| In just a few short years and for the first time ever, | | | | We have been made more aware of the |
| a very large proportion of the North American | | | | environmental need to 'cut down' our energy intake. |
| population will all be over 55 years old. The figure is | | | | The final awareness perhaps came when the price of |
| quoted as high as 85 million by 2014. The face of | | | | gas went so sky high that we all realized we could |
| consumerism will be markedly changed as markets | | | | become a slave to our energy bills! |
| tap into the profits to be made from the 'silver' dollar. | | | | Another factor is the unspoken acceptance that we |
| One of the up-coming popular changes we are seeing | | | | are all more vulnerable to violence as we age. A |
| is the popularity of the 55+ communities and Florida | | | | gated community will deflect most of this |
| is, of course, leading the way. These communities are | | | | vulnerability. Some even offer a care facility so that |
| usually gated and some even operate like | | | | as residents age they may still stay in the same |
| independent villages inside the gates. | | | | facility as their friends. |
| Is their popularity due to the fact that people of one | | | | Finally, the fun factor: it is convenient to have jogging |
| age group prefer to be gathered together or is it | | | | pathways, fitness facilities, tennis courts and dance |
| because they are gated? Is it a security choice or a | | | | nights all within walking distance, and this draws many |
| social choice? | | | | new residents in. |
| How much part does the many desirable amenities | | | | What are the different options of 55+ communities? |
| that are also gathered within these gates also play in | | | | There are rental options only, for instance in the |
| the choice?The factors involved in the increase of | | | | snowbird communities of the warm south and there |
| 55+ communities can be divided loosely into four | | | | are also 'buy only' communities. Many of the 55 + |
| areas: need, cost, safety and recreation. | | | | communities also offer a mix of residential sales, |
| The need factor is based on a practical need for less | | | | rentals and long term parking spots for your RV. |
| room. Housing developers are becoming more aware | | | | One thing is for sure, senior's communities are no |
| that smaller properties are coming into demand. As | | | | longer viewed as a place to slow down - in fact just |
| land and building materials rise in cost, larger homes | | | | the opposite is true! Statistics point to the fact that |
| become less affordable. | | | | people are moving into these communities even |
| The fact that there are many baby boomers whose | | | | earlier than before, and often couples move in |
| children have all fled the nest means that there is a | | | | together instead of the traditional singles only |
| big demand from that section of society for a smaller | | | | registration. |
| home. Most of the homes in the 55+ communities | | | | Some communities even run fetes that double as |
| are noticeably smaller than average. | | | | 'open days' and the events become tri-generational |
| Cost does not only refer to the rising cost of land | | | | family affairs reminiscent of the old style street |
| and the rising numbers of people wanting land, but | | | | parties! Are 55+ communities really something |
| also to the cost of running a home. Recently we | | | | 'modern' or are they just a nostalgic return to the 'old |
| have all been subjected to an endless dialogue of | | | | ways' of village life? |
| solar heating arguments and 'green' reasoning. | | | | |