BURLINGTON — City residents over age 45 say that Burlington would be a great place to grow old, but many worry about whether that will be affordable.
That’s the upshot from a survey conducted over the summer by the American Association of Retired People (AARP), which quizzed 500 Burlingtonians over 45 who are registered to vote.
Seventy-four percent of respondents said they would like to stay in their current neighborhood as they age, but nearly half — 48 percent — say they fear the cost of living will force them to leave the city. The survey found strong support for low- and moderate-income housing to help address the problem.
Other highlights from the survey show that older residents favor steps to make the city more pedestrian and bike friendly, such as shared pedestrian and bike paths and audible crossing signals.
Residents over 65 are 10 percent of Burlington’s population, and nationally they’re the fastest growing segment of the population, expected to increase 55 percent by 2030, according to the AARP report accompanying its survey.
That means making Burlington livable for an aging population should be a priority, and collecting data on what’s important to them is an important part of that process, according to Greg Marchildon, AARP state director for Vermont.
“Given the aging demographic trends in Burlington, and Vermont in general, it is essential to get real data from residents on what their concerns and needs are as they strive to stay in their homes while they age,” Marchildon said in a statement released with the survey results.
To read the full survey click here.
