Colleen has worked with several senior citizens relocating to Tri Cites Washington. Most are of the standard middle class variety (like us), but more and more are coming to the Tri Cities looking for luxury senior living accommodations. Colleen has also attended seminars on senior living, as well as luxury real estate. I found a great article that cover both discussing the emergence of 'Boomer' luxury real estate retirees:
"As baby boomers age, they're demanding better options for where and how they live. In response, senior-living companies are raising the bar on the level of accommodations and activities available for seniors who can afford it. Their goal is to capture the market from the time seniors are active and ready to chuck home maintenance through their need for assistance and consistent medical care. The goal for residents and their families is to have a high-end, low-maintenance lifestyle, with assistance available when they need it, without having to relocate from all that is familiar. At least two developments planned for metro Denver aim to capture this market with projects promising the ultimate in luxury for their well-heeled customers. The Stratford at FlatIrons in Broomfield, scheduled for completion in May, and the Balfour Cosmopolitan Club in downtown Denver, expected to open in 2011, promise to raise the bar for luxurious senior living..." [read the Denver Post article]
We have many of these so called senior communities in NJ. They range from 25K all the way up to a million bucks. The idea is really for affordable housing for seniors and many communities around me in Ocean Conty New jersey offer nice sized ranch homes from 70k-300k. Its a good niche market especially with all the baby boomers turning 55 years old.
Thanks for the visit and the comment Re/Max at Barnegat Bay (whoever that is!). When we work with seniors, we are concerned for their welfare. We also concern ourselves with connecting them into the community. We do not consider seniors as a "niche" market. Having a few Grandmas over 90 has placed a responsibility to serve in our heart. :)