The Age-In-Place Revolution Begins at Home

Unsurprisingly, the overwhelming majority of retirees and soon-to-be retirees would prefer to stay in their current locations. However, 44 percent of those age 50-plus expect to relocate at some point to live in homes and communities that can better support their desire to age in place, according to the latest edition of AARP’s national Home and Community Preferences Survey.

The homeowners we spoke with chose to make a cross-country move from the Pacific Northwest to North Carolina to build their new home. “We had both grown up in the eastern half of the U.S. and we wanted to be closer to things here, where we could drive everywhere,” instead of having to fly, they explained. When asked why they chose Asheville, they said they loved the city's restaurants and music scene. Being closer to their children and grandchildren was also a factor.

They chose Reynolds Mountain in Asheville to build their new home because of the proximity to the city center and the views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. “We're about five miles from downtown, and have a view that's really nice, and we can take advantage of all the things that Asheville has.”

Having plenty of room to host friends and family was a priority but so was making the most of the home’s dramatic views and natural beauty of the surrounding countryside, as well as striking a thoughtful balance between openness and a desire for privacy.

The home has a low and unobtrusive profile from the entrance. According to the homeowners, visitors are often caught off-guard by the true dimensions of the home, since so much of it is not visible from the street. But an entryway built around expansive glass unfolds into a spacious, airy interior space with inspiring views of the surrounding landscape at every turn. “We recognized that the view was the thing we were trying to capture, so the windows that were put in have a lot to do with that.”

And there are a lot of windows. More than 100, in fact. Engineered to provide maximum design flexibility and handcrafted beauty, as well as superior performance, windows and doors from the Marvin Ultimate collection were the perfect choice. Natural light illuminates the interior during the day, and the breathtaking mountain scenery beckons visitors outside to enjoy a spacious patio.

The windows and doors might provide a physical separation between the home and the natural beauty surrounding it. But the brilliant design of the space makes that separation all but invisible. And while the homeowners knew what they wanted to accomplish, they were surprised and delighted by the experience provided by the finished home. “Our friends say they have ‘window envy.’”