When White Liz visiting her parents in Naples, Florida last year, she had no idea she would have an apartment of her own in the same building filled with retirees.
In 2021, White was living in downtown Philadelphia when her job as a marketing account manager became completely remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 31-year-old finds herself at a crossroads – her apartment lease is coming to an end and she’s about to break up.
While spending some time figuring out what happens next, White decides to move in with her parents, who are retired, and live in a building for retired friends.
“I love the sense of community. Everyone is so nice to each other and always helping each other,” White told CNBC Make it.
When an apartment in the building is available. White asked if she could rent it, and the owner said yes.
Each individual senior living arrangement comes with its own eligibility requirements, but typically residents must be 55 years of age or older.
In White’s parent’s building, all residents meet the age requirement, with the exception of White.
She said there are some other residents who are still working but most of them are retired.
“I think that helped me get to know the owners and they know me. They know what they get when I ask to rent their apartment,” White said.
‘It’s just a sweet, devoted community’
For rent for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, White pays about $2000 a month, “pretty much” what she’d pay in Philadelphia for a smaller apartment.
White’s daily routine is different from those of retired people because she does a traditional 9 to 5 hour job. But when having dinner at 3:30 with her neighbors or her parents doesn’t always get work done, she makes sure to go watch the sunset every night with a large group of her neighbors.
And about the camaraderie she feels with neighbors all over the age of 65, White says, “If someone is going through a medical problem, others are always willing to give you get groceries or take you to your doctor’s appointment. People are always knocking on the door with leftovers, so it’s just a sweet, devoted community.”
Living in a retirement building meant that White tended to go to dinner early.
White Liz
For White, living in a retirement community means she has to follow the rules, just like every other tenant in the building. Some of these include having to report overnight guests, no glass in the pool area, and specific hours to use the laundry room.
Despite the rules, White says the perks are worth it.
“I know the rules can be a lot, but I just like the slower pace of life here,” she said. “Being able to park and not have to scramble for parking on the street is great.”
And some perks include easy access to the pool, the beach across the street, and a handy toolbox with everything you need to fix something around your apartment.
White’s rent includes access to a storage room that she uses for beach gear and anything else she doesn’t have in her apartment.
