And finally, for understanding the way you and theneighbors can find the best fit for you in a new community, let’s turn to the other Rustic Eagle lifestyles.
Photo: Visual Hunt
In the PRIZM list of lifestyles, then, Blue Highways describes lower middle-class couples and families who live in isolated towns and farmsteads.
“lower-mid income level (45th out of 66) with median household incomes at $43,023. Out of all US households, they account for under 2% (1.55%) for a total 1,809,961.”
Out of six segments of the Middle America social group 45Y3T3 is the younger of Whitefish’s two — and
“one of seven striving single lifestyles which as a group live in 12,665,698 households with a median household income of $33,160.”
Fifty years ago the most complex thing about maps was trying to fold them up the right way.
On folding paper maps blue highways represent two-lane roads that “wind through remote stretches of the American landscape.”
Photo: Visual Hunt
In the PRIZM list of lifestyles, then, Blue Highways describes lower middle-class couples and families who live in isolated towns and farmsteads.
Sharing the same pursuits as other Whitefish Wireless Resorters and High Country Eagles, they
“like to hunt and fish, the women enjoy sewing and crafts, and everyone looks forward to going out to a country music concert.”
Photo: Visual Hunt
And, they’re likely to:
“Read Guns & Ammo, drive a Chevrolet Colorado and shop at Wal-Mart. Getting television reception in isolated towns means they probably own a satellite dish and watch auto racing.”
And finally, for understanding the way you and theneighbors can find the best fit for you in a new community, let’s turn to the other Rustic Eagle lifestyles.
The second of Whitefish’s High Country Eagles, Rustic Eagles (HCERE) are the much older (M4) neighbors of WRDE Distant Exurbans – 48Y3T4 – the young and restless striving singles living at the greatest distance from the center of town (T4).
Photo: Visual Hunt
Rustic Eagles are the downscale demographic who are the more mature residents who live in households without children.
The 58M4T4 Rustic Eagles fit into one of PRIZM’s nine “Sustaining Seniors” segments filled with older, economically challenged Americans.
As a group sustaining seniors are:
“Racially mixed and dispersed throughout the country, they all score high for having residents who are over 65 years old and household incomes under $25,000.
Many are single or widowed, have modest educational achievement and live in older apartments or small homes.”
On their fixed incomes, they lead low-key, home-centered lifestyles.
“They’re big on watching TV, gardening, sewing and woodworking. Their social life often revolves around activities at veterans clubs and fraternal organizations.”
And as a group of all nine M4 sustaining seniors as of 2011…
lived in just over 12 million American households (12,101,672)
with median household incomes of $29,346.
As one of six PRIZM “Rustic Living” segments (and the second of ’s T4 neighbors) in 2011 …
they lived in slightly more US households (13,401,489) and
lived on more household income ($31,343).
Photo: Visual Hunt
TheRustic Eagles (HCERE), 58M4T4 profiles is known as Back Country Folksin the PRIZM lifestyle categories.
They are “along way away from economic paradise.
The residents tend to be poor, over 55 years old and living in older, modest-sized homes and manufactured housing.
Typically, life in this segment is a throwback to an earlier era when farming dominated the American landscape.”
Mostly retired, these 65+ seniors have below average income producing assets, but they mostly own their own homes.
Growing up on farms in remote rural areas, they have completed some high school course.
In 2011, “they more than 2.5 million homes (2,658,532) or 2.27% of all US households.
With a median household income of $32,207, they tend order from Publishers Clearing House, read Hunting, and watch Soapnet.
And, they more than likely drive a Ford Ranger when they attend board meetings at their local church.”
25) Compare what “life” was like in those communities before the Great Recession, how resilient each was during the economic downturn, and to what degree did each bounce back after with any “economic hangover.”
26) If you know the zip code you can discover the lifestyles living in the community. You can compare your profile with theirs to estimate your degree of fit.
27) Estimate how well suited you are for the resorts. Refer to “Profiles-at-a-Glance” comparing 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for changes in Life Stages – Singles, Couples, Families, Midlife, Empty Nests, Baby Boomers and Seniors; Ages – 20-29, 25-54, 30-44, 45+ 45-65, 55+ and 65+; and mix of Lifestyles in neighborhoods. Does the resort still offer the age, life stage and lifestyle profiles you prefer?
28) Which lifestyles profiled in the western resort towns during 2008 – 2009 remained five years later in 2013-2014? Which disappeared entirely? Why? Which new lifestyles emerged, grew or moved in to shift the neighborhood mix? Have longtime locals been forced out by escalating property valuations and sky high property taxes?
“Town and Rural areas have population density scores under 40.This category includes exurbs, towns, farming communities and a wide range of other rural areas.
