What an absurdly divisive title. As if every single boomer is buying an elevator right now specifically to spite other generations. Why not point out the more obvious demographic that is actually doing this: wealthy people. It was nothing to do with age and everything to do with how much disposable untaxed income you have lying around.
Spoken like someone who hasn't met many rich people. I went to a private school and having an elevator in your house was a way to say you were more rich than the other rich people. Rich 30 somethings are absolutely installing elevators just because they can.
Good reminder that people should have a conversation with their parents about the fact that they wil probably end up unable to go up and down stairs at some point and that if they want to keep living in a house for a long time then a two storey house might not be the best solution...
We moved my parents from a two storey to a one storey about fifteen years ago and damn if it wasn't one of the best decisions we (the extended family) ever made. Dad got a mobility disorder not three years later and we went from twenty stair steps in the house to three. The front porch, the back porch, and the step into the garage. We even got a wheelchair ramp installed, which was great for my SIL (she uses one). The timing was fortuitous.
Exceptions. WTF Most boomers are not wealthy, but according to Reddit they’re all drinking gold flaked champagne. Are your parents rich or grandparents? Here’s a secret most prople you meet are not wealthy.
Pretty much, the first thing the interviewed couple mentions is that they're building an elevator in order to keep living in their home as they grow older (and assumedly become impaired due to age).
This is yet another reason why we need proper "aging in place" infrastructure like small retirement communities right near where people live, so people can both stay in their community but also get more appropriate accommodations as they age. Not only that, but those retirement communities will free up plenty of housing for younger people who are struggling to find housing.
I cannot fathom how an old couple manages to maintain a 5 bedroom, 3 storey house for just the 2 of them. Maybe a handful of times a year the house is full with family. It just seems like a lot of air to heat/cool, a lot of furniture that doesn't get used, a lot of appliances and land to maintain, and a lot of wasted room in the house when they probably only use a kitchen, bedroom, and living room the majority of the time.
My grandparents did this. Rather than downsizing after the fire and moving closer to services, they rebuilt their house even bigger and added an elevator, then asked all their kids to drive them around. Not ideal.
My dudes, I think you all got it wrong. I want an elevator in my next home. So when I get older and the boomers get closer to fossilized under ground, I'll be out there finding the right home with an elevator.
If there's any anger here, it should be directed towards the bankers and billionaires. They keep racking up the money and we keep getting screwed instead of having enough to afford our own elevator.... eventually.