The Trend Is Clear: Boomers Prefer an Urban Retirement

For anyone involved in the senior housing industry, the recent uptick in media coverage has been remarkable. From the PBS NewsHour segment on senior homesharing, to the New York Times article on elderly New Yorkers being priced out of the city, there is clearly a growing awareness of the insufficiency of our nation’s senior housing stock.

A recurring theme in most of these articles is the emerging preference for an urban retirement, especially among the Baby Boomer generation. This new generation of seniors is finding that the traditional approach to retirement – epitomized by sprawling suburban developments centered around golf courses – just doesn’t meet their needs. Aging Boomers want to remain active and engaged in retirement, and they want to be immersed in the cultural vibrancy and diversity of the city.

For anyone planning a sustainable retirement lifestyle in the Bay Area, Oakland and Phoenix Commons have a lot to offer. The New York Times recently recognized Oakland as “Brooklyn by the Bay,” with a creative energy unmatched anywhere else in the region. Jingletown, the neighborhood where Phoenix Commons is being built, is a great example of this renaissance, with its walkable waterfront location, quirky art studios, new residential developments, and easy access to surrounding areas.

But don’t just take our word for it! Come visit Jingletown, take a stroll along the estuary, and talk to the people who live there. Walk across the Park Street Bridge into Alameda, and see how close you are to hundreds of shops and restaurants. You’ll quickly discover why so many older adults are choosing Oakland for a new approach to retirement living.