These days your retirement years can equal more than one-third of your adult life, and more than that should you opt for early retirement. As for sitting in a rocking chair watching the world go by, forget it. Retirees these days are regarded as some of the most active and happy people in the world.

Experts say living a happy, active retirement doesn't simply happen. It requires planning. There are many things to consider, such as where will I live? Will the climate be nice? Will there be people who I can relate to and be friends with? Are there enough activities and things to do? How is the housing market? Will I get value for my retirement dollar?

Clearly getting the most out of this one-third of your adult life takes planning and some research. Thanks to the Internet it's easier than ever to "visit" retirement communities and learn about the climate, the economy, the history and available recreational activities without leaving your home.

Many people, after researching the possibilities, choose to live in retirement communities such as Green Valley, Arizona. Green Valley, rated consistently as one of America's great retirement towns, is comfortable with clean quiet streets, real neighborhoods, modern medical facilities, 300+ days of sunshine a year and breathtaking mountain views. More importantly though (unless you take Mr. Webster's definition of retirement to heart) people find Green Valley is very exciting and extremely friendly. There are six 18-hole championship golf courses in town and another 18 courses less than one hour away. The Green Valley phone book lists residents by name and, with folks from every state in the Union living there, by hometown! There are active neighborhood associations in the town of over 20,000. Tucson and the University of Arizona's cultural season are only 30 minutes away.

What's more, the cost of living in Green Valley is much lower-up to 20 percent lower-than in most parts of the country, adding even more value to a home purchase.

To begin your retirement research and planning you can start in Green Valley by calling Joan Weaver at the town's principal home builder, Fairfield Homes at 1-800-528-4930. They offer a unique retirement research method called Vacation Villas; where you can vacation at special rates to sample Green Valley. They will also send you a free video and any other information you want.

Or you can get more information the old fashioned way and write to P.O. Box 587/Green Valley, AZ 85622-0587. (NAPSI)