Why Livable Communities Matter to Gen X

Why Livable Communities Matter to Generation X

Available public transportation, better bike and walking paths, safe streets, accessible and affordable housing, and places to work, shop and be entertained closer to home, are some aspects that define a livable community. These trends can be valuable for everyone from young families to people with disabilities to people as they age in our communities. What about a livable community appeals to Generation X?

I recently watched some home movies from my childhood.  My sister and I, along with neighborhood kids, were sledding in the park near our house; we were bumping into each other and tumbling into the snow at the bottom of the hill. We spent hours with our friends, in this and other favorite outdoor play spots, often without adult supervision. Most of us in Generation X fondly remember similar scenarios growing up, whether it was walking to the corner store or the freedom we had riding our bikes everywhere on our own. We want to get back to those days when the neighborhood fulfilled most everything we needed.

At the same time, we want to create a community where we can spend more time together as a family. Our generation experienced high divorce rates among our parents, and produced “latchkey” kids whose parents were often not home after school. Today, it seems parents are more hands-on in the raising of their children and more engaged in activities with their spouses. The childhood experience for many in Generation X has helped shape the desire for strong families and local communities. Our generation’s divorce rate is lower than our parents and our focus on local neighborhoods and schools is more intentional.

Communities that make daily tasks easier and closer to where we live certainly help in our busy lives. It also helps to stretch our earnings; I have seen community gardens, tool sharing programs, and neighborhood garage sales created to pool local resources. We need to join other generations to help create livable and connected communities where, no matter what the age or income, we can again find the freedom and safety to play in our neighborhoods, get around on our own, and not be alone.

Learn more about AARP’s Livable Communities at www.aarp.org/livable.  Then, use our innovative power and take part in the AARP Foundation’s 2016 Aging in Place $50,000 Challenge by May 2, 2016. http://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/aarp-foundation-prize.html?cmp=RDRCT-FDNPRZ_NOV16_012