The pursuit of longevity and wellness among the world’s well-to-do goes back millennia in history! And is completely modern. Sotheby’s International Realty’s 2026 Mid-Year Luxury Outlook reveals what today’s upscale buyers are prioritizing in their community and home searches. The global longevity market is projected to grow from $5.3 trillion to $8 trillion by 2030, according to the report. One key segment is the older buyer who has achieved professional and investing success and is ready to fully enjoy its benefits with more leisure time.

A. Bradley Nelson, Sotheby’s chief marketing officer, observes in the report that there are different types of individuals entering the luxury market, from Zoomers in their 20s to Boomers in their 60s and beyond. “Health, wellness and lifestyle continue to be a priority across all age groups, including the desire for social connectivity,” he adds.

Location Criteria

Beyond individual homes, communities built around longevity are gaining traction, and they differ from traditional senior housing in many respects, the report reveals. High-end enclaves increasingly integrate on-site medical professionals, wellness programming and preventive care facilities. (I reported on this in 2024 for Multi-Housing News, a trade publication covering the multifamily industry, as the onsite concierge medicine trend was emerging.)

A strong influence on many older buyers is the Blue Zones concept, the report shares. Its website tagline is “Live Better, Longer,” a mantra it shares with a large portion of the older adult population. Blue Zones are communities around the world with above-average populations of centenarians. Their common attributes reflect luxury real estate preferences — an emphasis on walkability, social connectedness, access to nature, a nutritious local food system and community-oriented design — the report shows. Affluent wellness buyers also want recreational amenities like yoga, spin and Pilates classes on site, cold plunge pools, salt spa rooms, fitness centers and proximity to nature.

Aging Criteria

The world’s wealthiest homebuyers continue to age and they’re building homes to match their lifestyle needs and preferences, the report highlights. “Many buyers in their late 50s, 60s and 70s are not downsizing or moving into senior housing,” according to Miami-based Anna Sherrill with ONE Sotheby’s International Realty. “Instead, they are purchasing or staying in homes that allow them to live well for a very long time.” Health, longevity and quality of life are their buying criteria, she notes.

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The assumption that luxury property owners will eventually transition into luxury senior living or retirement communities is no longer certain, according to the report. Increasingly, many older homeowners prefer to upgrade or retrofit their current homes to accommodate their needs as they age, as opposed to relocating.

I’m one of them. When I decided it was time to sell my post-divorce townhouse for a “forever home,” I chose a single family residence in the same walkable San Diego community where I’ve been living for more than a decade. (It has many of the attributes and amenities cited above.)

I’m making my new house as safe and accessible for independent living as I possibly can, with smart shades, smart lock, smart thermostat, leak detectors and appliance changes, like a planned electric firebox in place of the existing gas model, plus an induction range with small upper oven that makes seated use possible (if needed later), and a vent hood with remote and phone app functionality.

The report shows that many affluent buyers are now seeking environments that proactively support their long-term health, resilience and overall well-being. Here’s what that looks like:

  1. Universal design elements that ensure accessibility as mobility changes over time, including a preference for single-story residences and curbless bathrooms.
  2. Direct contact with the outdoors, such as on-property hiking or walking trails, encouraging regular exercise and prioritizing privacy and quiet environments, particularly water views.
  3. Air- and water-quality optimization, including advanced filtration systems.
  4. Spa-like amenities, including sauna, steam, cold plunges, red-light therapy, massage rooms and fully equipped gyms.
  5. Integrated tech and staff to support health monitoring, mobility assistance and smart home devices.
  6. Healthy dining options, such as juice bars and access to private chefs, with an emphasis on organic products and plant-based options.

“Increasing life expectancy, coupled with affluent homebuyers’ desire to ‘age in place,’ is reshaping everything from home design and location choice to how inventory circulates in prime real estate markets,” according to Tammy Fahmi, a Sotheby’s International Realty senior vice president. Affluent owners living longer will prioritize residences that extend independent living — with fall prevention layouts, circadian lighting, air/water quality systems and integrated telehealth,” she says. “Properties that embed age friendly design with sophisticated wellness tech will command a premium over comparable trophy assets without it. Homes with main floor suites, elevator stacks, slip resistant surfaces, smart monitoring, staff quarters and wellness suites will be at a premium.”

Last Words

The aging millionaire boom is reshaping the real estate market, the Sotheby study observes. Affluent homebuyers are creating new retirement playbooks as they live longer past their corporate careers. “In this era of longevity, luxury real estate is no longer just about where you live but how well and how long you can live there,” Fahmi says.