{"id":4867,"date":"2024-03-15T11:12:20","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T11:12:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/15\/are-blue-zones-where-residents-live-to-100-good-for-real-estate-too\/"},"modified":"2024-03-15T11:12:20","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T11:12:20","slug":"are-blue-zones-where-residents-live-to-100-good-for-real-estate-too","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/2024\/03\/15\/are-blue-zones-where-residents-live-to-100-good-for-real-estate-too\/","title":{"rendered":"Are \u2018Blue Zones\u2019 Where Residents Live to 100 Good for Real Estate, Too?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

Courtesy of Hart Howerton \/ Getty Images \/ Realtor.com<\/p>\n

While no one can live forever, certain places on Earth are rumored to be teeming with residents who live longer than average\u2014even to 100 with astonishing regularity.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re called \u201cBlue Zones,\u201d a term coined by Dan Buettner<\/strong>, who discovered through his research five places around the world that he claims boast a significant share of centenarians. They are Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, CA.<\/p>\n

But a similar region planned for longevity and vitality might soon spring up in New York\u2019s Hudson Valley.<\/p>\n

Developer and architect Jonathan Leitersdorf<\/strong> has hatched plans to bring such a wellness park to Pawling, NY<\/a>. He\u2019s already created similar wellness resorts, called Six Senses<\/a>, in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.<\/p>\n

The proposed development would occupy a 600-acre parcel of undeveloped farmland between Pawling and Dover. The purchase is not finalized and will be contingent on the town approving the developer\u2019s plans, says the project\u2019s broker, Brian McGrath <\/strong>of McGrath Realty.<\/p>\n

Although Blue Zones is trademarked<\/a>, the proposal presented to the Pawling community in February referenced the designation.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarkdale Park will introduce unique programs with specialized techniques in the quest for longevity, similar to methods identified by Dan Buettner in his explanation of Blue Zones,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

The developer would build what he calls a \u201cUtopian village\u201d over the farmland, including a boutique hotel, spa, retail stores, hiking trails, outdoor recreation facilities, homes, and even a village square. The Appalachian Trail is only a quarter-mile south of the proposed site.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe minute you arrive, your pulse goes down,\u201d says the 23-page proposal unveiled at a town meeting. \u201cWe will bring a certain quality of life to our customers, a sustainable life \u2026 which makes the community alive, exciting, and full.\u201d<\/p>\n

A map of the proposed Blue Zone-style Starkdale Park in Pawling, NY<\/p>\n

Courtesy of Hart Howerton<\/p>\n\n

Is a \u2018Blue Zone\u2019 good or bad for real estate?<\/h2>\n

The nine \u201cpower principles<\/a>\u201d of Blue Zone areas can be summed up as follows:<\/p>\n

Daily movement such as walking, housework, and gardening\u2014no intense exercise required.
\nEating only until you\u2019re 80% full, along with small dinners, and avoiding late-night snacks.
\nA plant-based diet, with meat in moderation of once or less per week.
\nAlcohol in moderation, ideally wine, no more than one to two glasses per day.
\nA sense of purpose\u2014particularly important for retirees who may not need to work a job.
\nA stress reduction routine such as napping, prayer, or socializing.
\nBelong to a faith-based group; the exact religion or denomination does not matter.
\nLive close to supportive family members, even if they\u2019ve grown up and left the house.
\nStrong social ties within your local community.<\/p>\n

Some of the nine \u201cpower principles\u201d of Blue Zone areas are to eat a plant-based diet, move around regularly, and belong to a faith-based community.<\/p>\n

Getty Images<\/p>\n\n

While being in a wellness park sounds nice in theory, many Pawling locals say there is nothing utopian about the idea of a massive resort in the middle of their quiet, rural landscape.<\/p>\n

One neighbor told the New York Post<\/a> he was \u201cterrified,\u201d and on a Town of Pawling Facebook post<\/a> about the proposal, some locals were skeptical.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs it going to be a closed community for the super-rich?\u201d one poster wanted to know.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe color is not blue, it\u2019s green for only a chosen few,\u201d snarked another.<\/p>\n

Residents aren\u2019t the only skeptics.<\/p>\n

Buettner, who coined the phrase and devoted his life to researching these areas, told the Post he has nothing to do with the project.<\/p>\n

\u2018The town should grow\u2019<\/h2>\n

Pawling, NY<\/p>\n

Wikimedia<\/p>\n\n

Although Leitersdorf could not be reached for comment, he did attend a community meeting in Pawling on Tuesday along with McGrath, the project\u2019s real estate broker.<\/p>\n

\u201cAround 300 people showed up. They had a lot of questions,\u201d says McGrath, who encouraged residents to keep an open mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe town should grow a little bit,\u201d McGrath says. \u201cWe haven\u2019t had a real new development in this town in years. [Leitersdorf] wants to make this a healthy community. He wants gardens and farmers markets.\u201d<\/p>\n

McGrath adds that Leitersdorf has been to other Blue Zones and was inspired by what he saw, and used this designation purely for \u201cmarketing.\u201d<\/p>\n

While the resort will likely take a few years to be built, McGrath thinks this will be good for homeowners in the area because \u201creal estate values here will definitely go up.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also theorizes that the park\u2019s residents would use the housing as second and weekend homes, and not be putting their children into the local school system.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve heard people worried this will increase school taxes,\u201d he adds. \u201cIf anything, they\u2019d go down.\u201d<\/p>\n

The towns of Pawling and Dover could also pressure the developer to create a certain amount of affordable housing as a condition of approval.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo doubt it\u2019s ruffling some people,\u201d McGrath says. \u201cBut a lot of people are behind it, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018People tend to shun what\u2019s new\u2019<\/h2>\n

