“The good life is built with good relationships.” — Robert Waldinger, Harvard Study of Adult Development

What if your retirement plan wasn’t just about finances—but about friendships? What if instead of aging alone or moving into a retirement community, you built a vibrant “longevity village” with your closest friends?

That idea is gaining traction, and for good reason. As lifespans increase, so does the need for meaningful connection, support, and shared purpose. A longevity village—a lifestyle where friends or chosen family age together intentionally—offers more than convenience. It offers community, joy, and healthier aging.

The Harvard Study of Adult Development, one of the longest studies on human happiness, found that the people who are most satisfied in their relationships at age 50 are the healthiest at age 80 (Harvard Gazette). Relationships aren’t just nice to have. They’re essential to thriving over a lifetime.

So how can you begin designing a longevity village of your own—with people who inspire you to live brilliantly into your 90s and beyond?

1. Define What “Village” Means to You

A longevity village doesn’t have to be a literal shared property (although some are!). It could be co-housing, a cluster of homes in the same neighborhood, or simply an intentional commitment to show up for one another regularly. The key is proximity + purpose + people.

Think about your ideal living scenario: Do you want shared meals? Regular outings? Help with errands or wellness? Emotional check-ins? Make your vision clear.

Action Step: Start by writing your own longevity lifestyle manifesto. What kind of relationships, environment, and rhythm of life would support you most as you age?

2. Start the Conversation With Trusted Friends

Many people dream of aging with their friends—but few actually talk about it. Starting the conversation is the first courageous step. You might be surprised how many are craving the same thing.

“Loneliness is not just a feeling—it’s a health risk.” Research from the National Institute on Aging links social isolation to higher risks of dementia, heart disease, and depression (NIA Study on Loneliness).

Action Step: Invite a few close friends for a longevity dinner or Zoom call. Share your vision and ask, “What would it look like for us to age well—together?”

3. Research Models That Already Exist

This concept is more than an idea—it’s a global movement. Around the world, communities like the “Golden Girls Network,” “Hope Meadows,” and “Baba Yaga Place” in France are showing that friendship-based living works.

Organizations likeVillage to Village Network support neighborhood-based aging-in-place models, helping members stay in their homes longer with community support and volunteer systems.

Action Step: Explore real-life models of intentional aging communities and share one with your group. Ask: What elements could we replicate, adapt, or build locally?

4. Create Shared Rituals Before You Share a Roof

You don’t have to wait to live together to start living like a village. Create regular rhythms of connection now—monthly dinners, fitness meetups, hobby clubs, shared childcare or eldercare support.

These rituals foster trust, joy, and interdependence—all key to long-term community living.

Action Step: Launch one recurring “longevity ritual” with friends this month—a book club, dinner rotation, or walking group. Use tools likeMeal Train orMeetup to organize.

5. Plan for Mutual Care, Not Just Fun

A longevity village isn’t just about friendship—it’s about interdependence. It’s about having people you trust to check on you after surgery, remind you to get screened, or sit with you through grief. Think about how you can support each other as needs evolve.

Apps likeCareZone orLotsAHelpingHands make it easier to organize caregiving support across a group.

Action Step: As a group, discuss expectations around mutual support. Who’s comfortable helping with errands, appointments, or emotional check-ins—and how can you make these roles clear?

6. Make It Real—One Step at a Time

Once you’ve built trust, created shared rituals, and aligned on values, begin mapping out the practical steps: Where might you live? What kind of housing makes sense? What budget range or timeline feels realistic?

Whether you choose to rent a house together, buy condos near each other, or stay in your own homes with shared support, the planning is just as important as the dreaming.

Action Step: Create a shared digital space (like a Google Doc or private Facebook group) where everyone can track ideas, research, and agreements.

“Aging brilliantly doesn’t mean doing it alone—it means doing it together.”

You don’t have to wait for someone else to build the perfect community. You can co-create it—starting now, with the people who bring out your best.

So what does your ideal longevity village look like? Who would you want in it, and what small step could you take this month to bring it to life?

Join the conversation in theAge Brilliantly Forum and share your vision—or your questions—about aging intentionally with friends. Let’s build the future of community, together.