Last week I saw an advertisement in the Sunday newspaper for an apartment property advertised as a 55+ community. The fact that I was reading a Sunday newspaper might tell you something about my age, I am 53. I noticed the photo of the people in the advertisement looked much older than me, although I suspect my co-workers might disagree. Considering that I am but 2 years away from qualifying for “senior housing” caused some personal alarm that led me to conduct a little research on 55+ housing communities.

The first age-restricted community was developed in 1954, or 66 years ago. In 1954 the life expectancy for men was 67 years and for women 73. Today, a man is expected to live until 77 and a woman until 81. It is common today to meet people working into their middle 70’s and living well into their 80’s and 90’s.

The point is 55 was old in 1954 and it is not in 2020. The average age of a person that enters a senior community according to an article in the Senior Living Resource is between 75 and 84. These seniors are looking for an active lifestyle that might include communal dining, social activities and emergency call systems. Pew Research indicates that 10,000 Americans each day turn 65 and will until 2030. With a growing population of those aged 70 or more the demand for all forms of housing to accommodate an older American population is obvious.

A 55+ community is likely not a solution for empty nesters like me that want to sell the bigger than needed house and dump the maintenance, lawn care, and snow removal. Most of us realized long ago that a house was not an investment, but rather an expensive and restricted savings account.

Metonic is responding to an exclusive population of consumers regardless of age that prefer renting over owning. We believe consumers are attracted to quality communities with neighbors of all ages. Proximity to youth keeps us young, and they keep our smart phones and computers running great.

Ravello 192 by MetonicRavello 192 is our community in Omaha that we branded as “apartminiums”. The property is designed like a condominium but it is an apartment that encourages longer leases. The pricing is transparent and we don’t charge extra for your furry family. The target residents are professionals or empty nesters that seek a quiet professional community.

We are proud to be part of a dynamic housing industry that is designing new and creative ways to house people.

Bob Dean, CEO