You're over sixty five, you're active, and you think it's time to move to a retirement community but there is one hitch; you are gay or lesbian and want to be around people like yourself. No problem, there are places to retire with people like you in mind! For years this was a huge issue for gay and lesbian retirees but it is an issue no more.
Just because a person has reached the age of sixty five and become officially recognized as a senior citizen life doesn't have to become mundane. For a long time active members of the gay and lesbian community were faced with the issue of giving up their lifestyle to enter a retirement community that catered to some of their needs but was not socially the right fit. It was not uncommon for many LGBT (Lesbian/Bisexual/Gay/Transgender) seniors to deal with discrimination when applying to senior housing including assisted living facilities. Others feared that the social climate of these living arrangements would force them back into the closet just to get in or get along. Then somebody had an idea, why not create retirement communities aimed at the gay and lesbian community?
At first it seemed like a radical idea, but as is the case with many such brainstorms it caught on and proved to be a success. Enough of a success that there are currently almost thirty such communities in the U.S. with over a dozen more in the planning and development stages. Some of the existing facilities are based on condominium or apartment style living with the addition of assisted living facilities. These are especially appealing since as a persons health needs change they can stay within the community amongst their friends while still having their special needs met. Others are communities made up of regular homes along the lines of what would be considered a subdivision. Whatever your preference and price range is there is something to fit your needs.
Socially these facilities are thriving just as any good communities would be. Some seniors comment that the idea of leaving their hometown where they had friends and support was daunting at first, but took great joy in being in an environment full of people that lived through the same times, dealt with the same issues, and of course were gay or lesbian. Dating doesn't end once an AARP card is issued and to be among people that are homosexual as well in a way spared them the idea of going through a "Coming out" phase to new friends and neighbors all over again. Many facilities are equipped with community rooms, tennis courts, pools, and every other amenity you would expect to find. Social activities like day and weekend excursions, or even large events like cruises are part of what is available for most, as well as planned social activities within the community itself.
Beyond that gay communities are thriving because it is estimated on the low end that there are over two million members of the baby boom era that are now over sixty five and looking for a place to retire with that number expected to double by the year 2030. For marketers and developers this is a very attractive segment of the market to woo as until recently the LGBT community was never catered too in such a manner. Also with a significant number of couples from the era having no children the idea of a retirement community is attractive because it keeps them surrounded by people that act as a surrogate family of sorts. The sense of care for one another in the community is in fact said to be like one very large family all living in the same neighborhood. Those that may not be able to do something on their own are aided by those who can. When someone is sick everyone pitches in to nurse them back to health in whatever way they can.
While there are many attractive points to retirement communities geared toward gay and lesbian seniors there are some downsides as well. Almost universally all residents agree it is a more than fair trade off. Homophobia still exists wherever you go and some people in the surrounding area aren't always receptive of the addition of such communities to their locality. Sometimes there are instances of vandalism or verbal harassment but the residents keep it all in perspective. No place is perfect after all.
Are gay living communities the wave of the future? It was seem as if they are. The draw of living in a non judgmental setting with other persons living under the rainbow has a great appeal to many seniors. They enjoy the sense of community and activities as well as the often great locations everywhere from Boston, to Florida, Minnesota, and New Mexico. In Fact Los Angeles was the first city to begin subsidizing senior facilities specifically aimed at the LGBT community and the trend is catching on. For investors and developers the attraction of tapping an under served demographic is beyond attractive. The simple fact is that gay retirement communities are good for the residents, and everyone involved in the process. These retirement communities are not just here and queer, but here and growing, thriving, and expanding. Don't be surprised to see one near you soon.