Where You Can Retire Like a Millionaire

With posh apartments, spas, string quartets and haute cuisine, luxury continuing care communities pamper residents in style

- BY EILEEN DASPIN

ERICA JONG HAD THE AUDIENCE'S RAPT attention. The 82-year-old writer, famous for her 1970s bestseller Fear of Flying, was discussing creativity and her need to capture the world around her in prose and poetry.

Hands shot up with questions: “What was it like growing up in a literary family?” “What made you want to write?” “Can you describe the process you use to decide on a theme for a new book?”

As Jong spoke, sunlight streamed through 24-foot windows. Just outside, trees swayed in the breeze; inside, where the crowd had gathered, it looked like money. The walls were clad in red onyx marble; the beamed ceiling crafted from white oak.

Jong and her audience were ensconced on the 17th floor of a retirement living facility called the Carnegie Hill Inspir (inspire) in New York City. Jong lives in the complex. So do most of those who were in attendance.

Some afternoons, the residents pass the time serenaded by a string quartet. Others, they might pop into the onsite spa for a facial, or enjoy a cocktail in the lobby bar furnished like a 5-star hotel. It's the crème de la crème, says resident Marilyn Snyder. "There is nothing that compares to this." LEEN

Upscale retirement living

The retirement living industry is upping its game. With older Baby Boomers aging out of active living, developers are pivoting to retirement homes that allow the wealthy to age in place and in style.

Called continuing care retirement communities, these complexes offer independent living, assisted living and memory care, all within the same building or campus. The goal is to make aging as seamless as possible.