When it comes to housing costs, Los Angeles is one of the toughest markets in the nation. According to a recent analysis by Zillow Research, LA renters spend 45% of their income on the typical property (spending more than 30% is considered “cost-burdened”). Homeowners in the area aren’t much better off, spending nearly 44% of their income on the typical mortgage (based on current prices). To make matters worse, if you’re among the many San Francisco or San Jose residents found by Zillow to be earning a lower income, you have a whole lot less to live on after paying those high housing costs.  

Over the last 100 years or so, the American economy—and, in many ways, our culture—has been hyper-focused on efficiency and specialization. Interestingly, this focus has changed our lives and relationships too. In a speech given at the 2019 Aspen Ideas Festival, author and CEO Marc Freedman shared how post-industrialized America began to “specialize” experiences by age in a way that previous societies had not, and the trend has only accelerated over the years. This kind of segmentation is efficient for marketers, education, military service and medicine… but we’ve lost something along the way.

Tim rents a room in Suz's house in Arvada, CO. They've developed a sweet friendship. Watch their homesharing story here!

Here's a group of four adults who are choosing to live together in their 50s. The community they've built is powerful, supportive and fun. Watch their homesharing story here!

Watch this heart-warming story of two happy Silvernesters in Fort Collins, Colorado.

The majority of us have put a stake in the ground for anyone who cares to listen. We are going to age in our own homes. We will exercise our freedom to choose to age on our terms and in our own way. The term “Age in Place” shows up everywhere but no one tells us exactly what that means, how we can do this vibrantly, and how this choice affects our health as we move from our 50s to our 60s and our 70s.

Did you hear? Silvernest has a podcast! Welcome to Share Your Story, a series of conversations with expert guests about issues affecting those over 50: retirement, housing, personal finance, friendships, activities and much more. Join Silvernest CEO Wendi Burkhardt and lifestyle and aging expert Patricia Raskin as they dive into topics that help boomers make smart decisions and live their best lives. Tune in for a non-technical look at these topics that touch us at every stage in life—and have fun and learn something new while you’re at it!

When military members serve their country, they have a brigade, a battalion, a shipmate, a battle buddy and many other forms of community and connection. But after they hang up their beret or Kevlar, they have a different battle to fight: loneliness.  

The term “roommate” has a significantly different meaning in your 50s than it did in your 20s. But no matter how your tastes or needs may change, sharing your space with someone may still bring a lot of benefits to your life. From helping with a mortgage or supplementary income, to providing companionship during changing times, having a roommate past 50 is becoming a growing trend, and for good reason.

Wendi Burkhardt was interviewed on the Patricia Raskin show for Voice America.