Happy together: lonely baby boomers turn to co-housing

When Rose Mark retired from being a teacher, she and her husband decided to leave their bustling San Francisco neighbourhood to find somewhere they would feel safer. One problem: the booming local tech scene had turbocharged demand for homes, and they found themselves outbid time and again.

As well as security, Mark craved a connection with her neighbours. Previously, she would be lucky to get a quick “hi” on the street. “I’m very friendly. I’ve lived in many different neighbourhoods in San Francisco,” she says. “I’d try to make friends but there wasn’t a sense of community.”

Then, among the for over-55s. Residents own their modest homes while sharing spacious communal areas, including a kitchen, movie room and a hot tub. The community is self-managed, residents work together in committees and each night a group of volunteers cooks for everyone.