2023 Trend #9 Walkable Affordable Boomer Living

By 2030, All Baby Boomers Will Be Age 65 or Older

Baby boomers, born from 1946 to 1964, have changed the face of the U.S. population for more than 70 years and continue to do so as more enter their senior years. At an estimated 73 million, this generation is the second-largest age group after their children, the millennials, born from 1982 to 2000.

Many boomers want to give up owning a car, live where their location has a high walkability score and cut living costs by living in smaller, energy-efficient homes.

Some features that home builders and remodelers are seeing as they begin to cater to the boomers.

• Home Offices: Some boomers are choosing to work past the age of 65. As they transition from a traditional 9-to-5 job, however, they want home offices for flexibility.
• Tech/Media Centers: The tech-savvy boomer generation wants top-of-the-line amenities for their homes such as a media room with surround sound and central control systems
• Wider Doors and Hallways: As a person ages, there is a likelihood that use of a wheelchair might become a necessity. Designing a home that is livable now but can transition and be functional as the occupant ages is important in ensuring that the home will be a good long-term investment.
• Better Lighting/Bigger Windows: To accommodate this, builders are adding more windows and making them larger to let in more natural light. They are also adding more light fixtures in areas including under cabinets and in stairwells.
• First-Floor Bedrooms and Bathrooms: More than 40% of new homes have master suites downstairs, a 15% increase over a decade ago. Boomers not wishing to go up and down stairs with bad knees and aching backs have helped fuel this trend. The bedrooms also are also larger, with more spacious walk-in closets and bathrooms that have a separate tub and shower and dual sinks.
• Easy to Maintain Exteriors/Landscaping: When they retire and decide to move, they opt for a maintenance-free community. Lawns are being replaced with living patios, decorative landscaping, or flower beds which can be a hobby for gardening enthusiasts.
• Flex Space: A space that flexes with their needs as they get older.  To serve as a hobby room, library, media room, or play area for the grandchildren.