Photo: Visual Hunt
How Charles, Arthur and Dudley find new communities across the West.
An excerpt from Book Three in “The Knowledge Path Series” dedicated to helping you find the place of your dreams.
With the help of our knowledge bank, you can choose for variations in your new neighborhood by:
When you dig in a little deeper below the surface of Whitefish’s zip code you find what you would expect –a community whose residents reflect a mix of three Wireless Resorter lifestyles and two High Country Eagles.
Whitefish attracted a broad range of age and stage lifestyles –from the striving single 20-29 year olds to 65+ year-old sustaining seniors in older homes.
Depending upon their circumstances, residents chose to live in Whitefish households alone or with other singles, couples, families, empty-nesters, and retired seniors.
Photo: Visual Hunt
Using original density definitions from Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM Segmentation, Whitefish fits the “Town and Country” community description.
Just under 40% of the U.S. population (39.6%) call town and country home.
“Town and Rural areas have population density scores under 40.
This category includes exurbs, towns, farming communities and a wide range of other rural areas.
Using our density and lifestyle definitions most town and country residents live in either Wireless Resort or High Country Eagle communities.
Now consider that both Wireless Resorters and High Country Eagles come in four possible “flavors.”
For the rest of our story, we’ll use those profiles as a way for Charles, Arthur and Dudley to find new communities across the West.
Premier Resorts (WRPR),09M1T1.
Photo: Visual Hunt
WRPRs like those that flocked to Whitefish are the more wealthy of those who migrated to smaller boomtowns.
These are what the Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM Segmentation call the “Landed Gentry” social group.
Many of their households contain families with members of the Baby Boomer generation.
WRPR couples already earned college degrees and work in professional jobs.
As a social group living in expansive homes.
They are more likely telecommuting – twice as likely as the rest of Americans.
Along with their upscale incomes and expansive homes comes the ability to afford heavy spending on expensive toys.
They’re the prime consumers of technology –
exercise equipment,
electronics,
wireless and computer technologies,
luxury cars and
powerboats.
They’ll display the books they’ve read, the magazine subscriptions.
And, intentionally or not, the toys they buy their children or grandchildren.
According PRIZM’s 2011 statistics …
9,812,689 US households fall within this social group with a median household income of $82,323.
The “09M1T1” code in our Knowledge Bank stands for one of the most affluent WRPR lifestyles.
Balboa Island Ferry – Getty Images
It means they rank within the top 10 of affluence (09),
have entered their mature life stage (M1) and
reside in the premier resort neighborhoods (T1) of country towns and exurbs.
And, that makes their neighborhoods a mashup of Cambria in California, Pagosa Springs in Colorado, Sedona in Arizona, Santa Fe in New Mexico, Incline Village – Crystal Bay in Nevada and Deer Valley in Utah.
The M1 upscale, empty-nesting couples enjoy the trappings of success.
Photo: Visual Hunt
How so? By …
“belonging to country clubs, maintaining large investment portfolios and spending freely on computer technology.
Older, upper-class, college-educated professionals, the members of PRIZM’s aptly named “Big Fish, Small Pond” are often among the leading citizens of their small-town communities. “
Which is why other Whitefish citizens had these reactions in Kim Murphy’s 2010 article.
Photo: Visual Hunt
“Longtime residents say it’s not unusual to see three or four old houses along the lake razed and replaced with a massive private lodge.
Wine bars, gourmet pizza bistros and boutiques now sit between the saloons at the base of the ski slopes in rustic downtown .”
The Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM Segmentation says:
“While those on the ‘MTV side’ of fifty may debate their inclusion in M1 group, Americans in the Mature Years tend to be over 45 years old and living in houses that have empty-nested.”
Not all empty nests are as affluent as the Affluent Empty Nests 09M1T1 “WRPRs.”
But, as we will see a little later, these are upscale couples.
The members of the M1 life stage group are college educated, hold executive and professional positions and are over 45.
Photo: Visual Hunt
“With their children out of the house, these consumers have plenty of disposable cash to finance active lifestyles rich in travel and cultural events.
They’re highly likely to order from L.L. Bean, contribute to PBS, read Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, watch The Triple Crown, and own a high-end vehicle like the Cadillac DTS.”
Oh, and these WRPRs are also community activists.
They write their politicians, volunteer for environmental groups and vote heavily in elections.
What about the other Whitefish Wireless Resorters, the Distant Exurbans (WRDE) and Resort Suburbans (WRRS)?
Distant Exurbans (WRDE),48Y3T4.
Distant Exurbans come in three lifestyle “flavors” …
Two striving single and younger segments ages 20-29 year olds –both Millennials.
And a third much older sustaining senior 65+ age retirement group.
