Shea Homes®, guardians of the Trilogy brand of active adult communities, is out Wednesday with a study that reveals a desire to make new friends among retiring baby boomers.
The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 home shoppers above the age of 50 nationwide, said 37% say they have made zero new friends over the past year. In addition, 46% stated their social network has dwindled due to friends moving from their neighborhood and more than 60% would like to live in a community where they know their neighbors.
In the same national proprietary study, more than 55% of participants feel that activities and programming within a community club are more important than the size and list of amenities offered inside the building.
“Our intent for people who move to one of our communities, no matter where they are in the U.S. or what interests they may share with others, is they are become happier than they were before they made the move to a Trilogy community,” said Jeff McQueen, president of Trilogy by Shea Homes. “Yes, we build quality homes and resort clubs, but without our lifestyle programming these are just neighborhoods, not communities. We want to create experiences that result in real friendships and new relationships. ”
Trilogy has pioneered a variety of trend-forward programming throughout its history, including a way for its members to develop friendships across the nation through Explore 360, a cross-community travel program. Explore 360 allows Members to travel and explore the world alongside fellow Members. These trips are planned and coordinated by a National Lifestyle Directors. In the fall of 2018, Members from all parts of the country will be headed to Italy together, an excursion that sold out in just under 18 hours. Additional expeditions have included a National Parks adventure, Club Med, the Galapagos and trip through Europe on a small cruise ship.
Trilogy’s signature concert series, The Good Life Festival, entered its eighth concert season at Encanterra, a Trilogy Resort Community in Arizona in spring 2018. The Festival has hosted an all-star lineup of classic rock and roll bands that have included Chicago, The Doobie Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Beach Boys, Heart and Foreigner. The public festival hosts more than 5,000 guests, including Trilogy Members from other communities, to celebrate food, artisan shopping and great music in an outdoor setting overlooking breathtaking resort grounds. The festival also takes place annually on a smaller scale at Trilogy Orlando.
