The Post-COVID Tenure Shift

Active lifestyle communities have long been a popular choice for older adults seeking wellness, social engagement, and a strong sense of community. Historically, residents in these communities have shown increasing tenure, with many staying well over a decade, drawn to the amenities and vibrant atmosphere. However, new research [1] reveals a striking shift: the median homeownership tenure has dropped post-COVID, reflecting a broader nationwide trend in homeownership duration. 

COVID-19 has caused a devastating loss of life in the U.S. The surge in mortality had a noticeable impact on national longevity: life expectancy at birth dropped by about 2.7 years over 2020–2021, falling from 78.8 years in 2019 to 76.1 years in 2021​. This marked the largest two-year decline in U.S. life expectancy in a century (since 1921–1923)​. Older adults experienced especially high COVID-19 death rates [2]​. 

Beyond acute infections, many COVID-19 survivors have endured long-term health issues, known commonly as Long COVID or post-COVID conditions. The pandemic’s impact on mental health is another significant health consequence, sometimes termed a “mental health crisis". The prolonged stressors of the pandemic – including illness and grief, social isolation, job loss, and uncertainty – led to sharp increases in anxiety, depression, and substance abuse nationwide. By late 2020, public health experts were warning of a “second pandemic” of mental health issues. 

The pandemic catalyzed major shifts in how and where people work in the United States. Perhaps the most visible change was the mass adoption of remote work. Given that remote work has allowed more people to move into scenic, retirement-friendly locations, one might expect tenure to increase rather than decrease. However, health consequences were likely outweighing this impact. 

Utilizing longitudinal surveys (2018, 2021, 2023, 2024) and property transaction records, researchers examined why residents in retirement-style communities are moving out sooner. While national housing trends have been influenced by economic uncertainty, remote work, and shifting homeownership dynamics, these factors alone do not fully explain the accelerated turnover in active lifestyle communities.

One might assume that dissatisfaction is a leading factor in shorter tenure, but this study found that resident satisfaction remains consistently high at 93%, far exceeding the national average for similar communities (~73%).

Another emerging trend is that newer and younger residents—those who settled in active lifestyle communities post-pandemic—are significantly more sensitive to financial costs than their older, long-term counterparts. This financial sensitivity is expected to influence governance decisions, amenity funding strategies, and overall community stability.

This shift in tenure presents both a challenge and an opportunity. If residents are leaving due to health concerns rather than dissatisfaction, community leaders should focus on enhancing wellness support, improving access to preventive healthcare, and fostering even stronger social connections.

At the same time, addressing financial concerns—especially among newer residents—will be crucial in maintaining the long-term viability of these communities. Adjusting amenity funding strategies and providing cost-effective solutions may help mitigate financial pressures and sustain resident satisfaction.

More research is needed to fully understand the evolving needs of active lifestyle communities, particularly in light of demographic shifts and economic pressures. However, one thing is clear: these communities must continue to adapt—not just to attract new residents, but to support existing ones in staying healthier and happier for longer.

REFERENCES

Irene S. Gabashvili, Christopher K. Allsup.  Resident Turnover and Community Satisfaction in Active Lifestyle Communities. February, 2025 arXiv:2502.15789 [stat.AP]  https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2502.15789   

Gabashvili IS The Incidence and Effect of Adverse Events Due to COVID-19 Vaccines on Breakthrough Infections: Decentralized Observational Study With Underrepresented Groups JMIR Form Res 2022;6(11):e41914 doi: 10.2196/41914, PMID: 36309347, PMCID: 9640199

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Healthier Communities Through Inclusive Planning

In today's fast-paced world, the design of our communities plays a pivotal role in our overall health and well-being. Imagine neighborhoods where walking trails weave through green spaces, parks beckon families outdoors, and pickleball courts foster friendly competition among neighbors of all ages. These aren't just amenities; they're vital components that reduce stress, promote physical activity, and enhance quality of life.

Traditionally, decisions about such community features have been made by a select few, often without direct input from those who will use them daily. But what if the residents themselves could steer these choices, ensuring that their community evolves in ways that truly support their health and happiness?

Our latest paper, "Democratizing Strategic Planning in Master-Planned Communities," introduces an innovative tool that puts community residents at the forefront of planning. By leveraging brief online surveys, we capture residents' preferences for amenities that enhance well-being. Whether it's serene walking trails that encourage daily exercise, vibrant parks for relaxation and social gatherings, or pickleball courts that offer fun, low-impact physical activity for all ages, our tool translates these insights into actionable strategies. This data-driven approach results in a ranked list of potential plans, taking into account how likely residents are to use them, their sensitivity to costs, and perceived risks.