What they have in common is “rustic living” in their more remote homes (T4).
Whitefish’s Distant Exurbans – 48Y3T4 – fit the profile of “young and restless” singles.
They haven’t made their mark in their life or career like two other younger year segments – Y2 mainstream singles who live in metropolitan areas or the older Y1 30 and 40 year olds succeeding by midlife.
PRIZM labels these “twenty-something” singles the “Young and Rustic” because they typically have low incomes—
Often under $25,000 a year—from service jobs or part-time work they take on while going to college.
“In general,they are high-school educated, but don’t own their own homes
As a home-to-school-back to home and then out on their own group, they rent small apartments instead.
Housing for the striving single group is a mix of cheap apartment complexes, dormitories and mobile homes.”
With their service industry jobs and modest incomes, the younger WRDEs still try to fashion fast-paced lifestyles centered on sports, cars and dating.
Photo: Visual Hunt
As consumers, the residents in these segments score high for …
outdoor sports,
movies and music,
fast food and
inexpensive cars.
In their remote communities, PRIZM says …
“they spend their leisure time in traditional small-town activities as fishing and hunting, attending socialactivities at the local church and veterans club, enjoying country music and car racing.”
WRDE Distant Exurbans – 48Y3T4 – lifestyles, according to Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM Segmentation are more likely to:
“Order from Columbia House, buy science fiction books, read “Car Craft”, watch WWE Wrestling, and drive a Dodge Ram Diesel”
Resort Suburbans, (WRRS)43M3T3.
The third of Whitefish’s Wireless Resorters, 43M3T3 …
live closer (T3) to the premier resort neighborhoods (T1)
than the rustic exurbs (T4)
which is why we call them the Resort Suburbans (WRRS).
Photo: Visual Hunt
The homes in these neighborhoods house mostly older couples without children existing on lower-mid level income rankings(43rd / 66).
Like the ’s fourth lifestyle, High Country Eagles, Rural Cowboys (HCERC), WRRS Resort Suburbans belong to one of six segments of a broad social group, “Middle America.”
Middle America segments are filled with middle-class homeowners living in small towns and remote exurbs.
They’re typically found in scenic settings throughout the nation’s heartland.
Middle Americans tend to be white, high school educated, living as couples or larger families, and ranging in age from under 25 to over 65.
Like many residents of remote communities, these conservative consumers tend to prefer traditional rural pursuits:
fishing,
hunting,
making crafts,
antique collecting,
watching television and
meeting at civic and
veterans clubs for
recreation and companionship.
Friday nights are for celebrating high school sports.
Photo: Visual Hunt
A half a century ago things were different across the U.S.
Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM Segments says …
“America was once a land of small middle class towns, which can still be found today among Heartlanders.
This widespread segment consists of middle-aged couples with working-class jobs living in sturdy,unpretentious homes.
In these communities of small families and empty-nesting couples, Heartlanders pursue a rustic lifestyle where hunting and fishing remain prime leisure activities along with cooking, sewing, camping and boating.”
What about age?
You’ll notice in our knowledge bank we borrow Nielsen’s maturity as part of our code.
First the “M” and then the “Y” portions of the lifestyle label.
Photo: Visual Hunt
M1, the WRPR 09M1T1 affluent empty nesters in premier resorts we’ve already discussed is younger.
The M3 designation refers to the third of four Mature Years segments the large group of Cautious Couples, featuring an over-55-year-old mix.
“Widely scattered throughout the nation, the residents in the Cautious Couples seven lifestyle segments typically are working-class and white, with some college education and a high rate of homeownership. of singles, couples and widows.”
As a whole group, Cautious Couples today pursue sedate lifestyles, given their blue-collar roots.
“They have high rates for reading, travel, eating out at family restaurants and pursuing home-based hobbies like coin collecting and gardening.”
We pulled all of the PRIZM classifications together (2011 Statistics) in our Knowledge Bank for the following snapshot.
43M3T3 WRRS Resort Suburbans can be found living in …
“about 2% of US households (2,334,924) that earn median incomes of $43,485.”
What else do we know about them?
“They tend to shop at places like Kmart, sew clothing from patterns and read “Family Handyman.” On television, they watch the CBS Early Show and would likely drive the GMC Sierra Flex Fuel.”
Fun facts.
M3 Cautious Couples live in roughly 6 times more homes (12,266,568),
but earn roughly $2,000 less a year ($41,303),
as compared to the Middle America social group, 11,533,179 households
25) Compare what “life” was like in those communities before the Great Recession, how resilient each was during the economic downturn, and to what degree did each bounce back after with any “economic hangover.”
26) If you know the zip code you can discover the lifestyles living in the community. You can compare your profile with theirs to estimate your degree of fit.
