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Although I'm not a city person, I thought some might relate to and enjoy this NYC retirement living article:
"When the co-op conversion wave began in New York City in the 1960s, singles and young married couples flocked to the Upper West Side hoping to get a piece of the action. Some of those people, now in their 70s, are still there, cemented in place by apartments bought for a song or equally treasured rent-stabilized units...As the neighborhood’s population has grayed, some apartment houses have morphed into what social scientists call NORCs — naturally occurring retirement communities. The most recent census estimates indicate that 22 percent of Upper West Siders, or 46,000 people, are 60 or older, compared with the citywide average of 17 percent. Attracted by convenient shopping, abundant mass transit and a wealth of cultural activities, many older residents hope to remain in their apartments the rest of their lives."
Although I'm not a city person, I thought some might relate to and enjoy this NYC retirement living article:
"When the co-op conversion wave began in New York City in the 1960s, singles and young married couples flocked to the Upper West Side hoping to get a piece of the action. Some of those people, now in their 70s, are still there, cemented in place by apartments bought for a song or equally treasured rent-stabilized units...As the neighborhood’s population has grayed, some apartment houses have morphed into what social scientists call NORCs — naturally occurring retirement communities. The most recent census estimates indicate that 22 percent of Upper West Siders, or 46,000 people, are 60 or older, compared with the citywide average of 17 percent. Attracted by convenient shopping, abundant mass transit and a wealth of cultural activities, many older residents hope to remain in their apartments the rest of their lives."
You posted an article about NORCs back in 2010, which I bookmarked.
I think the concept works best within an apt. complex, although the looser use of the term is for neighborhoods in general. The latter would pose many logistics problems; the former, with the apt. built-in community, would facilitate a NORC plan. Sooner or later some degree of administration would have to take place, and this would likely be paid staff on some level, as volunteers alone cannot generally be counted on to keep a comprehensive social service program going. Paid staff means funding, by clients and/or state contributions. In times like these, funding can be iffy.
On another note, I remember on the real estate forum some time ago there was a thread something like "Would you purchase a home in which someone has died." I laughed then, as I do reading the article posted above, as it seems that with our huge wave of boomers there will be an awful lot of houses and apartments in which someone will likely have recently passed away. Seems like a window of opportunity for some new business....
Back on topic, I do like the general idea of NORCs...if well-run.
Looking for NORCs nationally, I just found this (limited) map. Click on the listed communities to get contact info. I would guess there's other online NORC maps.
You posted an article about NORCs back in 2010, which I bookmarked.
I did?
I get news alerts on retirement. Sometimes they don't interest me or apply to me but I think others might like them.
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