Did you know that Florence was named the Number One place to age by Realtor.com? The reasons why may surprise you.
Michael Miller, head of Florence's Chamber of Commerce, concedes that this city was once known as the "Denture Capital of the World." But don't be put off: This has become a lively and diverse place
The math is inescapable: There are about 75 million baby boomers growing a little older every day. They're the largest generation ever to retire, whenever they get around to it. And following right behind are 65 million Gen-Xers, the oldest of whom are already well into their 50s. (Yikes!) They're all going to need places to live as they age. But where?
Their children may not have the space, because their grandkids refuse to move out. (Damn millennials!) Housing prices are continuing to rise in desirable areas, making it difficult to downsize on a fixed income. And sending the boomers out on ice floes might seem like an attractive solution—until little Humbert asks where grandpa is going. The ice caps are melting anyway, so room may be limited.
But boomers changed the world—and now they're changing the concept of getting older, too. They're popularizing the idea of "aging in place": buying homes for the long haul, and modifying them as time goes on, so they can continue to live independently for as long as possible. So-called "universal designs" allow such flexibility, and owners are adding bathroom rails, hands-free faucets, and downstairs den-into-bedroom conversions when they need them. And everyone, it seems, is on the prowl for places to live that can fit the bill from middle age all the way to the bitter end. Or darn close to it.
