Readers sent us their ideas for a dream home and community for aging

"Converting a motel into senior housing is not just an idea, we have put this idea into practice on a small scale! In March 2020 it was necessary to put my brother into assisted living

for recovery from a medical problem. By the end of the month, the COVID-19 pandemic had been declared, and his nice, friendly residence was put into lockdown. He didn't get to enjoy the

freedom we were expecting. No more bus tours or outings, no communal gatherings. They did their best, but it just wasn't appealing. My brother became fearful of dying from COVID. He

repeatedly told me so over the phone because I wasn't allowed to visit. He didn't want to die there. The Solution: We purchased a small motel — the Lake Davis Resort — in northern

California. We figured a motel room was about as big as an assisted living studio, and we figured that if we could rent enough of the other rooms to the general public, we could pay the

bills and also save the $3,145 monthly fee for assisted living. As a bonus, the resort had four cabins, two of which we have used for other family. My brother, who is now 83, has since

recovered and is ready to get back to more independent living. Exit Plan: We hope to sell to someone who can make the property available for other seniors who want some independence but

can't afford the other options. The resort is walking distance to a fishing lake and a small convenience store. The nearby community has helpful neighbors, a library, a senior meal

served at the veteran's hall, and a railroad museum that is always looking for volunteers." ANOTHER MOTEL-AS-HOME 'WISH LIST' AARP.org/ADUS ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS Learn

about ADUs and order or download our free publications. From: NANCY M., 73 (Los Angeles, California) "I would love to live in a motel for older folks. Right now, I'm living in a

450-square-foot apartment, similar to the studio floor plan in the article, located in an inexpensive neighborhood that I can't afford. I have applied to be on wait lists for affordable

senior housing. Most of them are either closed, or open for a few days every 5 to 10 years, and those who get on the lists usually wait another 5 to 10 years for an apartment to open.

I've modified Kitty Russell's desirable features to match my own: to have cats welcome and no loud, barking dogs allowed; to have a room with a view and a swimming pool for those

of us who rely on using it for exercise because walking isn't an option; to live in the city in a safe and clean area; to have my own private place in a building that is well-maintained

by management; to have a good place to park my car and other transportation options when needed; to have secure and reliable cable/internet access; to be close to shopping for groceries and

supplies; to be within a reasonable distance from my medical group; and to have housing at a price I can afford!" SAFETY AND SIMPLICITY  From: MARTHA G., 66 (Sacramento, California)

"I really like the motel idea described in the article for all the reasons Kitty Russell listed _plus_ the fact that it would be more affordable. So many senior communities have a lot

of expensive bells and whistles, pricey amenities that a lot of us don't especially want or need. What is needed is a comfortable, quiet, safe living place including most all the

features listed in the article. (I am concerned about the desire to have "neighbors of all ages" simply because increases the likelihood of noise, crime, etc., that many seniors

want to escape.) The following features are most important to me: to have my own place, but for someone else to maintain it; to have transportation options — and a place to park my car; to

have housing available at a price I'm willing and able to pay." A COZY COMMUNITY From: DEBORAH F., 71 (Fort Myers, Florida) "I've had an idea about a workable retirement

community consisting of approximately 20 small, simple studio or one-bedroom cottages with minimal kitchen facilities (fridge, microwave, sink) clustered around a central building that would

house a general community area, dining area, kitchen and nursing facility (not a hospital or inpatient center, more like a clinic) to help with everyday health issues. The staff would

consist of residential services personnel, such as cooks (possibly servers if necessary) and healthcare professionals. Also, some maintenance personnel for repairs and grounds upkeep.

Residents could use the general area facilities or not depending on their ability to live independently. All of the buildings would be ground level and would have paths connecting them. The

grounds would be suitably landscaped with flowers and seating areas and there would also be a vegetable garden." Photo credits: Lake Davis Resort | Melissa Stanton, AARP | rendering

from Northeast Collaborative Architects, as published in Making Room (AARP.org/MakingRoom) CREATIVE CONVERSIONS SOME OF OUR READERS' SOLUTIONS ALREADY EXIST IN SOME FORMS IN SOME

PLACES, BUT THESE OPTIONS AND MORE ARE NEEDED IN MORE PLACES AND AT MORE PRICE POINTS.  * Motel housing at the Lake Davis Resort in PORTOLA, CALIFORNIA (learn more below). * A former school

building (c. 1903) in SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK, now contains condominium apartments. * Located in PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, and recognized as the nation's first enclosed shopping mall

(est. 1828), The Arcade fell into disuse in the late 20th century. In 2013, the building was revitalized with retail limited to the street-level and micro apartments — ranging from 225 to

300 square feet — added to the upper floors. _Page published July 2023_ MORE ABOUT HOUSING All of our housing articles and publications can be found by visiting the AARP Livable Communities

Housing Archive.