It should be no surprise to anyone watching the Economic Development Authority and their efforts to craft an Economic Development Plan, Northfield’s success in attracting retirees indicates that we must have many of the amenities that are most desired by this group.

The topic is not unimportant to economic development. In Monday’s Wall Street Journal, there was an article on the topic. Apparently, what is most important to retirees is changing. Although weather and leisure remain significant, increasingly retirees are looking for a community where they can make friends and connections quickly, “whether its a small town or a walkable neighborhood in a big city”. One retiree described it, “You’re walking around, and you get to know your neighbors, you get to know the shopkeepers, because you meet them on the street”.

Hmmm, sounds like our authentic downtown with its walkable shopping district to me…

The article goes on to say that people are looking for “a store-lined Main Street, a coffee shop, and a local theater and museum or two”. They are also looking for opportunities to get involved. Kyle Ezell, who wrote a guide called “Retire Downtown” describes this new lifestyle. “They volunteered at the theater as an usher. Or they served on a task force for helping the homeless. Or they worked at a marathon handing out water. They just can’t believe how much activity they’re invloved in, and they can’t help it because it’s all right outside their front door.”

Well, the next thing you know, they’ll be running for City Council…

Many of the retirees are looking for recreational and cultural activities. They want to stroll along the lake for exercise, walk to restaurants for dinner, take in a show at the theater or an exhibition at a gallery, and catch a college football game on weekends. Some of them focus with great passion on an avocation that for so long was unexplored due to the demands of their vocation.

No wonder Northfield is so popular with retired Lutheran Ministers…
…now if we could just tweak the mix to make it almost as appealing to recent college graduates.