27) Estimate how well suited you are for the resorts. Refer to “Profiles-at-a-Glance” comparing 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for changes in Life Stages – Singles, Couples, Families, Midlife, Empty Nests, Baby Boomers and Seniors; Ages – 20-29, 25-54, 30-44, 45+ 45-65, 55+ and 65+; and mix of Lifestyles in neighborhoods. Does the resort still offer the age, life stage and lifestyle profiles you prefer?
28) Which lifestyles profiled in the western resort towns during 2008 – 2009 remained five years later in 2013-2014? Which disappeared entirely? Why? Which new lifestyles emerged, grew or moved in to shift the neighborhood mix? Have longtime locals been forced out by escalating property valuations and sky high property taxes?
Maybe, for this time of year you want to visit the desert instead of the mountains.Or take a vacation along the coast. Or islands – like Catalina off the coast of Southern California or one of the Hawaiian Islands.
Photo: Visual Hunt
You may just decide to live there for six months and somewhere else for the other.In the mountains for skiing and snowboarding and then at the beach for surfing and sun bathing.
It may begin with a vacation to a friend’s favorite destination.
Maybe it’s someplace where you’ve never been before.
Where do you find neighborhoods with similar families?
For your first time you’ll want to figure out your route and itinerary.
Usually you have a region in mind, with some ideas where you might want to visit.
Western United States – Texas A&M Transportation Institute
You may start with a map of a region within the West or of Hawaii.
You can start saving bookmarks about potential places, to revisit later.
Or you recall a trip you took out west a few years ago.
From California to Nevada and Arizona.
Up to Colorado and back through Utah and Nevada to your return to California.
A name rings a bell when you read an article in a file saved years ago that you stumble across while cleaning up your office.
It lists the top places for retiring published by AARP – Loveland, Colorado.
You spend a little time on the Internet and discover, it’s been singled out as a great place to retire on the water.
In 2009 it was singled out as a best place to live.
Colorado Regions
You recall the fun you had hiking through the nearby Rocky Mountain National Park.
What were the names of some of those other places you saw on the way?
You wonder if Loveland is right for you?
After all, US News & World Report ranked it 7th on their top 10 places to live in 2009; right ahead of San Luis Obispo, California and behind front runner Albuquerque, New Mexico, # 3 Austin, Texas and #4 Boise, Idaho.
Now you’ve got your work cut out for you. Follow these 11 steps to turn your dreams into your dream home. Let’s use Loveland as an example:
1.I recommend beginning with Wikipedia and WikiTravel for a quick summary, local history some pictures and the zip code or zip codes.You’ll see a map of the state, a subset of that map for it’s county.WikiTravel profiles vacation attractions – directions and transportation, where to stay overnight, where you should eat and play.It gives you ideas for visiting local attractions and doing more when you consider a broader vicinity.So you can plan for a long weekend or a one or more week vacation.
2.If you aren’t interested in Loveland you can stop there and consider San Luis Obispo next.Maybe, for this time of year you want to visit the desert instead of the mountains.Or take a vacation along the coast. Or islands – like Catalina off the coast of Southern California or one of the Hawaiian Islands. But, if you like lakes and rivers, then Loveland may be worth further investigation.
3.For our purposes, we are assuming that you really want to move, invest in, work in, start a business or retire in a new community that doubles as a vacation resort and with pristine quality of lifestyle activities.Otherwise, why bother?
4.So, grab the zip code and go to Google and search on the 5 digits.You’ll find a map which will show you where this destination is in relation to its surrounding area.You see photo slide shows and videos of the area.You can switch to satellite views and hybrid map views.
5.Still believe this town may be a keeper?Jump to Claritas to check out the types of people who already live in the neighborhoods. “Birds of a Feather Flock Together.”Neighborhoods change slowly.They attract the same kinds of people over time.If you plan to move, invest, work, start a business or retire, you’ll want to see if residents match your criteria.
8.Let’s say you’ve compared and narrowed your search for real estate investments.Check out City-Data for in-depth demographics and regional, county and zip code statistics – including the number of registered sex offenders.
9.If you plan to move, you should search by zip code on Weather Underground to find a wealth of weather patterns including tornadoes, hurricanes and other disasters for each season, but especially for January and June to determine just how inviting your new vacation resort will be.You may just decide to live there for six months and somewhere else for the other.In the mountains for skiing and snowboarding and then at the beach for surfing and sun bathing.
10. Need a job?Check the openings by zip code from two Internet sites – Indeed and Simply Hired.You’ll want to take a couple of job hunting or house hunting trips before your final decision.Make a vacation of it by returning to WikiTravel to line up the best accommodations, or visit My New Place for a listing, map and photos of rentals by zip code.
