By Jan Cullinane
According to the U.S Census, almost three million gays and lesbians turned 55 in 2005; by 2010 that number will be closer to four million – and these are probably conservative numbers. Many gays, lesbians, bisexual, and transgender people feel that a traditional active-adult community or other communities may not welcome them.
Gays and lesbians often do not have the support systems that heterosexuals do, such as children who may care for them as they age, or living with a partner who can oversee their care. They may also have concerns about discrimination, isolation, and the need to hide their sexual orientation.
To serve this growing market, a number of gay/lesbian retirement communities are now open, being developed, or have been proposed. Some examples:
The Palms of Manasota (www.palmsofmanasota.com or 941-722-5858) is in Palmetto, Florida, between Sarasota and St. Petersburg. As its website states, it is “America’s first gay and lesbian retirement community.” New villas are available for under $300,000, and a resale of a single-family home lists for $325,000. Future plans include a clubhouse, pool, and an assisted-living facility.
The Resort on Carefree Boulevard (www.resortoncb.com or 239-731-6366), for women only, is located in Fort Myers, Florida. The community has 278 manufactured homes and RV sites. Although not an age-targeted community, the residents’ ages range from 40 – 85. Lots start under $100,000, and manufactured homes under $200,000. The Resort’s developers, Gina Razete and Cathy Groene, are developing Carefree Cove (www.carefreecove.com or 336-385-1136), a gay and lesbian community of 90 single- family homes in Zionville, NC.
RainbowVision Santa Fe (www.rainbowvisionprop.com or 505-474-9696) had its official ribbon cutting in October 2005. Although it’s touted as a resort retirement community, there is no age restriction, and assisted living care will be available at this 146- unit neighborhood. Amenities include concierge service, a spa/fitness center, dining facilities, and meeting rooms. The 60 condos have been sold; monthly rentals for the independent and assisted-living residences range from $2,600 to $4,100. According to Joy Silver, CEO/President of RainbowVision Properties, RainbowVision Palm Springs will be their next community.
Birds of a Feather (www.flock2it.com or 888-425-3121) is located in Pecos, New Mexico, about 25 miles southeast of Santa Fe. Lot sizes from one-fourth to approximately one acre in this 140-acre community run between $60,000 and $110,000. Custom homes prices per square foot range from $170 to $250, and pre-designed 1,620 square-foot casitas begin under $300,000 (lot prices not included).
Additional proposed communities/developers include:
GL Eldercare (Los Angeles)
Open House (San Francisco)
Oaks at Fountaingrove (Santa Rosa, CA)
Stonewall Communities (Boston)
Our Town (Peter Lundberg, developer).
GLARP
We’ve all heard of AARP, but did you know there is also GLARP (Gay and Lesbian Association of Retiring Persons, Inc.)? The purpose of this organization is “to develop and operate retirement communities that are openly LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) friendly and to promote, provide and support education on aging.” Founded in 1996, GLARP is also planning its own CCRC (continuing care retirement community) in Palm Springs, CA, where residents can age in place – moving from independent living to assisted care to skilled nursing care if necessary. The site also provides information about existing and developing LGBT retirement communities. You can contact GLARP through its website (www.gaylesbianretiring.org) or 310-709-8743.
One last thought
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination – anyone who desires to live in a gay-friendly setting is welcome in any of these communities! <<
Jan Cullinane is the co-author of The New Retirement: The Ultimate Guide to the Rest of Your Life (Rodale).
Gay and Lesbian Retirement Resources
Gay and Lesbian Retirement Communities
Gay and Lesbian Retirement Housing
If you enjoyed this article, read:
Shared Living Meets the Needs of Gay Seniors
Being Gay and Lesbian and Past 50
Boomer Women and their Financial Future
Homophobia in Retirement Homes: A Roundtable Discussion
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My partner and I would love to live in a community where we are the majority for once in our life. To be able to hold hands without the stares or glares.
The choices that are available are few. We are both in our 50′s and have been together for over 20 years.
We are looking for a safe lesbian community.
