Here’s some interesting news about the top 15 senior living communities for LGBT seniors in the US via SeniorAdvice.com, one of the nation’s top senior housing referral services. Note there’s just one for Washington State listed on here, DISCOVERY BAY RESORT over on the Olympic Peninsula, and it’s a mainly meant for women. There’s also an entry for Oregon, in Gresham at the awesomely named Rainbow Vista.
There are efforts to get Seattle on this list with Capitol Hill Housing’s project to construct LGBTQ senior housing at 14th & Union. There’s a community forum and workshop about this project on Tuesday, December 19th (LGBTQ-Affirming Senior Housing: Community Visioning Workshop) that you should check out.
Here’s the full story:
SeniorAdvice.com, one of the nation’s top senior housing referral services, released an article on the best fifteen thriving senior living communities for LGBT seniors. The company recognizes that the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) senior community is currently a very important part of the American population, and that the struggle for resources and housing can sometimes be difficult.
According to the American Psychological Association, “more than 39 million people in the U.S. are age 65 years or older including 2.4 million people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). It is estimated that as the baby boomer generation ages, the older adult population will increase from 12.8 percent to an estimated 19 percent in 2030.”* Although the LGBT community is growing steadily, the options for LGBT senior housing are not as flourishing. There are a handful of these communities across the country though, and SeniorAdvice.com has put together a list of the most welcoming.
The top fifteen LGBT-friendly senior housing communities in America are:
1. First to the party – The Palms of Manasota in Palmetto, Florida
This is one of the most popular and well-known communities of its kind in the country, partly because they were the first retirement community in America to openly welcome LGBT seniors. The Palms is a vibrant, thriving place to live. It is located in the Tampa Bay area between St. Petersburg and Sarasota. There are two areas or phases, one with 21 stand-alone homes and another with 2 condos and duplex units. Each group has a separate condo association but they are all recognized to be part of the same community. Residents report a friendly, warm atmosphere with activities, comfortable and beautiful common areas, and a convenient location.
2. Another popular Florida spot is – The Resort on Carefree Boulevard in Fort Myers, FL
The Resort is a women-only community and includes more than 50 acres with over 250 homes and RV lots, all with a beautiful, nature-focused setting. Many of the home sites include sunny Florida views of freshwater lakes and preserves. This place is a popular vacation spot for many while others choose to make it their year-round home. There are beautiful vistas, meticulous common areas for swimming, outdoor living, and plenty of activities for residents and visitors to enjoy the popular Southwest Florida lifestyle.
3. Sunny on the West Coast – Stonewall Gardens in Palm Springs, California
Stonewall Gardens offers luxury and full-time personal care as needed, in the heart of sunny Palm Springs. The facility has 24 units and is managed by Northstar Senior Living. On-site nurses provide 24-hour health and wellness care. There are daily activities, and delicious gourmet meals prepared by an on-site chef with all special dietary needs in mind. Residents enjoy group outings like going to the theater, shopping, dining out, and more. Homes feature private patios, beautiful outdoor spaces, and the facility is also pet-friendly. LGBT seniors in need of full service care will find Stonewall Gardens provides the support and dignity families want for their loved ones.
4. More California Sun at – Fountaingrove Lodge in Santa Rosa, CA
This craftsman style, modern facility is updated but feels like old world traditional luxury with fine woodworking, spacious floor plans and a unique blend of contemporary and classic decor. The natural beauty of the outdoors has been taken into consideration throughout with big windows highlighting beautiful views, very nice outdoor areas, and stunning interior design to compliment the scenery. Pets are welcome too. This LGBT-friendly community is one of the most beautiful communities on the list.
For more information, visit Fountaingrove Lodge.
5. Last California Spot on the List – Triangle Square in Hollywood
A slightly different take on the traditional retirement communities listed so far, Triangle Square was designed to provide homes for people in need of a more affordable housing option. There are 96 units for lower-income seniors and 34% are designated specifically for seniors living with HIV/AIDS or who are at risk of homelessness. The building is modern and clean, located at the corner of Selma and Ivar Avenue, and features a pool, lounge areas and common laundry facilities. The location makes this a special opportunity for LGBT seniors seeking a safe place to live in the LA area.
This facility was built by the city of Los Angeles, Redevelopment Agency, Housing Department, and the Housing Authority with help from SunAmerica.
6. Moving North to – Rainbow Vista in Gresham, Oregon
Rainbow Vista is a LGBTQ senior (55+) community near Portland, offering residents a safe, non-threatening and discrimination-free environment. Apartments range from studio to one-bedroom units and communal areas feature large event spaces, a theater room, workout space, game room with a pool table, and a music room. Utilities are included except for phone, internet and premium cable. This is a community that hosts barbecues, holiday parties and birthday celebrations. It is all about a welcoming, comfortable environment where everyone belongs.
Additional information can be found at Rainbow Vista.
7. Just a bit further North is – Discovery Bay Resort in Washington State
This women’s RV community is gaining popularity and residents say there is no other place like Discovery Bay on the North Olympic Peninsula. The natural beauty of the area makes it a wonderful vacation spot, and local residents also love the many options for recreation, outdoor activities like kayaking, birding, hiking, biking, waterfalls, and tide pools. The community also offers an an office/lounge with a full community kitchen, TV, computer and printer, WiFi, and mailboxes. The biggest challenge residents report is the need to downsize into an RV. Some just visit, others stay year-round.