The town of Pawling isn\u2019t all farmland. Only a few miles away is Whaley Lake, where residents pay millions for their secluded lakefront homes.<\/p>\n

The last house of \u201cMr. Titanic\u201d Paul-Henri Nargeolet<\/strong>, who died in the Titan submersible accident in June 2023, has gone up for sale there for $1.7 million<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And Daryl\u2019s House, a local music venue, is owned by former resident Daryl Hall<\/strong>, of the \u201980s pop group Hall & Oates<\/strong>. In 2017, Hall sued the town when it tried to limit the venue\u2019s maximum occupancy, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Real estate agent Harriet Norris<\/strong>, who currently has a $6.5 million listing<\/a> for a 25.5-acre, 43-room Elizabethan manor house and equestrian estate on Quaker Hill Road, is all for the proposed development plan.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s 600 acres doing no one any good,\u201d she says. \u201cThis could be a very welcome addition to the Pawling community.\u201d<\/p>\n

She notes that the self-contained development would bring much-needed jobs to the area, spruce up ragged rural roads now dotted with empty retail, and boost property values.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople were against Lincoln Center and Hudson Yards at first, too,\u201d she points out. \u201cAnd those are wonderful additions to their neighborhoods. People tend to shun what\u2019s new. I don\u2019t see a downside.\u201d<\/p>\n

A closer look at America\u2019s only Blue Zone<\/h2>\n

But is a Blue Zone status good or bad for real estate? For the answer, one need only to look to Loma Linda, CA<\/a>\u2014the only city in the U.S. that has earned this status. And certain savvy local real estate agents there know this and play it up in their listings.<\/p>\n

Take, for instance, this recently listed house at 11511 Milford Haven Drive<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cLive in Loma Linda, the only Blue Zone in the United States, and enjoy everything this healthy, vibrant community has to offer,\u201d says the listing for the $675,000 house.<\/p>\n

Loma Linda, CA, house for sale on Milford Haven Drive<\/p>\n

Realtor.com<\/p>\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a selling point,\u201d says Janet Burke<\/strong> of Re\/Max Advantage, who has sold residential real estate in the area for almost 30 years.<\/p>\n

Her $749,900 single-family home listing at 26379 Francisco Lane<\/a> is touted as \u201cnestled in the serene hills of Loma Linda \u2026 on a peaceful cul-de-sac within the renowned Blue Zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

This house was just sold for $749,900 on Francisco Lane in Loma Linda.<\/p>\n

Realtor.com<\/p>\n\n

The home attracted a lot of interest and was in escrow as of publication. A disappointed Los Angeles bidder who did not snag the home was shopping in Loma Linda specifically because she wanted to live in a Blue Zone, notes Burke.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople want to live around that support for living a healthy lifestyle,\u201d she says, noting that she always uses the designation in her Loma Linda listings.<\/p>\n

Loma Linda likely earned its Blue Zone status due to its large Seventh-day Adventist population, which not only accepts the tenet of having a faith-based practice but also eschews alcohol. Nonetheless, many who don\u2019t belong to this religious group still flock to the area.<\/p>\n

Though Loma Linda is the only official Blue Zone in the U.S., many communities nationwide are trying to embrace a healthier lifestyle by rolling out more hiking and biking trails, farmers markets, gyms, and wellness resorts. And in general, these amenities do have a positive impact on the community and its real estate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen wellness resorts like Canyon Ranch in Tucson, AZ, and Lenox, MA, have a positive impact on real estate values, attracting affluent buyers seeking a healthy lifestyle,\u201d says Mike Rhoads<\/strong>, president of Wild North Home Offers<\/a>, who\u2019s been following the proposed plans in Pawling with \u201cgreat interest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSuch developments can attract health-conscious individuals and contribute to a vibrant, active community and enhance the overall quality of life, potentially boosting property values in the area,\u201d he says. \u201cAdditionally, these resorts could create job opportunities and stimulate local economic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, there are also potential drawbacks to consider.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome residents may be concerned about increased traffic, noise, and disruptions to the existing community character,\u201d Rhoads warns. \u201cThere may also be worries about the affordability of living in an area with upscale wellness amenities, which could lead to gentrification and displacement of longtime residents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rhoads offers this advice to homeowners living in areas where wellness resorts are proposed: \u201cIt\u2019s essential to stay informed and engaged in the planning process. Consider attending community meetings, voicing concerns, and advocating for responsible development that preserves the local character. \u2026 Research the potential impact of the proposed development on property values and lifestyle amenities carefully.\u201d<\/p>\n

Martin Orefice<\/strong>, CEO of Rent To Own Labs<\/a>, points out that having a high-end resort in town can raise real estate values. Odds are this resort chose Pawling because it was already on the upswing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt $405,000, the average home price in Pawling is already considerably higher than in much of the country,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, whether Pawling will ever be designated a Blue Zone is unknown. Buettner selected his five Blue Zones through lengthy research on their populations, particularly locals who\u2019ve reached 100 years of age. Even if Pawling\u2019s new wellness park residents begin reaching this milestone with regularity, it will take years for these results to unfold.<\/p>\n

The post Are \u2018Blue Zones\u2019 Where Residents Live to 100 Good for Real Estate, Too?<\/a> appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com\u00ae<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Courtesy of Hart Howerton \/ Getty Images \/ Realtor.com While no one can live forever, certain places on Earth are rumored to be teeming with residents who live longer than average\u2014even to 100 with astonishing regularity. They\u2019re called \u201cBlue Zones,\u201d a term coined by Dan Buettner, who discovered through his research five places around the…Read More→<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":4868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4867","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4867"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4867\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4867"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4867"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/billingsrealtybrokers.paradiseinnovations.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4867"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}