Specialty Communities Just the Thing for Seniors
The elder population is growing, and along with it a variety on niche developments that cater to the group’s super-specific lifestyles
By Patricia Rivera
CTW Features
Silver spokes: Be it activities or backgrounds, seniors “want to be part of something that lets them band together to create the type of environment that’s right for them,” says one senior-housing pro.
Environmentally conscious lesbians looking for a retirement community can turn to Birds of a Feather outside Santa Fe, N.M. Hippies in their senior years who want to live in self-sufficient community can head to Rocinante in Summertown, Tenn. Indo-Americans who want to speak the Gujarathi language and enjoy food from that culture can move to Bharat Vilas in Okemos, Minn.
The niche senior-housing market is growing and slowly embracing seniors from all walks of life as they decide to move into communities with like-minded peers.
“They’re coming out here because they want to be part of something that lets them band together to create the type of environment that’s right for them,” says Stephen Gaskin, founder of Rocinante.
Over the last decade, communities for seniors age 55 and older have cropped up across the United States in large numbers. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the market will continue to expand and diversify as the 50-plus population grows to 76.6 million (24.5 percent of the population) in 2010 to 85.6 million (26.3 percent) in 2014.
A survey conducted by active-adult builder Del Webb Corp., Bloomfield Hills, Mich., found that approximately 50 percent of baby boomers plan to purchase new a home for their retirement in place where they can enjoy lifestyles that allow them to remain physically fit and socially active.
Often referred to as active-adult communities, the first round of these master-planned developments featured many amenities that older adults want to stay active – golf courses, nature trails, spas and social hubs. They’re a real hit for older adults who’d rather forgo tiresome chores, such as mowing the lawn, but still want an active lifestyle.
Increasingly, older adults are demanding as much intellectual stimulation as recreation. At Festival, a Del Webb community near Phoenix, a big draw is the classes offered in partnership with Arizona State University.
Often socialization at these developments excludes people under the age of 55. Many communities fall into one of two categories: age-restricted or age-targeted. Age-restricted communities don’t allow resident under the age of 19 for longer than 90 days
“They’ve raised their kids – now they want to focus on themselves,” says Klaus Rohrich, owner of Maturity Marketing Inc. in New York.
The newer specialized communities appeal to seniors with very defined interests and lifestyles. They can be spotted across the landscape, even far from the Sun Belt, where builders once targeted senior communities. Because grass-roots organizers sometimes erect them, prices may be lower than those built by commercial builders.
Rocinante, the Tennessee commune, requires residents to help each other build a home. As they age, they’re also responsible for taking care of each other, Gaskin says.
Often, these highly targeted communities are started by a small group of people with a vision. Gaskin, for instance, saw a need among people who did not have savings for some of the more upscale communities that cater to seniors. He also knew that too many seniors aged alone.
Values vary from community to community. Bharat Vilas hold eight wings. Each caters to a particular group within the Indo-American community. It features both individual homes, as well as single bedrooms within a main house.
Cecilia Richardson, a senior housing specialist in Pleasanton, Calif., helps families determine the best place for retirement. Although the active, niche communities have many amenities, they also are criticized for isolating seniors.
“Many people don’t realize that they’re also very cliquish,” says the Richardson, who directs the referral service Senior Living Solutions. Adults who have struggled all their lives to socialize will still have to make the effort to make friends and join groups, she says. Age itself will not automatically make everyone bond.
She also suggests that seniors look into the future to determine if a community where they can enjoy certain activities for the next few years will serve them in the long run when they have more health-related needs.
On the other hand, Richardson adds that niche communities can allow seniors to develop very deep relationships.
“They help seniors keep their skills sharp with many activities that really interest them,” she says.
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