Despite the abundance of retirement communities in the US, none compare to The Villages in Central Florida. Home to nearly 150,000 residents and spanning an area larger than Manhattan, it is the world's largest retirement community and the only one that can be considered a city for older adults. Based on in-depth interviews with 40 residents and two months of participant observations, this captivating and insightful book delves into the aging experience in The Villages. It explores why people move there, their perceptions of its rapid growth, changes in their daily activities upon moving and over time, social involvement and leisure constraints, and their sense of identity and community. In doing so, this book unveils how The Villages' unique characteristics profoundly impact residents' well-being and offers a glance into the future of old age.

‘Dr. Nimrod provides an effective and detailed description of the complexity of aging in place, the importance of addressing effects of aging in a retirement metropolis, the problem of ageism, and limitations with leisure-oriented retirement communities given equity challenges created by catering to people with substantial wealth.’

John Dattilo - Professor Emeritus, Penn State University, USA, and author of Leisure Education Program Planning

‘This uniquely personal and academic exploration of the world’s largest retirement community challenges preconceptions and asks important questions about finding new meaning, fulfilment and fun as we age.’

Celia Dodd - author of Not Fade Away: How to Thrive in Retirement

‘Galit Nimrod eloquently triangulates theoretical, applied, and empirical evidence from 40 in-depth interviews with a wide variety of residents of the villages in central Florida to articulate both the advantages and difficulties faced by mature individuals and couples relocating to a truly unique ‘Seniorland’ retirement metropolis of 150,000+ residents.’

Kenneth S. Shultz - author of Happy Retirement: The Psychology of Reinvention

‘Seniorland offers a rare window into what daily life looks and feels like inside an age-segregated retirement metropolis. Drawing on in-depth interviews and her own observations, Galit Nimrod brings nuance to an often idealised or dismissed model of later-life living. A valuable resource for professionals working in ageing, housing, wellbeing, or life design beyond midlife.’

Denise Taylor - author of Rethinking Retirement for Positive Ageing