The Real Story » Buying/selling

Retirement with a purpose

Colleen Edwards — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:37:26 +0000

The Real Story has been talking with Dan O’Brien from Shea Trilogy active adult communities about the impact of the Baby Boomer generation on our view of retirement. According to Dan, this generation is combining a love of travel and a desire for service into programs that he calls “travel with purpose”—whereby active adults with a desire to “give back” travel to Third World countries for the purpose of doing construction, rehabbing buildings, or working in social programs for the betterment of the local citizenry. These trips are long—about four weeks—and provide a very different experience than the cruise ship voyages that were once the staple of senior travel groups. Closer to home, at Dan’s own Trilogy at the Vineyards in Brentwood, the residents live among 35 acres of vineyards and another 30 of olive groves. The result, of course, is an active group of winemakers, and soon, the first olive oil crush as well. In the foodie-haven of the Bay Area, the attraction of participating in the harvest and processing of both wines and olive oils provides a link between wellness, connection, and exploration—all pillars of the new view of active adult living. Related posts:Retirement with a purposeBoomers shake up ‘active adult’ livingBoomers shake up ‘active adult’ living

Technology is the game changer

Colleen Edwards — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 14:23:37 +0000

This week, Dan O’Brien, president of Shea Homes Trilogy communities in Northern California is talking to The Real Story about how the Boomer generation is changing the concept of retirement living. Dan reminds us that earlier retirement living models were based on a scheduling format not unlike a cruise ship—with activities tightly planned and scheduled. The Boomer outlook calls for more flexibility, more choice, and more connection with the world outside of the boundaries of their community. The Boomers are the first retirement generation adept at using the Internet, making them the most connected retirees in history. How will they redefine retirement through constant interaction with the world that is literally at their fingertips? Stay tuned. Related posts:Technology is the game changerThe reinvention of retirementThe reinvention of retirement

Boomers shake up ‘active adult’ living

Colleen Edwards — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:27:23 +0000

In an interview that was originally posted last summer, The Real Story talks with Dan O’Brien, President of Shea Homes’ Trilogy communities in Northern California. The subject? How the Boomer generation is changing the way that “active adult” living is defined—and how the home is just part of the equation. The Boomer moving out of the family home and into active adult living is turning the conception of “senior housing” on its ear. For one thing, says Dan, only 10 percent of the residents of his Trilogy at the Vineyards community in Brentwood are actually retired. About 50 percent of the residents are still working in their careers; another 40 percent are starting new businesses, pursuing different career or interest paths. “These Boomers are not retiring”, says Dan. “They’re rewiring.” Coming to Shea Trilogy from a career in homebuilding and active adult community development with Del Webb, Dan says that Shea has had to throw away old conceptions about product and lifestyle and create a series of new paths that involve exploration, including self-improvement, connection, and wellness and well-being. Sounds like a far cry from shuffleboard. A segment of Dan’s memorable interview will be posted every day this week; listen here or download them on iTunes. Related posts:Boomers shake up ‘active adult’ livingRetirement with a purposeRetirement with a purpose