retirement
Zoomer Boomers Explode the Retiree Stereotype
Mention the word "retirement," and the typical image that comes to mind is that of elderly adults spending their golden years in mega-communities far from family, where the most anticipated activity is afternoon Bingo and tuning in en masse to Wheel of Fortune.
Not for us, say the first wave of retiring baby boomers. In fact, they don't even like the word "retirement." As life expectancy increases and health conscious mid-lifers stay active into their 60s and 70s, retirement is taking on a whole new look.
There's no place like home
One big surprise: Nearness to family and friends is now a primary consideration, right up there with warm, sunny climates.
According to a recent story in USA Today, while many boomers will choose to move to warmer climes when they retire, a growing number say they don't want live in huge retirement villages in distant states — they'd rather stay close to home. This new breed of retiree says year-round summers are not nearly as important as proximity to family, friends and doctors. And since a third of boomers say they'll keep working after they officially retire, they want to stay close to professional contacts.
The good life
Besides the good news that they're choosing to stay closer to family, boomers have some very specific demands of retirement. They want to live around people their age in new developments that combine suburban comforts with amenities like spas, gardens and plenty of recreational opportunities. Builders and buyers call them "active adult communities," not retirement centers.
Unlike sprawling retirement communities of the past, today's older-adult communities are more intimate — with fewer than 1,000 homes. They are also more likely to have workout areas, spa facilities and golf courses.
New developments with open floor plans and luxury touches like marble countertops and spa-like bathtubs are attracting more than just boomers. Many recent retirees in their late 50s and 60s — the youngest of the generation just preceding boomers — are also flocking to these new communities.
There's a new word to describe the boomers who demand this kind of lifestyle: "zoomers." And developers are spending millions to predict what this generation wants. Demographers say boomers are tough to pin down because they're individualistic. But with 13 million boomers retiring in the next 10 years, they're foolish if they don't.
Background Information
Ready, Set, Go?
Are you really ready for retirement?
Questions and Answers
Why do I struggle with feelings of restless discontentment during retirement when I should be reveling in happy fulfillment?
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Stories
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