Gen X may hurt Retirement Communities

Before anyone born between 1965-1983 blows a gasket, this is not generational warfare, I promise. In the 1970s America went through a series socio-economic changes. Families were trending smaller with fewer children. There was a war (Vietnam, 1965-1975), the divorce rate rose, the economy was rough with high inflation rates, et al. This led to Gen X being a smaller generation relative to the previous generation, the Baby Boomers consisting of people born between 1946-1964. Roughly 77 million Baby Boomers against the following generation of roughly 65 million. 

Older Boomers are now thining in population as the oldest among them enter their late 70s. But as the Gen X crowd approach retirement in the coming decades, their numbers will be smaller than those of the Boomers. Thus there is a real possiblity the retirement communities aimed at older retirees may start seeing a bit of a surplus in inventory. This could lead to either better prices in those communities or perhaps a shift back to family neighborhoods to serve the roughly 80 million Millenials that are now having families. 

Socialiogists might have to evaulate whether Gen X will inhabit specific over 55 retirement communities at a simialr rate than did Boomers. This could lead to opportunites for Gen X to get a rare "deal" in real estate by moving into these retirement communities when they reach the appropriate age. The oldest Gen Xers are in fact over 55 years old right now! 

So retirees in the coming years may be in a good spot to grab deals in established retirement themed communities like the coveted Fairway Village, here in Vancouver, WA, but they may also find fewer opportunities in brand new developments aimed at the same crowd as builders seem to be hyper focused on those 80 million Millenials. It will be interesting to watch as it all unfolds; older Gen Xers should carefully plan for the next decade as they become to focus of retirement living.