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Where the Rolling Stones lead, "baby boomers" will follow as we all grow older, and that could be into an age-restricted condominium development where "generation Xers" are not particularly welcome. Discriminatory? You bet! Allowed by law? Certainly! Fair? Who cares?
Seeking peace and quite, as well as golf and bridge partners, older people these days are often choosing to live in condo homes that do not allow children. In fact, some don't allow anyone under the age of 55 to live there, and those condo bylaws are as enforceable as any statute passed by government. Come to think of it, condo corporations have pretty well the same provincially-bestowed powers as any municipality!
Seeing where the demographics and part of the home-buying public is heading, developers have forged ahead to create a variety of age-restricted developments. Most obvious are the "villa" homes, often situated adjacent to golf courses. These are usually duplex-style condominium bungalow (no second storey) homes with all the needed services and covered parking on the main level. If there is a basement, it's supplementary, and may not be developed. In fact, some buyers never see the basement, as stairs-free living was their goal.
There are also apartment-style age-restricted developments. These, too, can come with a range of ages one must achieve before being allowed to reside on site. People younger than the specified age can certainly visit and stay over with mom and dad or grandparents, but the bylaws may dictate a limit to how long it is before a "visitor" becomes a prohibited permanent resident. Ironically, younger people may own one of these homes, but may not live on site until they reach the required age. This allows adult children-for estate or tax reasons-to buy or own the parents' condo home in such a development.
The ambiance of age-restricted condo communities is naturally very different from an open-door development, which might be identical in terms of bricks and mortar. If the age restriction is 55 or 60 years, the place is going to be pretty sedate, with similar-aged people likely sharing common interests. If the age restriction is only 18 years or older, there will be a broader mix of retired and working people, but not a tricycle to be seen. Shop the market to find the location, degree of age restriction, and housing style that meets your needs and preferences.
For the budget-minded, Calgary also has a selection of long-standing apartment-style buildings that were previously rental developments, but which astute developers converted to condominium homes with an age restriction. The restriction, of course, cannot be imposed on an existing homeowner. The buyer must be aware in advance that s/he is choosing to own a home that has the restriction already in place. In various city neighborhoods, then, we find affordable elevator-served condo buildings that have little noise and a boast of a organized seniors social life, yet are not care facilities in any way.
A new addition is the age-restricted denominational condominium community. These can be developed by a church's charitable foundation, and include all housing styles and a mix of urban, suburban and rural locations. While the age restriction is enforceable, one cannot be required to be of a particular faith or to attend a particular church as a residency requirement, although buyers naturally tend to be part of that religious community.
These new housing options are modern niche-marketing par excellence. And they allow people to choose the degree of restriction they desire in the mini-community where they make their homes. Our boomer comeuppance will be the creation of the first youths-only community, where a rave is held every night, and over-18s are welcome only if they leave the Jack Benny records at home, and move on before dark!
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