Nation’s Building News:  Vanilla Not a Favorite Flavor of Generation X Home Buyers

Marketing service consultants and architects summarize their research on what Gen X is looking for in their communities.

Family: “Family” includes close friends, a commitment to fewer divorces and more participation in raising their kids.  Neighborhood-oriented playgrounds, schools and daycare are prioritized.

Neighbors: Friends, not foes.  Sense of community, but without loss of individuality.  See “age of I”.  Xers are seeking more amenities that foster such comraderie - sidewalks, parks, community centers.

Technology: Friend, not foe.  Xers aren’t intimidated by programming the VCR, they’ve moved on to TiVo and internet TV.  Bring on the town-wide high-speed internet and house-wide wireless music system.

Diversity: The more diversity the better.  This is also evidenced in a growing movement toward children of mixed races and ethnic heritages - the Tiger Woods, Norah Jones of tomorrow.  According to studies by economist Richard Florida, diversity breeds serious job growth.

More tomorrow.