Increasingly, some women in their 50s to 70s are exploring communal living arrangements as an alternative to traditional retirement or solitary living. This trend, sometimes referred to as “Golden Girls” living—named after the popular TV show depicting older women sharing a home—is gaining attention as a potential solution for companionship, shared resources, and mutual support among aging women.
Recent workshops held at a retreat in New Mexico, organised by the Modern Elder Academy—a school focused on midlife wisdom—have facilitated discussions around the benefits and challenges of such communal arrangements. The events, which have taken place four times with a fifth planned, have primarily focused on women, as founder Chip Conley noted that women are more likely to seriously consider cohabitation with friends as they age. Conley remarked that men rarely engage in conversations about living together in a similar way.
Participants in these workshops have discussed various aspects of communal living, weighing its potential for reducing loneliness and providing social support against concerns about personal space and privacy. A contemporaneous poll on preferred living arrangements showed that the largest group of respondents (33.7%) favored living “next door” to friends rather than sharing a house, while just 16.2% indicated a willingness to start picking roommates. Nearly 30% preferred communal living only if they could maintain separate bathrooms, and around 21% preferred living alone altogether.
Despite the appeal of shared living, scepticism remains about its practicalities. Critics note that communal households require navigating interpersonal dynamics that can be difficult, particularly as personal habits and boundaries become more entrenched with age. Examples from communal living in youth—such as awkward situations stemming from differing lifestyles or habits—highlight potential challenges that could persist or even intensify later in life. Concerns about maintaining one’s own space, managing shared chores, and respecting privacy are frequently cited.
While communal living may offer social and economic benefits, experts and participants alike acknowledge it is not suited to everyone. For many, retaining separate homes may be preferable to preserve autonomy and reduce interpersonal conflicts. As such, the concept of aging in place with nearby friends rather than under one roof appears to have broad appeal.
The dialogue continues as more people consider alternatives to traditional retirement and seek to balance companionship with independence in later years. The forthcoming workshops aim to broaden the conversation further, including inviting men to participate in future discussions.