S
EVENTY-SIX MILLION STRONG, baby boom-
ers (widely defi ned as those born between 1946 and
1964) have the assets and plans to select a very spe-
cifi c lifestyle and location for retirement. Surveys
done by AARP and Merrill Lynch reveal defi nite
trends retirement communities must follow to at-
tract boomers as they retire. The most requested are
■ communities with a campus-like at- eastern and southwestern U.S. Keep- standard model, or community and
mosphere and separate living space; ing up with the demand for more golf fees. Most provide fi nancing for
■ living space that is freestanding diverse, boomer-friendly amenities, a 30-year fi xed mortgage with 20
and spacious (an average of 2,500 these communities now include such percent down at signing. Commu-
square feet); perks as gourmet restaurants, water nity fees vary by location and size of
■ active lifestyle amenities that parks, sports teams, yoga gardens, and a home and range from $70 to $300
provide sports, recreation, lifelong state-of-the-art fi tness centers. a month. An initial payment of one
learning, and social activities; Some communities are only year’s dues is collected on move-in.
■ mixed communities that blend re- for those 55 and over; others are Homes in Arizona and Nevada
tirees and families; blended communities, with no age communities range from 1,400
■ communities outside the Sunbelt’s restrictions. Community buy-in square feet to more than 4,000
traditional retirement hot spots; prices vary by location and usually square feet, with prices ranging
■ aging-friendly designs that allow do not include lot premiums for cer- from $250,000 to $650,000, depend-
owners to “age in place”; tain locations, upgrades beyond the ing on square footage and location.
■ comprehensive medical care and
services as part of the community or
nearby; and
■ continuing access to technology.
Boomer retirees select a com-
munity based on a variety of factors,
including income and savings, loca-
tion, and individual needs. There
are communities for high-income
seniors, moderate-income seniors,
and military retirees, as well as
lifestyle-specifi c communities,
aging-in-place neighborhoods, and
campus-affi liated developments.
Large communities incorporat-
ing homes, shopping, recreation, and
amenities began to appear in 1999 and
still are being built today in the most
popular retirement areas of the south-
80 MILITARY OFFICER SEPTEMBER 2009 PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK
SSept_Tailor.indd
80ept_Tailor.indd 80 88/4/09 7:44 PM/4/09 7:44 PM
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