This series explores the demographic known as Baby Boomers and how they're impacting the world around us.
Uptown Girl
While I’m a country girl at heart, once in a while I get antsy for the edgy, fast-paced life of the city. When that happens, I visit Cindy in Philadelphia. She went to college in Philly and stayed after graduation to work in a hospital. The first few times I visited her, I was scared. Everyone drove fast, horns blowing. When we walked anywhere, I thought we were going to be jumped and robbed everytime we passed a dark alley. Now, we’ve both grown up and out of the night life and go to bed the same time we used to just be heading out.
Traditionally, I visit her over a weekend about once a year. I arrive Friday evening for dinner and we sit and catch up over a bottle of wine. Saturday morning, we head out after breakfast and spend a couple hours enjoying the city: shopping, museums, art galleries, historic sites, Philly has it all. We usually skip lunch so we can treat ourselves to a fancy restaurant before going to a movie or jazz club, if we still have the energy. We like jazz clubs because you can just sit, enjoy the music and if there’s empty seats at your table, people will join you. We’ve met some interesting characters that way. Like Uncle T who wore dark glasses all night, chain smoked (at that time you still could in clubs) and bought all our drinks. We still talk about Charla who plopped down and, like a stand-up commedian, told us her whole hilarious, roller coaster life story between jazz sets.
I couldn’t live in downtown Philadelphia, but Cindy loves it. She likes popping over to the coffee shop on the way to work, stopping in the farmers market held on a closed street every Saturday, being within walking distance of work, events, entertainment, food and a variety of cultural experiences. For me, a weekend is enough.
Traditionally, I visit her over a weekend about once a year. I arrive Friday evening for dinner and we sit and catch up over a bottle of wine. Saturday morning, we head out after breakfast and spend a couple hours enjoying the city: shopping, museums, art galleries, historic sites, Philly has it all. We usually skip lunch so we can treat ourselves to a fancy restaurant before going to a movie or jazz club, if we still have the energy. We like jazz clubs because you can just sit, enjoy the music and if there’s empty seats at your table, people will join you. We’ve met some interesting characters that way. Like Uncle T who wore dark glasses all night, chain smoked (at that time you still could in clubs) and bought all our drinks. We still talk about Charla who plopped down and, like a stand-up commedian, told us her whole hilarious, roller coaster life story between jazz sets.
I couldn’t live in downtown Philadelphia, but Cindy loves it. She likes popping over to the coffee shop on the way to work, stopping in the farmers market held on a closed street every Saturday, being within walking distance of work, events, entertainment, food and a variety of cultural experiences. For me, a weekend is enough.
Uptown Boomers* like a maintenance free lifestyle and feel they deserve the best. They enjoy good entertainment, gourmet dining, and the convenience to ammenities and events that downtown living provides.
*Baby boomers are those born between 1944 and 1964. According to the “Seniors Real Estate Specialist® Council”, there are 6 major types of boomers. While no one falls entirely into one of these categories, the similarities are interesting to explore.