11.We know that the best positions are hidden.You find them by a chain of referrals and introductions.How do you create a new network?Use your zip code and key word description of the town in LinkedIn’s advanced search function and begin contacting the first few of 100 local introductions.
These lifestyle descriptions are intended to paint a picture of a new neighborhood you’d enjoy, because you share some of the same traits with current residents.
Photo: Visual Hunt
For our purposes, we are assuming that you really want to move, invest in, work in and around, start a business or retire in a new community that doubles as a vacation resort with pristine quality of lifestyle activities. Otherwise, why bother?
Here’s what we know already.
Neighborhoods change slowly.
“Birds of a Feather Flock Together.”
They attract the same kinds of people over time.
You’ll want to see if current residents match your criteria.
We’ve already done the heavy lifting for you: identifying neighborhood characteristics by age and the stage of life of their residents.
Single (20-29, 25-54, or 30-44).
Couple (55+ or 65+).
Family (20-44, 25-54, 35-54).
Mid-Lifers (30-44).
Empty Nests (45+).
Baby Boomers (55+).
Seniors (65+).
And, we’ve compared neighborhoods by population density.
From urban and suburban Wealthy Influentials and Permanent Temporaries to premier quality-of-life Wireless Resorters to pristine small town and rustic High Country Eagles.
So, if you want to narrow your focus to neighborhoods with, say, 25-54 year old families in Wireless Resorts, then you can find a list that suits you best.
With the help of our knowledge bank, you can choose for variations in your new neighborhood by:
Refer to 66 lifestyle segment descriptions grouped in sets of ten, beginning with the most affluent and ending with the least. You’ll see that we’ve identified a sample town where you’ll most likely find each lifestyle listed.
These lifestyle descriptions are intended to paint a picture of a new neighborhood you’d enjoy, because you share some of the same traits with current residents.
8) Sit down with your spouse, partner or friends and write-up your bucket list of places.
20) Pivot. Maybe the lists of best places don’t appeal to you. Where can you go to make a fresh, new start? Don’t limit your imagination. Think anywhere — across the globe. Where do you really, really want to live, work and play? Why not live where it’s a vacation all year round?
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
26) If you know the zip code you can discover the lifestyles living in the community. You can compare your profile with theirs to estimate your degree of fit.
27) Estimate how well suited you are for the resorts. Refer to “Profiles-at-a-Glance” comparing 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for changes in Life Stages – Singles, Couples, Families, Midlife, Empty Nests, Baby Boomers and Seniors; Ages – 20-29, 25-54, 30-44, 45+ 45-65, 55+ and 65+; and mix of Lifestyles in neighborhoods. Does the resort still offer the age, life stage and lifestyle profiles you prefer?
We use Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM lifestyle segmentation profiles to evaluate best places for relocation to more authentic, quality-of-life communities.
And, if your community already includes the following profiles, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s going on in your neighbors’ lives.
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 13,401,489
Median Household Income : $31,343
“Three of the six segments in Rustic America represent the nation’s most isolated towns and rural villages.
As a group, T4 residents have relatively modest incomes, low educational levels, aging homes and blue-collar occupations.
Photo: Visual Hunt
Many of the residents, a mix of young singles and seniors, are unmarried, and they’ve watched scores of their neighbors migrate to the city.
In their remote communities, these consumers spend their leisure time in such traditional small-town activities as fishing and hunting, attending social activities at the local church and veterans club, enjoying country music and car racing.”
Where in the West will you find those three lifestyles?
Google Maps: Whitefish, MT
We identified three Rustic Eagle residential neighborhoods in California, Montana and New Mexico.
Which of the following lifestyles best describes you?
64F4T4, Bedrock America, 20-44, Families, Sustaining Families, Town and Country, Rustic Living, HCERE Rustic Eagles, High Country Eagles (Palm Springs, CA)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 2,220,781 (1.90%)
Median Household Income: $27,602
In 2011 Claritas described these Rustic Eagle (HCERE) household lifestyles:
“Bedrock America consists of young, economically challenged families in small, isolated towns, located throughout the nation’s heartland.
With modest educations, sprawling families and blue-collar jobs, many of these residents struggle to make ends meet.
One quarter live in mobile homes. One in three haven’t finished high school.
Rich in scenery, Bedrock America is a haven for fishing, hunting, hiking and camping.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Ordered from Avon
Bought toy cars
Read Parents Magazine
Watched The Young and the Restless
Drove a Dodge Ram Flex Fuel”
57M4T4, Old Milltown, 65+, Sustaining Seniors, Rustic Living, HCERE Rustic Eagles, High Country Eagles ( Taos, NM)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,845,943 (1.58%)
Median Household Income: $30,608
Rustic Eagles (HCERE): “America’s once-thriving mining and manufacturing towns have aged-as have the residents in Old Milltowns communities
Today, the majority of residents are retired singles and couples, living on downscale incomes in pre-1960 homes and apartments.
