Dear Friends -
This week’s newsletter is inspired by a New York Times quiz from last week that helps you find your “dream senior living community.” It’s a playful way to imagine what life could look like in your later years — and it touches on something I help many of my clients think deeply about as they plan their next chapter: location.
Choosing to live in a community is just one of many options for how to live as we age. Some people crave the connection and convenience that a planned community offers, while others prefer to stay in their homes or design their own intentional living setups with friends or family. This newsletter will help you learn about the different types of communities available today and start exploring which options might fit your vision for your next stage of life.
Where we live influences our energy, our social life, our access to health and culture, and ultimately, our sense of purpose. The old model of “retirement homes” has evolved into something far more interesting. Today’s senior living landscape includes everything from resort-style campuses and artist co-ops to eco-villages and luxury vertical communities designed for connection and longevity.
The Modern Senior Living Landscape
There’s no one-size-fits-all path. The right community depends on your personality, lifestyle, and values. Here’s a look at some of the most common — and emerging — options:
Type | Typical Monthly Cost | Key Features | Ideal For | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent Living | $3,000–$6,000 | Resort-style amenities, wellness programs, flexible dining | Active, social retirees | Atria, Brookdale, Vi Living |
Continuing Care (CCRC) | $5,000–$12,000 (+ entry fee) | Continuum from independent to assisted to skilled nursing | Long-term planners seeking stability | Lifespace, Erickson Senior Living |
Assisted Living | $4,000–$8,000 | Daily living support, social activities, meals included | Those who want help but not medical care | Sunrise, Belmont Village |
Co-Housing / Intentional Communities | $1,000–$3,000 | Shared spaces, collaborative living, eco-minded | Community builders, creatives | Silver Sage Village, Cantine’s Island |
Luxury Lifestyle Communities | $6,000–$15,000+ | Concierge, spa, golf, fine dining | Those seeking comfort, activity, and connection | Latitude Margaritaville, Revel Communities |
Aging in Place 2.0 | Varies | Home modifications + concierge care services | Independent-minded homeowners | Papa, Upside, CareYaya |
Emerging Trends to Watch
Multigenerational Living: Parents, adult children, and even friends sharing flexible homes or compounds.
Urban “Vertical Villages”: City towers like The Mather in Chicago or Inspīr Manhattan that combine luxury with long-term care options.
Creative & Cultural Communities: Artist colonies, writers’ residences, or lifelong learning hubs that encourage curiosity and expression.
Eco-Retreats & Wellness Havens: Communities built around sustainability, healthy food, and nature immersion.
Digital Nomad Retirement: Retirees spending part of the year in destinations like Portugal, Costa Rica, or Baja for community and adventure.
Reflection: What Would Home Feel Like in Act Three?
Take a moment to visualize your ideal setting.
What kind of energy do you want around you — calm and restorative or lively and social?
Do you crave access to culture, nature, or creative inspiration?
What would make your next home feel like freedom?
🧭 Try this: Rank your top three priorities for your ideal Act Three home — connection, independence, luxury, nature, or creativity.
Where would each lead you?
🧠 AI Reflection Prompt: Design Your Ideal Community
Here’s a journaling exercise you can copy directly into ChatGPT (or any AI tool you use). It will help you imagine and define the kind of living environment that supports your next chapter.
Prompt:
“You are my personal life designer. I’m planning for my next chapter and I want to think through what kind of living community would best fit my lifestyle, interests, and values.
Ask me thoughtful questions, one at a time, to help me clarify:
How I like to spend my days
How social I want my environment to be
My preferences for climate, location, and cost
What amenities or services would enhance my quality of life
What kind of people I’d like to be surrounded by
After asking your questions, summarize the top three types of communities or living arrangements that could align with my goals.”
If you are new to using AI, here’s a quick tutorial.
Closing Thought
The right place to live isn’t just about real estate — it’s about alignment. As your goals and identity evolve, your surroundings should reflect who you’re becoming, not just where you’ve been.
If you’d like to explore what kind of community or home base fits your vision for Act Three, that’s something we can design together.
Cara Gray
Third Act Consultant, CPRC, CEPA™️
P.S.S. If you want to start planning your third act, set up a time on my calendar for a chat: Schedule a Chat with Cara