- Suburban Success Stories
These educated and relatively youthful seniors are enjoying life. Well-off and comfortable, they own their homes and they enjoy socializing. They were successful and prosperous before they retired, and things haven’t changed all that much now that they're not working full time.
- Sweet Southern Comfort
This group may not live in the country, but these ruralists share a rustic dream. They value their family relationships and keep in touch with cousins, in-laws, and close family friends They’re the group most likely to be married and when they want some fun, they just invite their children and grandchildren over for a picnic.
- Educated Travelers
Urbane and sophisticated, these globetrotters
are eager to travel and have the resources to wander, flying
off to exotic places and driving to local attractions, depending
on money, time, and distance. They are thoroughly wired into
the modern technologies of communication, but their main extravagance
is a high-end automobile.
- Bright Lights, Big City.
These cultured college graduates are affluent and are among the most likely to be married. They’re also likely to rent their homes, which enables them to live well in an upscale neighborhood. With enough assets to provide the good life, they enjoy fine dining and tend to relax by taking an occasional week-long cruise to the Caribbean or some other sunny climate.
- Take the ‘A’ Train
As die-hard city dwellers, this group is quite satisfied with their standard of living, not just because they are financially secure but also because they like to be close to the action. Social and convivial, they throw parties and enjoy getting out of the house to visit friends, go to the theater, and travel overseas. They exercise or play sports at least once a week, and as a result are healthier than average.
- Small Town Homebodies
These stay-at-home types don’t wander far from the comfort of their living rooms, and in general they tend to stay put and make do with whatever they have. Their lifestyle isn't what they dreamed about, but they like being at home, have the gift of good health, and are less likely than most to suffer ordinary aches and pains.
- Sunbelt
Satisfaction
Craving warmth, these sun-worshippers have moved to sunnier climes and, once they get there, take advantage of all the opportunities the nice weather provides. They play sports, go out to eat, and visit with their grandchildren as often as they can. They're also savvy and passionate shoppers who take time to search for the best deal, watch for sales, and wait until a coveted item is marked down before they decide to buy.
- Keeping Up with
the Joneses
As recent retirees, these stay-at-homes gather their income from pensions and savings plans but have few other sources of funds. They're concerned about appearances and have a conformist streak. This need to keep up with the Joneses urges them to purchase items that will meet with their neighbors’ approval and give themselves a bit of prestige.
- Flying High and Full of Fun
These active elders are the most likely to own their homes and like to entertain; when they have friends over they aim at providing a good spread and being the life of the party. They're in relatively good health, use their limited funds to achieve the good things in life, and are careful with their finances.
- Books and Broadband
Nearly two-thirds of the seniors in this group are women, who are likely to be living in older, rented apartments or other multi-family dwellings. They're well educated, intelligent, and aware of the world, and these dedicated bookworms appreciate what amenities they have. But even so, they’re also always interested in discovering what else is out there that they haven’t had a chance to see.
- Modest Means & Parks with Themes
Though this group prefers a quiet evening at home to a night on the town, they do get out and seek adventure once in a while. But the main reason they stay home is that they're very careful with their limited incomes. Nonetheless, this group still takes an average of four or more trips each year to visit their families or go sightseeing.
- Worn Out but Working
As the youngest of the crowd, this group is among the least likely to have graduated from high school, let alone college, is among the most likely to be employed, and is least likely to be retired. In reality, they continue to work for the simple economic reason that they need the money. One in 10 lives in poverty and one in six lives in a mobile home. However, most of these folks do own their home, even if it is in a less expensive and more remote location.
- World Class Shoppers
Satisfied with their lives, and though these homeowners use television as their main source of entertainment, they tend to be prudent and financially aware. Unlike most groups, they are well aware of the benefits of exercise and are among the most likely to walk, swim, and work out at the gym. When they hit the road, it’s usually to go shopping.
- Making the Most of Limited Means
Relatively youthful, this cluster sees itself as being creative and intelligent. They're prone to having a vain streak and in general their priority is to look good, feel good, and have a good time. They also like to socialize, are among the least likely to still be living with their spouse, and are among the most likely to get around without owning a vehicle.
- Settled in Suburbia
Most of these cul-de-sac dwellers own several televisions, which they tend to spend a lot of time at home watching. Unfortunately this solitary entertainment only increases their feelings of isolation. Cautious and somewhat tentative, this group tends to stay put. More than half moved into their current housing 20 or more years ago, and three-quarters live in housing that was built 30 or more years ago.
- Struggling in Central City
City dwellers all, this group is the poorest, includes the most immigrants, and has the largest population over 70. They are highly localized, with half living in New York City, specifically in Brooklyn, Harlem, and the Bronx, with most of the rest at home in Chicago. Half speak a language other than English, and more than half live in housing that is more than 50 years old.
- At Home in the City
One of the two groups with the highest percentage of women, these city dwellers enjoy their independence and are the most likely to be living alone. Nearly all reside in an urban area with ample opportunities for shopping and restaurants, often with public transportation nearby. Many rent their homes as they downsize their living quarters to save money and to avoid paying for home maintenance.
- Southern Hospitality
Mostly southern, mostly female, and most likely to have been married, this
group is not all that wealthy but find ways to get by. They keep the house spotless and welcoming in case someone drops by, and they enjoy having their grown children over to help them with the more difficult chores. More than a fifth of this group lives in their own mobile home.
- Blue-Collar Blues
As the least likely to have graduated from college, this group lives modestly, to put it mildly. With few assets and not much opportunity to increase their income, more than a third of this group lives alone, 10 percent live in a group housing arrangement, and one-eighth is officially poor by government standards.
- Diverse and Distressed
On the whole this group is just scraping by, particularly because they are unlikely to have any investments, securities, or other tangible assets. More than a quarter live in cities that are losing population, and most live in houses that are aging and need repair. But they do manage to travel on occasion, primarily to see friends and family.
These educated and relatively youthful seniors are enjoying life.
Well-off and comfortable, they own their homes and they enjoy socializing.
They were successful and prosperous before they retired, and things haven’t
changed all that much now that they're not working full time.