For past generations, a retirement dream home meant proximity to the shuffleboard court.
Not anymore. Increasingly, older adults choose to embark on new careers or continued education — and they’re seeking residences that facilitate those vibrant lifestyles. About 3.5 million boomer households moved last year, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. “Before you think about the home you want, it’s important to envision the life you want,” says Nancy Fernandez Mills, co-author of Boomers! Funding Your Future in an Age of Uncertainty and co-host of the PBS series “Boomers! Redefining Life After Fifty.” Consider these quality-of-life criteria, designed to help pinpoint the ideal base camp for the next phase of your journey. Continuing education: Join the growing ranks of 50-plus Americans heading back to school — but not to seek career advancement. “My wife was very excited because there’s a school of ministry in Charlotte she’s always wanted to attend,” Harris says. “She’s going to take a one-year course there, but isn’t pursuing it as a profession.” Look for schools nearby with a robust continuing education program, like the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (formerly the Third Age University) at University of Texas at Austin.
Chicago Sun-Times
Quality-of-life Criteria Determines Boomers’ Next Move
(Nov. 2)
