Senior communities stay connected to the mainstream

By STEVEN C. PETRUSKA

last updated: July 18, 2008 04:50:44 AM

Andrew Blechman's piece "Senior segregation" (July 13, Page B-7) tries to paint a bleak, depressing picture of a growing number of Americans who are flocking to active adult communities. I can't relate to any of it when I visit with residents at dozens of our Del Webb communities across the country.

Sure, I see some wrinkles. But they're far from unattractive. I see vibrant, active people 55 and older who choose to live here. They're opting in to an environment where they can pursue new passions, work part- or full-time and enjoy the later stages of life. Note I say "stages." These people have many good years ahead of them. They choose to do all of this with people of or close to being of their generation.

I question Blechman's claims that these communities are examples of age segregation or that living in one of them "encourages our less charitable instincts." Residents of these communities typically engage freely and fully in volunteerism at levels unmatched by greater society. In fact, the original Sun City in Phoenix, which the author cites, is known as "the city of volunteers" due to the overwhelming generosity of its residents to charities. Another active adult community contributed 1 million volunteer hours to local hospitals, hospices, youth organizations and the like in less than 10 years after its first resident moved in. How many towns can top that?

While Blechman alleges that active adult communities don't like kids and schools, he fails to acknowledge that these homeowners contribute millions each year to local schools when they pay their property taxes. And they don't add a single child to enrollments. He also neglects to mention that developers pay school impact fees at the time of development, albeit to a lesser extent for an age-restricted development, contributing significantly to the local schools without adding a single child.

Those ages 55 and older have many issues to face today: Working longer into the "retirement" years, more expensive health care, a longer lifespan than ever before, as well as the macroeconomics of the world around them, including higher costs of living. Del Webb communities provide a place for active adults to live their life surrounded by people "like me" in the same age range and stage of life.

Our own statistics prove that the large percentage of Americans will stay in place as they age. Today there are about 300,000 residents in the 80 or so Del Webb communities across the country. By comparison, the baby boomer generation numbers more than 78 million. An age-restricted community is just one option people have when choosing where to live.

Where you choose to live is a personal decision. Blechman chooses to live in rural Massachusetts. Other people choose to live in Manhattan or in the desert. Del Webb residents, as have most active adults, spent a good portion of life living in the communities the author wishes they would re-join. They've raised families, contributed to their churches and synagogues, and many have enjoyed long and rewarding careers. Now, they choose to pursue a new lifestyle in a different location. It's nice to have options, isn't it?

Petruska is executive vice president and chief operating officer of Pulte Homes, Inc./Del Webb.

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