Many members of the baby boom generation—who are quite unique in many respects—may not opt for the traditional retirement community. In the May 7, 2009 issue of U.S. News and World Report, reporter Emily Brandon writes of her conversation with Andrew Carle, director of the assisted living/senior housing administration program at George Mason University on the future trends of retirement communities.
"The future of senior housing will be anything but cookie cutter," says Andrew Carle, director of the assisted living/senior housing administration program at George Mason University. He thinks the next generation of communities will target specific niches that cater to boomers' needs and whims. Carle identifies five unusual communities that cater to specific interests.
Campus living: Many of the fastest-growing retirement communities are located on or near college campuses. According to Carle, more than 100 university-based retirement facilities are currently open or in development. "You've got some of these alums that have been extremely loyal for 40 years, and they still go to football games and wear the sweatshirt," he says. "Now they have the opportunity to retire and spend the last years of their life there."
Feng shui: You will find one example of communities tailored to meet the needs and wants of specific cultures at Aegis Gardens in Femont, California where the focus on Chinese culture is reflected in everything they do. The retirement community is designed to be warm and inviting, with exceptional menus, thoughtfully-designed architecture and interiors, enticing activities, and caring Chinese-speaking staff.
GLBT community: At RainbowVision Santa Fe, same-sex couples are the norm: the majority of this community's 120 residents identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. "[In the LGBT community,] socialization and relatedness become important in their second 50 years, much like people in other ethnic or cultural groups," says RainbowVision's president, Joy Silver.
Retirement for country music lovers: Those who made country music their career can now make it part of their retirement. The Crescendo at Westhaven, near Nashville, is scheduled to open in 2013. The community will have a recording facility, a theater, an outdoor performance area, and a gazebo for smaller concerts. Although it's designed for retirees in the music and entertainment industry, the 180-unit facility will be open to all country music enthusiasts.
Assisted RV living: Traveling the country in an RV is a common retirement dream. But what happens when you can't or don't want to drive anymore? One group of RVers came up with a solution. The Rainbow's End RV Park in Livingston, Texas provides meals, laundry services, shopping assistance, transportation to medical appointments, help changing propane tanks, and other small maintenance projects. Residents also have access to an activity center available.
For the full US News and World Report Article “5 Next-Generation Retirement Communities” go to their website.