Retirement Living: Boomer Retirees

by Gnanse Nelson

An untold number of plans, commissioned studies and political discussions have pontificated on how the northshore can best move forward and thrive in the aftermath of Katrina. One idea out there might provide the economic development opportunity many are seeking, without compromising the aspects of our environment that we all hold dear. It provides a powerful economic engine, doesn’t compromise natural resources, treasures quality-of-life measures, gravitates to cultural opportunities, takes advantage of higher education options and invests in quality healthcare.

Three words—baby boomer retirees!

Why? Consider that those born between the years 1946 and 1964 are the largest demographic of our society. Every seven seconds, another baby boomer gets his or her AARP card. Retirees pay more in taxes. Eighty percent own their own homes. They hold more than 75 percent of the nation’s financial assets and eighty percent of the nation’s savings. They receive more than thirty percent more in income than other groups and account for more than forty percent of consumer demand. Their presence creates new jobs, thereby improving the economy. Retirees give more than twice the amount to charity than their younger counterparts—and they volunteer more. Along with a higher voter turnout, they are more involved within their communities.

These are not your grandmother’s retirees, either. These are the baby boomers, after all: the flower children of the 1960s, who have always lived life on their own terms and continue to do so. They are rocking, to be sure. But instead of in the rocking chair, it’s more than likely to a Rolling Stones CD.

Living by their own terms, these baby boomer retirees are influencing the next generation of housing choices. The compelling nature of these retirees is creating the interesting development choices that offer something for just about everyone.

When Slidell developer Pat Miramon went on a retiree fact-finding mission a few years ago, he was shocked to see the way the market was evolving. His answer was La Chenier, an active adult community with minimum age requirements and the gorgeous backdrop of the Honey Island Swamp.

Also in Slidell, the community of Lakeshore Estates offers waterfront living in a carefree environment. Spacious town homes feature boat slips off the back porch for the avid fisherman or boater. Often it is the lifestyle preference that determines which community will provide the best fit.

A round of golf may be a retirement stereotype, but golf communities have flourished with all types of homebuyers. Retirees can now enjoy the best of the golf community lifestyle without having a 5,000-square-foot home to manage. As George McClure, developer of the Bedico Creek community, says, “Our Garden Villa residents want to be able to lock the door and walk away for a vacation without worry.” Because retirees form a well-traveled group, expectations of what a home should be like are very specific. The maintenance must be low, but the ceilings high, and the living areas should feel much as they did in their previous homes. Having dinner at the club with neighbors is a plus, as is being able to play a round of golf with your grandson.

In fact, it is often grandchildren who determine the location of a retiree’s dream house. Many of the people moving into the garden homes Ron and Nancy Lee are building in Natchez Trace chose it for its location, near thriving communities such as Arbor Walk and Tchefuncta Club Estates. (Arbor Walk also offers garden homes and Tchefuncta’s expansion later this year will include a garden home community with golf course views.) Dinner with the grandchildren is an easy option.

These garden homes offer other attractive ammenities as well. “The homeowners’ association handles lawn maintenance and takes care of any general repairs,” Nancy Lee notes.

Countryside Gardens builder Gary Salathe of Alternative Design/Build Group has been designing homes for retirees almost exclusively for eight years. He notes, “After owning many homes during their lifetime they know exactly what works for them, and what doesn’t.” The challenge is to accomplish their design needs in such a way that is flexible enough to change with their lifestyle or those of a subsequent homebuyer. “We learned that you had better be prepared for the ‘I want what I want’ mantra of this group and be as organized as they typically are!”

Some retirees opt for a long-range choice. Christwood, a Covington continuing care community, offers an active, independent lifestyle in apartments or cottages, while providing transitional options when more care is needed. The sense of community has a strong impact on the quality of life.

Mining for “gray gold”

The big question is: How in this Post-K environment do we attract new retirees to the northshore as well as retain the ones already here? How do we, as Governor Kathleen Blanco describes it, “mine for gray gold?”

Two local groups have been working toward that goal for some time. The objective of The East Florida Parishes Retirement District and Retire St. Tammany is to bring the northshore and all that it offers to the attention of its target audience here and nationwide.

With a mild climate all year, diverse recreational opportunities, proximity to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, life-long learning opportunities, state-of-the-art health care, a relatively low cost of living, a generous homestead exemption, diversity of communities—be it rural or city life that one desires—a military-friendly environment and the financial strength of the area, the northshore clearly stands out as an inviting, exciting and viable retirement destination.

Our neighboring states of Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi have all realized the positive impact of targeting retirees. The entire northshore can benefit greatly in numerous ways by making a concerted effort to bring our area and its many attributes to the attention of soon-to-be retirees.

It is to be hoped that our local elected officials, business leaders and community as a whole will appreciate the undeniable and significant role that retirees can play in this area’s rebuilding equation and embrace this untapped market and heretofore-unmatched opportunity for clean, economic growth.

And here’s the kicker—these baby boomers, these flower-children-turned- responsible-adults, are expected to begin retiring in large numbers in 2008. Perfect timing for the northshore.