This methodology is grounded in utility theory and utilizes exponential models to account for diminishing returns on investments in quality, cost, and risk mitigation. Essentially, it helps planners answer critical questions: What health-promoting amenities do residents value most? How can resources be allocated to maximize community well-being? Which amenities are residents willing to support financially?

By involving residents directly, we not only gather valuable insights but also foster a sense of ownership and commitment to community health initiatives. This participatory approach ensures that the amenities developed are those that residents genuinely desire and will actively use, leading to healthier lifestyles and stronger social connections.

Moreover, this method promotes transparency and inclusivity in the planning process. Planners and developers can make informed decisions that reflect the collective will, while residents see their preferences and needs acknowledged and addressed. It's a win-win scenario that builds trust and encourages ongoing community engagement.

By democratizing the planning process, we empower residents to actively shape their environment. Planners gain valuable, data-driven insights that lead to more inclusive and effective decision-making. The result is a community designed not just for its residents, but by its residents—a place where health and happiness are built into the very fabric of the neighborhood.

For a deeper exploration of how inclusive planning can revolutionize community health, we invite you to read our paper and listen to our podcast discussing this transformative tool.

The path to healthier communities begins with a simple step: listening to the people who call it home.

REFERENCE

Allsup CK, Gabashvili IS. Democratizing Strategic Planning in Master-Planned Communities. arXiv preprint arXiv:2410.04676 [econ.EM] https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2410.04676

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April Fools' Day 2024: Reflecting Our Digital Psyche

It's April Fools' Day, a time when tech companies, big and small, roll out their most outrageous, bizarre, and occasionally plausible inventions and announcements. It's another day of hoaxes in an internet landscape already teeming with misinformation and pranks. Yet, we find ourselves embracing this annual tradition, which never fails to elicit a mix of amusement, confusion, and sometimes, a hint of annoyance.

April 1st is not just about laughter; it's a day that offers a peek into our collective psyche. It's an opportunity to step beyond our everyday reality and imagine a world with a twist, sometimes bringing our most far-fetched tech fantasies closer to reality. This year, as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integral to our lives, we find humor in its absurdities and potential—from gaming chairs with AI-powered tentacles to oversized repair tools that fix a device while a dozen more learn to self-repair, to the beyond-AI living pet rocks.

Reflecting on the past, we're reminded of Gmail's debut as an April Fools' joke exactly two decades ago—a service that has since become a staple in our digital lives. In 2009, Google introduced CADIE - AI assistant that can code. Fast forward to 2024, and we see Budsie's AI-enabled dolls enabled dolls "programmed to learn everything about you" and Razer's Cthulhu gaming chair offering AI-powered tentacles to cater to your every need, blurring the lines between fiction and the near-future possibilities of AI.

In 2022, Razer unveiled the Enki Pro HyperSense haptic chair at CES, offering vibrations and shakes synchronized with games, TV, and movies. Razer technology, introduced on April 1st, 2022, included a full-body gaming suit aimed at immersing users by simulating physical sensations and emotions through haptic feedback. In 2024, we witness a more refined iteration, reminiscent of the future depicted in WALL-E, where users find themselves deeply engaged without needing to leave their chairs.

Meanwhile, Waymo embraces its "Grandma of Robotaxis" title with a grandma-themed autonomous vehicle, and iFixit pokes fun at the absurdity of all-in-one oversized repair tools while tech retailer Currys lets customers exchange their old tech for delicious curry dishes. In the language learning world, Rosetta Stone and Fluent team up for "Rosetta Stoned," a fictional app that promises a laid-back approach to mastering vocabulary of seasoned stoners.

AI technology is revolutionizing health tracking with cutting-edge devices like the Withings Shaft smart cane and the Withings Puck truly smartwatch. At the heart of the Puck is "timeless tracking," offering a comprehensive suite of features including a built-in breathalyzer, glucose meter, heart rate sensor, DNA sampler, and more. This seamless integration ensures that users have access to a wealth of health insights right at their fingertips. And if you still need to connect with someone alive - try mental-health-boosting puppies from American Well. Seems to work even better than instant holographic physicians from 2022.

From the growing influence of AI to the quirks of autonomous vehicles, mental-health-boosting puppies and the ever-evolving language of cannabis culture, each prank holds a grain of truth about our world.