Retirement Community Reimagined as Intentional Co-Living

Modern Elder Academy expands into shared housing for its alumni community

Apr. 6, 2026 at 3:11pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a coffee mug repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the community-focused lifestyle of the Modern Elder Academy co-living homes.Vibrant, community-focused co-living communities offer an alternative to traditional retirement homes for those seeking purpose and connection in the second half of life.Santa Fe Today

Chip Conley, co-founder of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), is creating shared rental homes near the organization's Santa Fe, New Mexico campus. The goal is to provide a community-focused living experience for MEA alumni, rather than a traditional retirement community. Conley is drawing inspiration from the independent living and camaraderie depicted in the sitcom "The Golden Girls." The co-living homes will offer private units, shared common areas, and access to campus amenities like a gym and hiking trails. Residents will be matched based on shared interests and values, with the aim of fostering a supportive, purpose-driven community.

Why it matters

As people live longer, the traditional model of retiring at 65 and spending decades in a retirement community is becoming less appealing. Conley and MEA are tapping into a growing desire for more purposeful, community-oriented living arrangements in the second half of life. Their co-living concept provides an alternative to aging alone or in an impersonal retirement facility, allowing residents to maintain independence while benefiting from shared resources and a values-aligned social network.

The details

Conley and his co-founders started MEA in 2018 with a mission to "reframe aging" as a time of personal transformation. The organization offers workshops and retreats on topics like "Cultivating Purpose" and "Navigating Transitions." After the success of their Baja Sage co-owned townhome community in Mexico, they decided to expand into shared rental homes near the Santa Fe campus. These homes will have private furnished units and shared common areas, with rents ranging from $1,950 to $3,750 per month. MEA will help match potential housemates based on interests and values, aiming to create a supportive, purpose-driven community.

  • MEA was founded in 2018.
  • The Baja Sage co-owned townhomes were first offered for sale in 2019.
  • The first MEA co-living workshop was held in mid-January 2026.
  • The first two shared rental homes in Santa Fe will be ready for move-in this spring 2026.
  • Conley plans to repeat the co-living model with several more homes in the next couple of years.

The players

Chip Conley

The 65-year-old co-founder of Modern Elder Academy, who previously founded the boutique hotel brand Joie de Vivre Hospitality and served as Airbnb's head of global hospitality and strategy.

Jeff Hamaoui

The 54-year-old co-founder of Modern Elder Academy, who proposed the idea of creating an intentional co-living community for the organization's alumni.

Modern Elder Academy (MEA)

An organization founded in 2018 with a mission to "reframe aging" by offering workshops and retreats that encourage personal transformation in the second half of life.

Baja Sage

A 26-townhome co-owned community in Baja California, Mexico, created by MEA for its alumni.

Elizabeth White

A 71-year-old author and age-solutions activist from Washington, D.C. who is considering securing a rental unit in the MEA co-living homes.

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What they’re saying

“What I appreciated about it was the independent living. It showed women as having agency with camaraderie and a certain sauciness.”

— Chip Conley, Co-founder, Modern Elder Academy

“There is something deep about having community that is values- and purpose-aligned. A community can thrive when it has a purpose that is larger than itself.”

— Jeff Hamaoui, Co-founder, Modern Elder Academy

“Co-living in a community of like-minded people would be energizing and grounding.”

— Elizabeth White, Author and age-solutions activist

What’s next

The first two shared rental homes in Santa Fe will be ready for move-in this spring 2026, and Conley plans to repeat the co-living model with several more homes in the next couple of years.

The takeaway

By creating intentional co-living communities for its alumni, Modern Elder Academy is offering an alternative to traditional retirement living that fosters a sense of purpose, belonging, and support in the second half of life. This model taps into a growing desire for more community-oriented housing options as people live longer and seek more fulfilling ways to age.