When photographer Flip Schulke was assigned to the federal photo project Documerica in the 1970s, he paid particular attention to the network of inexpensive retirement hotels that had blossomed in South Beach Florida. Retirees, mainly from colder climates, could find a home in a warm spot for not too much money. Senior communities with condominiums sprouted up in the same period, but for those without the money to buy, these places were a cheaper alterative.
Unlike hotels with transient populations, retirement hotels offered a chance for friendship circles to take shape. We can guess that these three woman probably didn’t know one another before they made the move South. They certainly have different style of dress. The woman on the right looks like she wandered down from her room in her housedress. The one on the left is slightly more dressed up, with shoes matching her outfit. Fanciest of all is the woman in the middle. She has added a necklace to her outfit, along with matching shoes and handbag.
From this vintage postcard it looks like they had claimed prime front step real estate, grabbing the chairs located under the larger hotel awning. And when it got too hot for comfort, they could head inside to the air conditioning.
These residency hotels were eventually torn down. Where can seniors go now for low cost retirement housing?
Named after Simon?