What are some good tips for searching for independent living?

I plan to sell my house in 4-5 years and my wife and I want to move into something easier to maintain and less expensive. I'm just starting the search. We have children and grandchildren in Phoenix, AZ, in Arnold, CA, in Fresno, California, and live in Galt, CA. We also have families in New Mexico, Texas, and Kentucky as well as Washington, Montana, and New Jersey. We don't like snow (except to occasionally visit) and are used to CA as we've been here for more than 25 years. We are active, go to the gym, still work and expect to live a very long time (I still write to an aunt.)