While renting out space in your home might get you into a lease, homesharing can give you a new lease on life. Denver residents Eileen and Jeanne discovered many unexpected benefits of co-housing when they signed up for Silvernest and found each other. “I’ve never lived with someone so interested in my life,” says Eileen. “It’s lovely to have a friend in the home. I’d be happy if Jeanne stayed indefinitely.”

Oil and water. Fire and ice. Teacher salaries and Bay Area housing costs. These are all examples of things that simply don’t mix.

At least for the last one, however, there is a creative solution available. Based on the success of our educator homesharing initiatives in Denver and Miami, Silvernest worked with Teach For America and Encore.org to help young teachers find affordable housing in an expensive city. This time we helped Teach For America educators in the notoriously expensive San Francisco Bay Area!

For a multitude of reasons, our friend circles tend to shrink throughout our adult lives, particularly in the later years. At the same time, we know social and community connections are critical contributors to our health and happiness. Senior industry expert and author Joy Loverde joins us for a conversation about why—and how—to make and keep new friends as we age.

We are in the age of the Silver Wave, with 4 million Americans turning 65 every year and living longer than ever. These seniors (and those approaching senior status) are grappling with unprecedented housing questions: Should I stay in my house or sell it? Should I downsize? How can I age in place? Can I afford to stay in my home? Can I afford not to?