Women explore ‘Golden Girls’ style retirement
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In New Mexico, Elizabeth White hosts retreats for women aged 50 to 70 to explore the possibility of living together in retirement, inspired by the television show The Golden Girls.
These women, including Michelle Harper, Ariel Morvan, and Martha Morrill, attend the workshops to discuss the practical and emotional challenges of shared living arrangements.
Chip Conley, founder of Modern Elder Academy (MEA), a “midlife wisdom school,” facilitates these sessions, believing that the show anticipated a desire for independence and community in later life. Conley created MEA because people are living longer without guidance on how to find meaning in those extra years. He observed that many want to maintain their autonomy while also avoiding loneliness, and that shared living could offer companionship and support.
Participants acknowledged that successful communal living requires clear communication, boundaries, and transparency. One group of participants, calling themselves the “Bettys” after Betty White, found that establishing shared values and open communication was key to their harmonious experience. Conley noted a growing trend of Gen X and Boomers questioning traditional retirement expectations and seeking more fulfilling ways to age, focusing on social connection and purpose alongside financial security.