Photo: Visual Hunt
For leisure, they enjoy gardening, sewing, socializing at veterans clubs or eating out at casual restaurants.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Ordered from Home Shopping Network
Did needlepoint
Read Good Housekeeping
Watched As the World Turns
Drove a GMC Canyon”
58M4T4, Back Country Folks, 65+Sustaining Seniors, Rustic Living, HCERE Rustic Eagles, High Country Eagles (Whitefish, MT)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 2,658,532 (2.27%)
Median Household Income: $32,207
Rustic Eagles (HCERE): “Strewn among remote farm communities across the nation, Back Country Folks are a long way away from economic paradise.
The residents tend to be poor, over 55 years old and living in older, modest-sized homes and manufactured housing.
Photo: Visual Hunt
Typically, life in this segment is a throwback to an earlier era when farming dominated the American landscape.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Ordered from Publishers Clearing House
Belonged to church board
Read Hunting
Watched Soapnet
Drove a Ford Ranger”
Will you find a 100% fit?
No.
These lifestyle descriptions are intended to paint a picture of a new neighborhood you’d enjoy, because you share some of the same traits with current residents.
8) Sit down with your spouse, partner or friends and write-up your bucket list of places.
20) Pivot. Maybe the lists of best places don’t appeal to you. Where can you go to make a fresh, new start? Don’t limit your imagination. Think anywhere — across the globe. Where do you really, really want to live, work and play? Why not live where it’s a vacation all year round?
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
26) If you know the zip code you can discover the lifestyles living in the community. You can compare your profile with theirs to estimate your degree of fit.
27) Estimate how well suited you are for the resorts. Refer to “Profiles-at-a-Glance” comparing 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for changes in Life Stages – Singles, Couples, Families, Midlife, Empty Nests, Baby Boomers and Seniors; Ages – 20-29, 25-54, 30-44, 45+ 45-65, 55+ and 65+; and mix of Lifestyles in neighborhoods. Does the resort still offer the age, life stage and lifestyle profiles you prefer?
Friday nights are for celebrating high school sports.
Photo: Visual Hunt
These Americans tend to be young, working-class couples with large families-more than half have two or more kids-living in small homes and manufactured housing.
With the help of our knowledge bank, you can choose for variations in your new neighborhood by:
We use Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM lifestyle segmentation profiles to evaluate best places for relocation to more authentic, quality-of-life communities.
And, if your community already includes the following profiles, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s going on in your neighbors’ lives.
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 11,533,179
Median Household Income : $43,123
Three Rural Cowboy (HCERC) and another three (of the six) segments in Middle America are filled with middle-class homeowners living in small towns and remote exurbs.
“Typically found in scenic settings throughout the nation’s heartland, Middle Americans tend to be white, high school educated, living as couples or larger families, and ranging in age from under 25 to over 65.
Photo: Visual Hunt
Like many residents of remote communities, these conservative consumers tend to prefer traditional rural pursuits: fishing, hunting, making crafts, antique collecting, watching television and meeting at civic and veterans clubs for recreation and companionship.
Friday nights are for celebrating high school sports.”
Where in the West will you find those three lifestyles?
Google Maps: Coeur d’Alene, ID
We find three Rural Cowboy neighborhoods, one each in Arizona, Colorado and Idaho:
Surprise, AZ
Dillon, CO
Coeur d’Alene, ID
Which of the following lifestyles best describes you?
45Y3T3, Blue Highways, 20-29 Striving Singles, Middle America HCERC Rural Cowboy, High Country Eagles (Dillon, CO)
Rural Cowboy (HCERC): “On maps, blue highways are often two-lane roads that wind through remote stretches of the American landscape.
Among lifestyles, Blue Highways is the standout for lower middle-class singles and couples who live in isolated towns and farmsteads.
They like to hunt and fish, the women enjoy sewing and crafts, and everyone looks forward to going out to a country music concert.”
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,809,961 (1.55%)
Median Household Income: $43,023
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Shopped at Wal-Mart
Owned satellite dish
Read Guns & Ammo
Watched auto racing
Drove Chevrolet Colorado“
50F3T3, Kid Country, USA, 25-54, Mainstream Families, Middle America – HCERCRural Cowboy, High Country Eagles (Coeur d’Alene, ID)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,481,771 (1.27%)
Median Household Income: $42,166
Rural Cowboy (HCERC): “Widely scattered throughout the nation’s heartland, Kid Country, USA is a segment dominated by large families living in small towns.
