Cities Adjusted to Attract the Elderly

America is aging. 'By 2030, nearly 1 in 5 Americans will be 65 or older.' This aging population has significant clout. Nearly one third of the population is over 50, and they control half the country's discretionary spending.

1 minute read

July 23, 2010, 12:00 PM PDT

By George Haugh


Melissa Lafsky reports that "major cities, like New York, are looking for ways to make themselves more elder-friendly, in the hopes that a larger percentage of the elderly demographic will choose to spend their retirement, and their retirement dollars, living there."

"Efforts include everything from budgeting more public funds for elder-assistance to catering public transit to older people to lengthening the 'walk' times at crosswalks." While New York has traditionally been thought of as "a friendly place for seniors," other cities will increasingly cater to older populations as well.

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