Builders + Boomers = Disconnect

I’ve written many posts about Baby Boomers, inasmuch as I am one.  In holding open houses here in Lake Oswego, I meet many Baby Boomers as well.  All along I’ve been against the McMansions and have stated so.  In addition, however, I have also given kudos where due to the builders who are finally getting on board and building smaller houses.

Now comes word, that everything in my blog posts is “happening” in new construction.  Gone is the glitz and glam of yesterday.  Gone is the popularity for the McMansions and now the 1,900 sq. ft. house is the most desired sq. ft. by Boomers.  It’s the first-time home buyers, the Baby Boomers, empty-nesters, singles, and seniors that all want and need the smaller, quality-built affordable houses.  All those add up to a large percentage of home buyers. 

In a recent story, along with a MetLife report which I’ve written about,

“depending upon where these buyers were from, they wanted homes between 1,600 square feet and 2,400 square feet. This year’s data showed the most popular size at 1,900 square feet — and 79 percent wanted that space on one floor, up from 17 percent in 1970.”

Guess I’ll stay in the house I have as long as I can do the stairs, as it’s exactly that sq. footage. The article goes on to say there’s been a Builder-Boomer disconnect  – I’ve only been saying that forever!

Lake Oswego + Boomers = Disconnect

In last week’s Lake Oswego Review there was an article about the City now once again concerned about the affordability of houses for its seniors and Baby Boomers.  Lake Oswego has always been a high-end market with a lack of easy transportation and affordable housing. 

Particularly, the West End of Lake Oswego where I live there is no easy transportation with only one limited bus route and service and you have to cross a busy highway.  Situated next to I-5 and Kruse Way, the West End would be a logical place to add light-rail along those two corridors.  The Kruse Woods Financial District is located at this West End, with office workers not given any choice but to drive.  Certainly not an amenity the City can shout about nor can Boomers and Seniors use on a frequent basis.  There are no stores or shopping within walking distance from my house other than perhaps Trader Joe’s which is about a mile away.  So much for the Walk Score for its West End – the “forgotten child” of Lake Oswego’s City officials. 

Everything seems to be geared towards the affluent area of First Addition and near the Lake instead.  There is no easy parking at the Library and in fact I’ve had my car hit in its parking lot.  Yet the Lake Oswego residents are hesitant to transfer those facilities to its West End Building.  The Lake Grove Post Office is severely lacking, and it would be a great addition to the West End Building not to mention the Booktique which is currently in Mercantile Village.  We bought the building, so now let’s use it.  Are there any Planners on staff at Lake Oswego with the vision to make this an even better place to live?

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