Bloomington appeals to retirees, Wall Street Journal article says

In a small city with 39,000 students, 78-year-old Pat Bayer doesn’t mind the young people “running around like crazy.”

“I think it’s interesting,” Bayer said, who now lives in Meadowood Retirement Community just north of IU, “to see how the other half lives.”

Bayer is like many other retirees who have decided to spend their leisurely days in Bloomington, according to a Sept. 13 article in the Wall Street Journal. The article cites many of the same aspects that Bloomington communication director Daniel Lopez mentions as well: a big arts scene, Big Ten athletics, close proximity to lakes and parks, a low cost of living, diversity and being just an hour away from a big city.
“I don’t think it’s surprising that they want to come and live where students are,” Lopez said. “I think that specifically is what enables this community to have those amenities.”

Other retirees living at Meadowood are certainly taking advantage of it. The retirement community plans trips to campus several times a week, including dinners at ethnic restaurants on Fourth Street, going to shows at the auditorium, as well as concerts at the Jacobs School of Music.

Last week, many of the retirees saw Joshua Bell and Bill Cosby perform at IU. The community also offers opportunities for them to take continuing education classes.
“Retired people want to be educated just like you do,” Bayer said. “We don’t expect to sit around and do nothing. That’s unfortunate that people think of retirement communities, but that’s very untrue.”

Shirley Krutilla came here after her son, who was teaching at IU, told her how wonderful Bloomington was. She’s only been in Bloomington three months, but says she loves that so much is going on in a university town.

“I like a small town,” Krutilla said. “The thing that really strikes me is it’s so pleasant to be in a small Midwestern place where the people are so pleasant. ... I mean, it’s incredible.”

The cost of living might be the most attractive part for retirees who settle here. Elizabeth Kehoe, executive vice president of the Bloomington Board of Realtors, said the median home price in 2008 so far has been $142,500. While home prices throughout the country have greatly fluctuated in the last couple of years, Bloomington’s have stayed close to the same. In 2007, the median home price was $145,000, she said.

“Real estate’s local, and a lot of times when you read national stories that’s going to be a bigger picture,” Kehoe said. “I think that’s always been a good investment to have a home in Bloomington. The property values are maintained here.”
Mike McAfee, executive director of the Bloomington/Monroe County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the Wall Street Journal article simply echoed what has already been going on in Bloomington for a long time.

“I think Bloomington is a great place for anyone to retire,” he said. “Again, because of the university, the culture here and all the stuff that goes with that – it’s a great place.”
But as for the retirees, does being around such a large group of 18- to 23-year-olds ever get frustrating? Most answer with an emphatic ‘no.’

“I think living with young people tends to keep us young,” said Barbara Reichle who retired here five years ago. “A lot of people will avoid driving down through the campus because there’s so much traffic. I kind of enjoy it.”

Bayer echoed that being around students makes their lives more interesting.
“It’s fun to see how you’re all acting,” she said. “Some of you act pretty bad. It’s a little bit different than during our day. We were very disciplined.”