8. The Residences at Seashore Point in Provincetown, MA
The Residences at Seashore Point welcomes people 55+ from all walks of life. This is known as a concierge condominium community that makes for carefree living. Amenities and services make everyday chores a breeze and all are welcome – single, married, gay and straight, first and second home owners, still working, or retired.
The Residences at Seashore Point is close to many popular restaurants, arts, cultural events, and festivities. Pets are welcome too.
This is a beautiful, gated gay and lesbian community of homes in New Mexico that offers direct access to many acres of adjoining private property conserved as green space. The community is a hiking and biking paradise and your LGBT neighbors are friendly and welcoming.
Residents enjoy nature trails for walking and hiking, including the National Forest Land surrounding the property. Additionally, the Pecos Wilderness preserve is only minutes away and features hundreds of miles of trails for hiking and horseback riding.
This senior housing community is located at the border of Cleveland and Lakewood and offers a unique environment for seniors 55 and up. One and two-bedroom apartments include all the amenities, beautiful outdoor grounds, and a friendly, dedicated staff.
Part of a Transit Oriented Development (TOD), the area offers very easy access to the West 117th RTA Rapid Transit Station making shopping, parks, and other entertainment options very convenient.
Love mountains and the outdoors? Carefree Cove might be a great place to retire. This is a gay and lesbian residential community in a mountain setting where friendly neighbors enjoy outdoor activities and scenic beauty all year round. Carefree Cove is a vacation spot for some but many LGBT seniors call it home and wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
If you’d like more information, visit Carefree Cove.
12. John C. Anderson Apartments in Philadelphia, PA
This facility is a unique, urban LGBT-friendly apartment community for seniors 62 years old and up. With amenities designed to make life more enjoyable and special features that are both modern and comfortable.
Each one-bedroom apartment has an open floor plan and modern kitchen, an inviting community room, outdoor community patio, and a variety of resident events and services. In the heart of Center City Philadelphia and just minutes from the “Avenue of the Arts,” this apartment community makes shopping, dining and entertainment convenient.
This is a small, women-only community that has been growing for the last 10 years in the desert of Arizona. This is a private community located in the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan area and is for residents who are 55 years of age and older. The group is close and supportive, has a thriving Homeowner’s Association, fun events for residents, and beautiful scenery on the property.
For more information on this listing, visit The Pueblo.
14. Spirit on Lake in Minneapolis, MN
This apartment community first opened in 2014 with 46 affordable, urban homes at the corner of Lake Street and 13th Avenue South in Minneapolis. Located near vast and rare greenspaces, this facility is just one block away from the Midtown Greenway offering residents access to miles of popular bike trails. It offers urban living in a safe, LGBT-friendly environment.
15. Last but not least – Townhall Apartments in Chicago, Illinois
Townhall Apartments is part of an affordable housing initiative in Chicago, offering permanent housing and supportive services for people at risk of homelessness and/or living with HIV/AIDS. The facility has been around for 3 years and is a safe place for LGBT seniors to live and retire.
Units are simple, low-cost and clean. The community is vibrant and has access to all the dining, shopping and entertainment that Chicago is famous for.
There is generally less acceptance of the LGBT community among older generations, which can make it very difficult to find a supportive community within the senior demographic. It is estimated that “48 percent of LGBT older couples face discrimination” according to a 2014 investigation by the nonprofit Equal Rights Center.** In addition to discrimination issues, this community can sometimes encounter financial difficulties as well. These seniors can experience discrimination in the workplace, which can make it hard to afford senior housing and save for retirement. SeniorAdvice.com recognizes these challenges and aims to be a strong resource for LGBT seniors.
Ryan Patterson, SeniorAdvice.com CEO and Founder states, “SeniorAdvice.com will continue to be dedicated and focus on the challenges and needs of seniors of all backgrounds. The LGBTQ senior community faces additional challenges that other seniors do not have to deal with, and we like to provide resources aimed at this group to help make transitioning to senior housing easier for all involved.”
To view the full article on the “Top 15 LGBT-Friendly Senior Living Communities in the U.S.” click here.
ABOUT SeniorAdvice.com Launched in 2016, SeniorAdvice.com connects older people and their support systems to more than 50,000 housing options. The free senior living search engine contains comprehensive information on providers nationwide, including assisted living, nursing homes, memory care, home healthcare, independent living, adult day services, retirement homes, respite care, and hospice.
As the Editorial Director/Co-Owner, Michael Strangeways writes, edits and does about a million other jobs for Seattle Gay Scene, Puget Sound's most visited LGBTQ news, arts and entertainment website now celebrating its 14th year as a media outlet. A semi-proud Midwesterner by birth, he's lived in Seattle since 2000. He's also a film producer who would like you to check out the Jinkx Monsoon documentary, "Drag Becomes Him" now available on Amazon.com. In his spare time, he gets slightly obsessive about his love for old movies, challenging theater, "otters", vodka, chocolate, "I,Claudius", Lizzie Borden, real books made out of paper, disaster films, show tunes, Weimar era Germany, flea markets, pop surrealistic art, the sex lives of Hollywood actors both living and dead, kitties, chicken fried steak, haute couture and David Bowie. But, not necessarily in that order.
