In the last article, we talked about cohousing, a model of an intentional community that originated in Denmark and is now taking hold around the U.S. A more familiar way to form community is to share a home with one or more roommates. We usually think of roommates in the context of housing for younger people just starting out in life – college dorms, young executive shared apartments and the like.
But the same impulses that drive young people to share housing also influence adults, especially older adults, especially those entering the last chapter of their lives. Sharing a home makes financial sense, may permit people to live in a better neighborhood and, most importantly, it provides companionship and a feeling of comfort and safety.
A new incarnation of an older form of shared housing, is now becoming a significant option for single baby boomers and modern resources are being utilized to facilitate these couplings. Two Web sites: nationalsharedhousing.org and goldengirlsnetwork.com promote and advance shared housing and provides the resources to bring compatible people together.
The Golden Girls Network is named after the popular and very funny TV series The Golden Girls, which featured four older women sharing a Florida home, each with her own bedroom. The hilarious happenings illustrated that the shared home could add both sugar and spice to a lonely widow’s existence, with the constant comings and goings of boyfriends and neighbors in the mix. The shared home for two or three or four or more is preferable certainly to an anonymous assisted living facility and is extremely affordable for many seniors. One electric bill, one Internet and TV bill, etc. make living in an expensive neighborhood possible where it would be otherwise totally out of reach for a single retiree.
Both of the Web sites mentioned seem to cater to older women, though there is absolutely no reason why men cannot participate. The shared house with both men and women occupants could be something men might grow to warm to, especially when they realize shared cooking comes with the territory.
People with large empty homes they love and don’t want to leave can advertise on the Web sites mentioned for potential roommates. Folks seeking housing in a particular locale may search this list of offerings. The sites are becoming so popular that the sites do, or will soon have, a network of affiliates in many states, providing facilitation and matching services.
As the number of senior citizens continues to mushroom – there are some 77 million in this category – housing for seniors is about to hit crunch time. Though many prefer to live independently, it can be awfully lonely without a partner and a contemporary to share the highs and lows of daily life. How comforting to know that someone is coming home, even if it is someone who starts out as a stranger. Alert buttons, be gone; my housemate will be home to find me! The benefits of shared homes are many and we will surely see this phenomenon grow in years to come. What a wonderful new way to make new friends and live in the community.
Del Phillips is a California Licensed Real Estate agent. He is a member of the National, California and San Diego Association of Realtors. You can reach Del at Ascent Real Estate at 619-298-6666 or at Del@DelPhillips.com DRE LIC #01267333.
Im looking a Room