| Bigger, Better, Besting... | | | | can go off-road in an SUV, never mind if you never |
| The housing, automobile, media and consumers | | | | get off-road. Another hip feature, with limited real |
| products industries have catered to the evolving | | | | benefit for most consumers is the gourmet kitchen. |
| needs of the boomer generation. Products and | | | | Top line kitchens have become the most requested |
| lifestyles of all generations during their 50-60 year | | | | upgrade in housing today, even when fewer people |
| lifespan have to date targeted this generation over all | | | | cook. The key benefit to these luxuries is having the |
| others. The original Me Generation is reaching an age | | | | option to do new and exciting things. Boomers have |
| of where they have the wealth, freedom and time | | | | an appetite for the luxury of optional features. |
| to demand even more catering and luxury. This trend | | | | Besters will seek options. |
| for housing could not be any more clear, present or | | | | Boomers are entering their peak earning years, |
| apparent. Since the birth of the first boomers in | | | | childrearing expenses are behind them and they have |
| 1946, no product has been left unchanged by their | | | | more money. More money gives choices, options and |
| demands. | | | | access to better stuff. Housing is becoming more |
| Retirement housing will not remain just mediocre and | | | | option laden, and more options simply make lifestyles |
| basic. Retirement communities of mobile home parks | | | | better. People naturally seek a better retirement, of |
| with pleasant weather and simple amenities like | | | | comfort and luxury. Selecting housing that gives |
| shuffleboard are ancient history for the boomer | | | | amenities and options like gourmet kitchens, party |
| generation. They will resist retiring to a trailer park | | | | size grotto style hot tubs, equestrian centers and |
| the way they rejected an Oldsmobile station wagon | | | | rock climbing walls are valued-added by 21st century |
| in favor of an SUV (note: the Oldsmobile brand | | | | consumers. |
| retired in 1998, even after trying to sell itself as "Not | | | | The term, 'retirement' will also be reinvented by |
| your Father's Olds"). Station wagons got the job | | | | boomers. In the next 15 years 78 million U.S. |
| done, and were functionally identical to an SUV, with | | | | boomers, will "retire".this is an expert from a new |
| some slight changes. Future retirement communities | | | | book: 'Besting - Better Nesting' about important |
| will be changed in similarly slight, but exciting ways. | | | | trends in retirement and second home retirement |
| SUVs are hipper than station wagons because you | | | | housing. |