Predominantly white, with an above average concentration of Hispanics, these young, these working-class households include homeowners, renters and military personnel living in base housing; about 16 – 20 percent of residents own mobile homes.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Ordered from oldnavy.com
Bought infant toys
Read Fit Pregnancy
Watched Nick at Nite
Drove a Nissan Titan Flex Fuel”
51F3T3, Shotguns & Pickups, 25-54, Mainstream Families, Middle America, HCERCRural Cowboy, High Country Eagles (Surprise, AZ)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,873,167 (1.60%)
Median Household Income: $41,859
Rural Cowboy (HCERC): “The segment known as Shotguns & Pickups came by its moniker honestly: it scores near the top of all lifestyles for owning hunting rifles and pickup trucks.
These Americans tend to be young, working-class couples with large families-more than half have two or more kids-living in small homes and manufactured housing.
Nearly a third of residents live in mobile homes, more than anywhere else in the nation.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Shopped at Sears Hardware
Went camping
Read North American Hunter
Watched Outdoor Channel
Drove Ford F-Series”
Will you find a 100% fit?
No.
These lifestyle descriptions are intended to paint a picture of a new neighborhood you’d enjoy, because you share some of the same traits with current residents.
8) Sit down with your spouse, partner or friends and write-up your bucket list of places.
20) Pivot. Maybe the lists of best places don’t appeal to you. Where can you go to make a fresh, new start? Don’t limit your imagination. Think anywhere — across the globe. Where do you really, really want to live, work and play? Why not live where it’s a vacation all year round?
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
26) If you know the zip code you can discover the lifestyles living in the community. You can compare your profile with theirs to estimate your degree of fit.
27) Estimate how well suited you are for the resorts. Refer to “Profiles-at-a-Glance” comparing 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for changes in Life Stages – Singles, Couples, Families, Midlife, Empty Nests, Baby Boomers and Seniors; Ages – 20-29, 25-54, 30-44, 45+ 45-65, 55+ and 65+; and mix of Lifestyles in neighborhoods. Does the resort still offer the age, life stage and lifestyle profiles you prefer?
With modest educations and incomes, these residents maintain low-key, sedentary lifestyles.
Photo: Visual Hunt
One of the youngest segments in America-with ten times as many college students as the national average-these neighborhoods feature low incomes and high concentrations of Hispanics and African-Americans.
With the help of our knowledge bank, you can choose for variations in your new neighborhood by:
“Micro-City Blues was created via the predominantly downscale residents living in the affordable housing found throughout the nation’s smaller cities.
A diverse social group, these segments contain a mix of old and young, singles and widowers, whites, African-Americans and Hispanics.
Most of the workers hold blue-collar jobs—hence the name—and their marketplace behaviors reflect the segments’ varied lifestyles.
This is one of the few social groups where consumers have a high index for video games and bingo, aerobic exercise and fishing, BET and the Country Music Network.”
Where in the West will you find those three lifestyles?
Google Maps: Palm Desert, CA
We’ve found them living in two California communities and a neighborhood in Idaho:
Coeur d’Alene, ID
Eureka, CA
Palm Desert, CA
Which of the following lifestyles best describes you?
47Y3C3, City Startups, 20-29, Singles, Striving Singles, Micro-City Blues – HCESTB Small Town Borders, High Country Eagles (Eureka, CA)
Small Town Border (HCESTB): “In City Startups, young, multi-ethnic singles have settled in neighborhoods filled with cheap apartments and a commercial base of cafes, bars, laundromats and clubs that cater to twentysomethings.
One of the youngest segments in America-with ten times as many college students as the national average-these neighborhoods feature low incomes and high concentrations of Hispanics and African-Americans.
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,525,847 (1.31%)
Median Household Income: $23,777
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Shopped at The Limited
Attended college football games
Read Spin
Watched Game Show Network
Drove a Suzuki Forenza”
53Y3C3, Mobility Blues, 20-29, Single, Striving Singles, Micro-City Blues – HCESTB Small Town Borders, High Country Eagles (Coeur d’Alene, ID)
Small Town Border (HCESTB): “Young singles and single parents make their way to Mobility Blues, a segment of working-class neighborhoods in America’s satellite cities.
Racially mixed and under 25 years old, these transient Americans tend to have modest lifestyles due to their lower-income blue-collar jobs.
Surveys show they excel in going to movies, playing basketball and shooting pool.