Idealy the community would include on-site health care and 24-hour security. As we all continue on our life journey it would be great to stay in one place and have our needs for health care or other personal assistance be available.
We’d like to have cultural and athletic events, social and recreational activities.
Public transportation would be a priority as we prefer not to drive.
A dog park and run would be nice.
We are looking toward living in the mid to northern east coast.
All we are asking is, “How about a place to retire equal to heterosexuals.”
There must me ‘millions’ of us looking for this type of living arrangement.
Let’s get a dialog started, please.
A & E
Hi
We agree so whole heartedly with your thoughts that we are in the midst of opening exactly that!
OK, not in USA but in Bali, a wonderful island with beautiful people……………..and the cost of living is cheap.
F & T
Here’s another one close to Portland, OR:
http://rainbowvista.com/
Annie,
We are looking for exacting the same thing – everything that i’ve found is so expensive – where are the areas for us “normal” income LGBT supposed to go
Where can us “normal income” LGBT folks retire? Some consideration might be given to Galveston, TX. Property prices on Galveston Island have a wide range. Small beachfront condos with ocean views can be purchased for less than 100k. Homes in a new Seaside Florida-style community on the beach are less than a million (expensive, yes, but compared to other similar places, not so much).
The town is gay-friendly and has a welcoming arts community. Parts of the town look like Key West. There are good beaches and so-so beaches. It’s 40-mile close proximity to Houston offers big-city services. The climate is mild in the winter and cooler in the summer than areas on the Texas mainland.
I live in the Dallas area (300 miles north of Galveston) but have owned a condo in Galveston for 6 years and have never regretted making the purchase. Now 55, I am looking forward to a permanent move to Galveston Island.
Fort Lauderdale Florida is a very gay friendly community. I am very obviously gay by the way I dress and am comfortable wherever I go in the eastern section of Broward County. Wilton Manors, a neighboring town, is very well known as a gay destination. Housing ranges from affordable apartments to grand villas and businesses and healthcare providers cater to our being comfortable and accepted with them. I’m content here and only the tourists gawk and go home a little more cosmopolitan. Fort Lauderdale, where the boys are and the girls play.
I have been aware of the need for retiremnet options for women for more than two decades. Now I have a plan and intend to spend the next 10-15 years to make it happen.
I am building a women-only retirement village in Costa Rica where there is no military, constitutionally guaranteed free water and equality for queers. This village of 1500 units will thrive and be a haven for women who have little to retire on. SilkCity Costa Rica is unique in that it includes six profitable, well-conceived cottage industries where women will have options to work. In addition, the profits will used to offset the cost of retirement housing. And you get to live in a nature-rich country with a 95% literacy rate, ideal climate, and modern, affordable healthcare.
Please visit my website http://www.silkcitycostarica.com
and feel free to respond, ask questions or invest in our first cottage industry, SilkCity B&B.
Planning retirement tours for April, 2010
Retire places cost way to much. Some people and going to get super rich of a few of us.
The deal is, that a few folks with some bucks and a heart should pool their money together, and build something real affordable.
California Gold Properties has a newly constructed complex for Senior….62+ My uncle owns it and he’s a great landlord (nice guy too). We encourage LBGT folks to come and see the facility. Close to everything and don’t pay the high Palm Spring prices by living in Palm Desert!
73582 Catalina Way, Palm Desert CA
Newly constructed one bedroom apts/ washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, internet wireless access, window blinds and carpeting. Elevator to 2nd floor and covered parking. Some units are available for senior section 8.
Rental $900.00 Ask about move in specials for LGBT seniors.
Contact my mom: Jewel 760-218-6910 or 760-610-2426
thanks -
kay
Would like to know where are the Lesbian Retirement homes. Any close to Austin Texas? Some that are reasonable too.
Here is the deal. I have the know-how needed to run a assisted living or skilled nursing facility. I am looking to build a retirement community in Austin and could use any input on how to make this materialize.
Another suggestion that I could make is the On Top of the World condo community in Clearwater, FL. It’s a gay friendly place with a very active social club. Check out our webpage: http://lambdaclearwater.blogspot.com