you’re one of
these people searching for such a
community but don’t know where to start,
here are the top defining characteristics of a
healthy community. This way, you can make
the best decision for your family’s health
and wellness.
 Defining characteristics of a healthy
community
 Below are five of the characteristics of
a healthy community that are most
important to fostering a fit and
wellness centered lifestyle. These
factors that benefit the residents of
these communities and give them the
ability to pursue a higher overall level
of health and well-being.
 Education and health go hand in hand. Those
who pursue a higher level of education have
longer lifespans and often experience a higher
quality of life than their peers. Being close to
schools in the area gives parents an ecosystem
which will help teach their children the
foundational concepts of healthy living. Having a
school that reinforces health education is a
powerful tool for a parent to have when they are
trying to raise their children to be mindful of
their food choices and activity levels.
 It’s also very important for a healthy community to be part
of its natural environment. To some degree, this is a
matter of sheer practicality – those communities more in
tune with the natural environment tend to have less access
to harmful substances and are less likely to be impacted
by the pollution of nearby areas. Being part of the natural
surroundings also offers benefits of a less concrete nature,
by allowing residents a chance to feel closer to nature and
more removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life. One
great example of this principle in action is the seamless
blending of the Vistancia community into the neighboring
Sonoran desert. For example, the winding 3.5 mile
Discovery Trail allows families of Vistancia to explore the
unique beauty and serenity of the desert environment
while also having the opportunity to spend time outside
and exercise in a natural desert surrounding.
 It’s also very important for a healthy community to be
part of its natural environment. To some degree, this
is a matter of sheer practicality – those communities
more in tune with the natural environment tend to
have less access to harmful substances and are less
likely to be impacted by the pollution of nearby areas.
Being part of the natural surroundings also offers
benefits of a less concrete nature, by allowing
residents a chance to feel closer to nature and more
removed from the hustle and bustle of daily life. One
great example of this principle in action is the
seamless blending of the Vistancia community into
the neighboring Sonoran desert. For example, the
winding 3.5 mile Discovery Trail allows families of
Vistancia to explore the unique beauty and serenity
of the desert environment while also having the
opportunity to spend time outside and exercise in a
natural desert surrounding.
 It should be taken as a given that healthy
communities have access to great healthcare
facilities. In fact, access to medical facilities
can serve multiple purposes, from providing
life-saving treatments to the ill to allowing
residents better access to preventative
treatments. Healthy communities are as much
about having immediate access to the
modern medical amenities that will keep
them healthy as they are about providing an
environment that provides for better overall
preventative health.
 Access to healthy food is also very important
for any health-conscious community. If you
take a look at Vistancia, for example, you’ll
see retailers like Sprouts Safeway, and Fry’s
Marketplace nearby the community. . These
grocers all have dedicated areas for high
quality, organic food. Having access to
healthy food allows residents to make better
dietary choices, which in turn allows them to
stay healthier and live longer. For a
community to be truly healthy, access to
healthy food is a must.
 Fitness and wellness opportunities are often
foundational amenities for a health minded
community. It’s important that residents not need to
venture far to get daily exercise. Communities like
Vistancia have a variety of options available, ranging
from the ever-present golf courses, recreation
centers, pools, parks, and walking trails. The best
communities in Peoria are also close to natural
features that encourage outdoor play and fitness.
Wellness doesn’t just mean exercise, though – it also
means access to like-minded individuals who will
provide support and even motivation. From workout
groups to healthy cooking classes, these wellness
opportunities allow residents to better their own
personal health routines.