The Midlife Chrysalis Could Golden Girls–Style Living Be the Future of Midlife Housing?
9 snips
Jan 14, 2026 
Chip Conley, founder of Modern Elder Academy and a hospitality entrepreneur, delves into the innovative concept of Golden Girls-style living aimed at combatting loneliness among solo agers. He discusses the rise of gray divorce and its impact on women's housing situations. Conley explores why traditional housing models no longer meet midlife needs and shares insights from his Santa Fe pilot project. With a focus on community and connection, he shares strategies for roommate matching and long-term affordability—reimagining how we can thrive in our later years.
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Why Golden Girls Homes Are Timely
- Aging demographics, gray divorce, loneliness, and obsolete housing stock converge to create a new need for shared midlife housing.
- Chip Conley argues these forces make Golden Girls–style homes timely and scalable as a housing solution.
Social Care Trumps Clinical Care For Longevity
- Most caregiving needs for people 60+ are socially oriented rather than clinical.
- Harvard research shows social connection is the top longevity factor, outweighing trendy health hacks.
Santa Fe Pilot Homes Purchased
- Chip bought two pilot homes in Santa Fe: a 6-bedroom 5,000 sq ft house and a 3-bedroom 2,100 sq ft house.
- He plans workshops and proximity to MEA amenities to test living arrangements and community building.
