Luxury hotels inspire senior living in Denver

Driving the news: America is going gray. Baby boomers and their kids make up a growing share of the country's population, according to census data.

What they're saying: "The number of activities and potential for social interaction are keeping this 72-year-old moving, outside, and intellectually stimulated," says Sharon McCray, a resident of The Retreat in Colorado Springs.

• The 55+ community has a regular rotation of concerts, block parties, game nights, wine nights and clubs.
• She moved into the neighborhood in 2021, right as it was being built. "It is one of the best decisions we ever made," she said.

What's happening: Apartment developers are courting empty-nesters as young as 55 years old, dangling prime locations, easy living and amenities you'd expect at a five-star hotel, senior living expert James Hill with Kirksey Architecture tells Axios.

Balfour Senior Living has several luxury apartment communities across the country, including Riverfront Park in Denver.

• Residents have access to a 24-hour concierge, chauffeur services, multiple on-site restaurants, a pool, social events and clubs and other luxe hotel-like offerings.

Yes, but: Many senior citizens can't afford plush prices, says senior economist Lu Chen at Moody's Analytics, whose research shows rents for senior housing are climbing across the U.S.

Reality check: Steep housing costs especially burden Americans on fixed incomes, contributing to rising homelessness among baby boomers, The Wall Street Journal reports.

• Roughly 70% of Denver renters age 65 and older spend at least 30% of their income on housing, per census figures.

What we're watching: Single-family rental homes. The hot suburban segment appeals to some older adults who want property management perks, but without neighbors on the other side of the wall.