Armed with pages of downloaded information, the couple toured Ardiente's model homes during a visit last fall. They became home buyers two days later.

"I wanted to be surrounded by amenities and people. Ardiente delivers on every level," said Bobbie Witt, who sells construction equipment but looks forward to joining her husband in retirement. "I love to swim in the beautiful pools. Bob likes to play poker in the game room. The gym is unbelievable. This is it -- Ardiente is where we'll retire to when we leave New York."

As homeowners, the Witts have exclusive use of Ardiente's 13,000-square-foot community clubhouse with its pair of swimming pools, fitness center, card and billiards rooms, tennis courts and nearby putting and chipping greens. Six parks connected by trails with fitness stations define the grounds.

The community also has a guard-gated entry and 24-hour roving patrol.

"It was important for us to be in a guard-gated community, not just a gated community where four cars can enter every time the gate opens. When we're in New York, it's reassuring to know there's a gate guard doing his job and friends in the community to keep an eye on our home," Bobbie Witt said.

Their home, the Cordoba Plan, measures 1,596 square feet. The layout has two bedrooms, two full baths and a den, which buyers can opt to construct as a third bedroom. Dual walk-in closets highlight the owner's suite. A kitchen island separates the great room from the dining room, which offers access to an adjacent patio. The Witts went with a sunroom in lieu of the standard patio.

"We love how the living space flows right into our sunroom. The plan is very open and the rooms are ideally situated," Bobbie Witt said.

In addition to the Cordoba Plan, home buyers can select from seven single-story home designs that range from 1,235 to 2,813 square feet. Plans offer up to three bedrooms and as many baths. Some floor plans come with a kitchen nook, courtyard, studio, gallery or music room. Structural variations, based on home design, allow for an office, guest suite or second floor.

Standard interior features include a kitchen pantry, laundry room cabinets, raised-panel interior doors and ceiling fans in select rooms. Cultured marble vanities, a Roman tub, separate shower stall and chrome fixtures are among the master bath highlights. Security alarm prewiring is included. Homes bear the Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star seal of approval.

Prices start in the $250,000s. Educators, health care providers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel as well as active, reserve, retired and veteran military members can take advantage of Centex incentives designed especially for them.

To visit, take Interstate 15 and exit Craig Road west. Turn right on Losee Road, then right on Ann Road, which turns into Tropical Parkway. Turn right on Walnut Road and proceed to the sales office. From Interstate 215, the Las Vegas Beltway, exit south on Losee, turn left on Tropical, then right on Walnut. Model homes are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 651-1051 or visit activeadultcentex.com.