At 36, I moved into a building with mostly older and retired people. I have plenty of friends, and my life is fulfilling.

Jennifer Rosner (second from left) moved into an apartment with mostly older residents. Jennifer Rosner

This as-told-to essay is based on an interview with Jennifer Rosner, 42, who lives in the suburbs of Chicago. At 36, Rosner moved into an apartment complex with mostly older residents . This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

In 2019, I had moved jobs, and the office was in the suburbs. I didn't want to commute from downtown Chicago, so I decided to bite the bullet and go to the suburbs. It's a slower life and not great for dating. Everyone's married with children .

I moved into a newly built apartment building, and it turned out to be predominantly older people. I hadn't assumed that it was going to be an older group at first. Many downsized from big homes . We actually align really well in terms of life stage.…