The Washington Times
  • Subscribe
  • Times News Services
  • RSS
  • Mobile Headlines
  • e-edition
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • REGISTER
  • LOG IN
  • E-MAIL ALERTS
  • WELCOME
  • Your Profile
  • Log Out
  • Front Page Image
  • Classifieds
  • Autos
  • Real Estate
  • Jobs
  • Special Sections
  • Customer Service
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Sports
    • NFL
    • NBA/WNBA
    • MLB
    • NHL
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsports
    • Soccer
    • NCAA
    • Olympics
    • Outdoors
    • Other
  • Culture
    • Home & Living
    • Family & Kids
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Health
    • Washington Visitors
    • Books
    • Military History
    • Life
    • Auto
    • TV Listings
    • Movie Listings
    • Death Notices
    • Entertainment
  • Themes
  • Communities
  • Shopping
    • Stores
    • Coupons
    • Daily Double
    • Promotion
    • How It Works
  • Videos
    • Two Guys
    • Birnbaum on Washington
    • Liz Glover
    • Amanda Carpenter
    • Morning Briefing
    • Documentaries
    • Joe Giganti
    • Video Game Minute
  • Podcasts
    • About Headlines
    • Audio and Radio
    • America's Morning News
  • National

    Tiger Woods injured in car accident

  • Security

    White House praises IAEA's censures of Iran

  • Business

    Wall Street tumbles on Dubai fears

  • Local

    Private funeral Friday for Pollin

  • Politics

    Ads add heat to health care debate

  • National

    At Mall of America, it's business as usual

  • World

    Drug lords finding safe haven in Bolivia

Saturday, August 14, 2004

Relatively close

Rate this story

Average 0.00
after 0 votes
Login or register to rate this story

  • Font Size -+
  • Print
  • Email
  • Comment
  • Tweet this!
  • Share
  • Article
  • Comments ()
  • Click-2-Listen
  • Videos

More Stories

  • Wall Street tumbles on Dubai fears
  • Obama calls service members on holiday
  • Gay marriage vote stalls in N.J., N.Y.
  • Shaq pays for murdered girl's funeral

By

Michael and Marilyn Spiro did not want to spend their golden years on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The highway was where they found themselves often after Mr. Spiro, an economic professor, retired from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999. Around the same time, their grown daughters, Juliet McClellan of Reston and Andra Davis of Severna Park, each were starting families of their own. The Spiros wanted to see their children and grandchildren, but were weary of the travel involved.

So in 2002, the couple decided to make Silver Spring their retirement home. The large Leisure World facility there had everything they were looking for, Mr. Spiro says. The location was just about halfway between their daughters' neighborhoods. Its proximity to Washington meant that the Spiros, who are passionate about classical music, could enjoy the District's many cultural offerings.

"The girls urged us to make the move," says Mr. Spiro, 71. "We have an excellent relationship. I never doubted for a moment they would welcome it."

Mrs. McClellan says she was surprised -- but thrilled -- when her parents announced they were leaving Pittsburgh after more than 30 years there. Mrs. Spiro died suddenly late last year, and both father and daughter say living closer together has been a great source of comfort for everyone.

"I really haven't seen a downside," says Mrs. McClellan, a human resources professional and mother of Andrew, 5, and Gabrielle, 2. "I did not grow up with grandparents close by, so I think it is wonderful for my kids. I'm glad he is close by."

Moving closer to grown children and grandchildren is a whole new option for retirees, says Elinor Ginzler, manager for independent living and long-term care for AARP. AARP does not keep official statistics on this category, but Ms. Ginzler says she can see it happening all over the country as far-flung relatives are choosing to relocate to be near one another after they don't need to be near their jobs anymore.

"First, people decide they don't want to live in their house anymore," Ms. Ginzler says. "So then they think, 'Well, where should we live?' There is that old cliche about moving South, but that is not an automatic anymore."

In fact, the Washington area has many draws for retirees, Ms. Ginzler says. The history, culture and dynamics of the nation's capital can be a big draw -- whether the retirees are looking for a contrast to their small-town life or seeking to continue being a patron of restaurants and museums in a new city.

While housing in the metropolitan area can be quite expensive, many other aspects don't have to be, Ms. Ginzler says.

"Here in Washington, you can take the grandchildren to the Smithsonian or the National Zoo, and it is free," she says. "You might only have to pay for snacks. Those things end up being a lot cheaper than in other cities."

1234567Next »

Post a comment

There are comments on this article, submit your opinion!

Commenting is disabled for this entry.
If you feel there is still something worth mentioning about this entry please contact the author or the site admin.

Ask a Question

You Report

Do you have another point of view, photos, audio, video or more information about a story?

Top Stories

Most Read

  1. EDITORIAL: Hiding evidence of global cooling
  2. Climate 'czar' says hacked e-mails don't change anything
  3. EDITORIAL: The global-cooling cover-up
  4. Grade-schooler unearths fossil at dinosaur park
  5. Top Republican lawmakers not attending State Dinner
More Top Stories »
  1. D.C. sports icon, Wizards owner Pollin dies
  2. Climate czar rejects doctored data claims
  3. PRUDEN: Trouble afoot for high priests
  4. List of W.H. state dinner guests
  5. HOLMES: Behind Obama's overseas allure

Most Shared

  1. EDITORIAL: The global-cooling cover-up
  2. PRUDEN: Trouble afoot for high priests
  3. EDITORIAL: Hiding evidence of global cooling
  4. EDITORIAL: The duty of a nation to obey God
  5. Climate 'czar' says hacked e-mails don't change anything
More Top Stories »
  1. Finance mavens gloomy
  2. Fenty's approval in D.C. divided by race
  3. Grade-schooler unearths fossil at dinosaur park
  4. Drug lords finding safe haven in Bolivia
  5. Global Warmists exposed

Most Commented

  1. Climate 'czar' says hacked e-mails don't change anything
  2. EDITORIAL: Hiding evidence of global cooling
  3. Climate czar rejects doctored data claims
  4. EDITORIAL: The global-cooling cover-up
  5. EDITORIAL: The duty of a nation to obey God
More Top Stories »
  1. PRUDEN: Trouble afoot for high priests
  2. Obama taking emissions goal to summit
  3. HOLMES: Behind Obama's overseas allure
  4. Crashers probe may become criminal investigation
  5. 9/11 families sharply split on civilian court trials

Listen to Washington Times Radio

  • America's Morning News

    with John McCaslin and Melanie Morgan

Blogs & Columns

  • Hot Button Blog

    RNC: Breast cancer recommendations may lead to 'rationing'

  • Belief Blog

    Evangelicals OK civil disobedience

  • Out of Context

    Foods that might kill libido

  • On the Fly

    United lifts some 'award' blocking

  • Technology

    Facebook wins round against phishing spammer

  • Redskins 360

    Hall out, Rogers will start

  • SNOBlog

    Beyond 'Woody'

Videos

Advertising Links
TWT Store
  • e-edition
  • Print Edition
  • Weekly Washington Times
TWT Affiliates
  • Middle East Times
  • Golf
  • UPI
  • Arbor Ballroom
  • Washington Times Global
  • About TWT
  • Press Room
  • F.A.Q.
  • Work for TWT
  • Advertise
  • Sponsors
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

All site contents © Copyright 2009 The Washington Times, LLC.