College students in US are choosing to live in retirement communities for affordable housing

The programme is designed for students who genuinely want to engage with older residents rather than simply save money. (Picture credit: Marquette) For 23-year-old Indian student Shojin Samson, moving to the United States did not mean living in a student hostel or sharing an apartment. Instead, he found himself surrounded by hundreds of older neighbours, a decision that helped him save on rent while finding the family connection he had long missed.When most students move to university, they look for housemates their own age. But Some students in the United States are doing the opposite. Instead of noisy student flats and late-night parties, some college students are ending their evenings in quiet retirement communities. In return for affordable rent, they volunteer a few hours each week and build friendships with older residents.For students, the arrangement provides a safe place to live, lower living costs and a sense of community. For older residents, it brings regular company, fresh energy and meaningful interactions. Programmes like these are slowly expanding in the United States as organisations look for ways to address both housing affordability and loneliness.One such studen...