Robust Retirement

  • Trip To Israel Was Great Family Experience

    In June 2019 my wife, son, daughter-in-law and I vacationed for 10 days in Israel. My wife, son and I had last been to Israel 20 years ago and my daughter-in-law had never previously visited. We flew from Washington’s Dulles airport to Israel via Frankfurt and had a direct return flight from Israel to Washington.…

  • Converting Private Colleges To Senior Housing – Just Announced Welltower Transaction Shows Opportunity is Real

    On September 18, 2019, news sources reported the sale of the Newbury College Campus in Brookline, Massachusetts to the health care REIT Welltower for redevelopment into a senior housing community. Welltower reportedly acquired the nearly eight acre site containing 8 buildings with approximately 142,000 sq. ft. for $34 million. Welltower’s purchase confirm my view, expressed…

  • Customized Tour of Northern Italy Was Great Experience

    My wife and I spent nearly three weeks touring northern Italy in September and early October 2018.   As was the case with several of our recent vacations, we used a travel agent working with a in-country tour operator to design a customized tour for the two of us rather than joining a group.  The…

  • Finding A Good Death – Understanding and Shopping For Hospice Care

    Background Like most issues about which I post, the topic of “Finding A Good Death” arose from a personal connection. In this case when a neighbor consulted me about his sister who was being referred to hospice care after battling cancer.  While not an expert in hospice care, I have long studied seniors housing and…

  • Reusing Suburban Corporate Headquarters As CCRCs

    I had lunch yesterday with Robert Kramer, Founder and Strategic Advisor of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing and Care Industry (NIC).    In the course of our conversation, Bob mentioned that National Development and Epoch Senior Living were proposing to develop 130 units of upscale senior housing on the former headquarters of…

  • History, Nature, Art & Good Food In The Hudson River Valley

    In the second week of July my wife and I spent 5 days on vacation in the Hudson River Valley.   It is a place several friends and family members have visited and recommended and it is reachable from our home in Baltimore in a 4 – 5 hour drive.   Our primary interest was…

  • Slow 80+ Pop Growth, Elevated Construction Spark Concern For Seniors Housing

    Cited In Senior Care Investor Podcast I am republishing this blog post, originally issued in December, 2015, because it was recently cited in a podcast by Steve Monroe, Editor of Senior Care Investor, a well regarded industry newsletter, as being prescient about predicting issues being faced by senior housing and care facilities today. Background I have been…

  • Costa Rica – Great Vacation For Active Travelers & Retirement Option for Many

    My wife and I visited Costa Rica from January 6 – 15, 2018.   It is a remarkable country both politically and naturally.   A stable democracy surrounded by countries that have gone through political upheaval, dictatorship and civil war, Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 and put the money into education and healthcare.…

  • Immigration and Senior Caregiving Linked

    It has been several months since I updated my blog because I have gotten busy serving on the Board of Quality Care Properties (QCP) and with some consulting work.   I am also just back from a vacation in Costa Rica about which I hope to soon  do a post. An article in today’s (January…

  • Wall Street Journal Recommends Financial Advisor For Retirees

    I continue to find the Wall Street Journal one of the best sources of financial advice for seniors.  In the “Ask Encore” column on Monday, October 31, 1017, Glenn Ruffenach recommends that retirees retain a financial advisor, despite fees that can run to 1% of assets.  While some retirees have the skills and time to manage…

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