Retirement Communities Seek Younger Residents

A rash of vacancies caused by the ugly housing market has prompted many retirement communities to consider lowering, or even eliminating, age restrictions, the Wall Street Journal reports. Many of the communities enjoy lower taxes, and child- and teen-free living appeals to some seniors. But what's being call "age desegregation" may be necessary to keep these enclaves afloat during the economic downturn.

The popularity of age-restricted living has been waning since 2000—9 in 10 people in a recent AARP survey said they’d prefer to “age in place”—and the housing market’s stress may precipitate further withdrawal. Living with mixed ages “seems like a more natural way to live,” said one New Jersey retiree. (More retirement communities stories.)