FORUM: Condo developers ignoring boomers' desires
By By Barbara T. Saad - Escondido resident | ∞
Why are developers ignoring the needs of the biggest batch of potential buyers in this country's history, the baby boomers? We now have family-style homes too large to maintain comfortably, and our kids are grown.
Where are the downtown condos, all on one floor, designed with seniors in mind?
We were very disappointed with the new multiple-story condos with stairs we no longer can or want to walk.
People young enough to walk those stairs, have or will have kids, but city streets aren't the right playground for children of any age. Do we really want squealing graffiti generators downtown?
Or would we rather have quiet seniors who appreciate the convenience of a compact environment, who eat out a lot and socialize at the sidewalk restaurants and frequent the Center for the Arts, Escondido, movie complex, small art galleries and special downtown events?
Kids belong in our homes with yards and bicycle-riding streets. But we seniors have no place convenient to go.
We need two baths and two or three bedrooms, all on one floor within one to two blocks of downtown, lots of storage, a laundry space and one walk-in closet, please. Don't want any steps, but an elevator that will accommodate a scooter is fine.
When we can no longer drive, we'd love to be able to use a scooter to transit a 10-12 block radius or get to the transit center, which now connects with Amtrak and the airport by rail. Imagine that! Escondido's downtown would be ideal for still-active baby boomers who don't necessarily want to fight freeway traffic. What a kick it would be to sit on a balcony and watch the car show below, or walk to the Farmer's Market.
We don't want high-end condos that price us out of the market with marble counters, terrazzo floors, vaulted ceilings we have to waste energy to heat, and palatial baths. We want to own our homes, and we aren't ready for matchbox assisted living.
But we do want wide doorways and restrooms that will accommodate a walker, have grab bars, handicapped toilets, and shower seats.
There must be big closets and storage space for holiday decorations, etc. We need a dining area that can expand into the living room and a cocktail/breakfast bar. We need at least two parking spaces. Shared common rooms are needed for family get-togethers, and don't forget workout-machine space.
Balconies or a central courtyard with trees would be a bonus. Add a gas fireplace with a notch over it for a large flat-screen TV, and I'll think I'm in heaven. Sell that for $300,000 or under, and I'll be the first in line to buy.
Developers and City Council, are you listening? Anyone else think this is a good idea? If you don't let City Council and developers know what you want and need, we may continue to see the birth of a ghetto and be stuck in our monster-maintenance homes.
Imagine yourself able to walk a block for morning coffee with friends, a night at the theater without fighting for parking. Imagine the convenience and fun. Baby boomers, speak up!
Barbara T. Saad is an Escondido resident.
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b wrote on Jun 11, 2008 9:04 AM:The writer will have to move out of San Diego county is she wants it for <$300k.
Art wrote on Jun 11, 2008 7:18 PM:Sounds to me like she's describing Leisure World, a gated community in Seal Beach.
John wrote on Jun 12, 2008 2:24 PM:Barbara has a view of the furure. There is no way our country can sustain itself energy wise by building these 4-5 thousand square feet homes. Homes do need to be scaled back. We just need more people like Barbara speaking up.
Lisa wrote on Jun 12, 2008 9:13 PM:Great Forum, Barbara. I support your view. Great points and so much of it made perfect sense. It was really nice to read your perspective - I envisioned it while reading it...I understand your points. I hope the City & developers will take this into consideration - but, I do think that the number of units they have already approved are more than enough. Perhaps, the ones that have been approved, but not yet built could be altered to offer the kind of accomodations you have relayed. I wish you the best and hope that the City & the developers are listening and will respond!
Walt wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:36 AM:An empty nester also, I wonder if you have examined the many available homes now on the market?
Bring back the family unit wrote on Jun 19, 2008 7:43 PM:These large homes can be shared with your family. Build a granny flat and bring back the family unit to the days when kids were raised in the loving family unit which included grandparents living at home with them. It will keep you young!
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