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,522,347 (1.30%)
Median Household Income: $29,419
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Shopped at Circuit City
Went whitewater rafting
Read WWE Magazine
Watched Telemundo
Drove a Hundai Tiburon”
60M4C3, Park Bench Seniors, 65+Sustaining Seniors,Micro-City Blues – HCESTB Small Town Borders, High Country Eagles (Palm Desert, CA)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,345,679 (1.15%)
Median Household Income: $24,290
Small Town Borders (HCESTB): “Park Bench Seniors typically are retired singles living in the racially mixed neighborhoods of the nation’s satellite cities.
With modest educations and incomes, these residents maintain low-key, sedentary lifestyles.
Photo: Visual Hunt
Theirs is one of the top-ranked segments for TV viewing, especially daytime soaps and game shows.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Purchased in-home housewares
Bought gospel music
Read Jet
Watched The People’s Court
Drove a Suzuki Reno”
Will you find a 100% fit?
No.
These lifestyle descriptions are intended to paint a picture of a new neighborhood you’d enjoy, because you share some of the same traits with current residents.
8) Sit down with your spouse, partner or friends and write-up your bucket list of places.
20) Pivot. Maybe the lists of best places don’t appeal to you. Where can you go to make a fresh, new start? Don’t limit your imagination. Think anywhere — across the globe. Where do you really, really want to live, work and play? Why not live where it’s a vacation all year round?
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
26) If you know the zip code you can discover the lifestyles living in the community. You can compare your profile with theirs to estimate your degree of fit.
27) Estimate how well suited you are for the resorts. Refer to “Profiles-at-a-Glance” comparing 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for changes in Life Stages – Singles, Couples, Families, Midlife, Empty Nests, Baby Boomers and Seniors; Ages – 20-29, 25-54, 30-44, 45+ 45-65, 55+ and 65+; and mix of Lifestyles in neighborhoods. Does the resort still offer the age, life stage and lifestyle profiles you prefer?
Young, single and working-class, these residents pursue active lifestyles amid sprawling apartment complexes, bars, convenience stores and laundromats.
Photo: Visual Hunt
Found in second-tier cities, these mobile, twentysomethings include a disproportionate number of recent college graduates who are into athletic activities, the latest technology and nightlife entertainment.
With the help of our knowledge bank, you can choose for variations in your new neighborhood by:
We use Claritas / Nielsen PRIZM lifestyle segmentation profiles to evaluate best places for relocation to more authentic, quality-of-life communities.
And, if your community already includes the following profiles, you’ll have a better understanding of what’s going on in your neighbors’ lives.
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 9,023,807
Median Household Income : $46,335
“The five segments in the C2 social group consist of a mix of Americans—old and young, homeowners and renters, families and singles—who’ve settled in the nation’s satellite cities.
Photo: Visual Hunt
What they share is a middle-class status, some college educations and a lifestyle heavy on leisure and recreation.
The members of City Centers tend to be big fans of home-centered activities: computer surfing, video renting, TV viewing and playing games and musical instruments.
Outside their homes, they go to movies, museums and bowling alleys at high rates.”
Google Maps: South Lake Tahoe, CA
Where in the West will you find those five lifestyles?
Napa, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
San Marcos, TX
Aurora, CO
Santa Fe, NM
Which of the following lifestyles best describes you?
24Y2C2, Up-and-Comers, 25-54, Mainstream Singles, City Centers, HCESC Satellite City-zens, High Country Eagles (Napa, CA)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,510,327 (1.29%)
Median Household Income: $50,556
Satellite City-zens (HCESC): “Up-and-Comers is a stopover for young, midscale singles before they marry, have families and establish more deskbound lifestyles
Found in second-tier cities, these mobile, twentysomethings include a disproportionate number of recent college graduates who are into athletic activities, the latest technology and nightlife entertainment.
Best of Whitefish, Montana
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Shopped at Ethan Allen Galleries
Done Karate
Read Maxim
Watched MTV
Drove a Nissan Xterra”
35Y2C2, Boomtown Singles, 25-54, Mainstream Singles, City Centers, HCESC Satellite City-zens, High Country Eagles (San Marcos, TX)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,617,454 (1.38%)
Median Household Income: $39,838
Satellite City-zens (HCESC): “Affordable housing, abundant entry-level jobs and a thriving singles scene-all have given rise to the Boomtown Singles segment in fast-growing satellite cities.
Slowly Evolving Neighborhoods
Young, single and working-class, these residents pursue active lifestyles amid sprawling apartment complexes, bars, convenience stores and laundromats.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Shopped at Victoria’s Secret
Done Karate
Read Elle
Watched VH1
Drove a Suzuki SX4″
34F3C2, White Picket Fences, 25-54, Families, Mainstream Families, City Centers, HCESC Satellite City-zens, High Country Eagles (Aurora, CO)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 1,536,574 (1.31%)
Median Household Income: $51,800
Satellite City-zens (HCESC): “Midpoint on the socioeconomic ladder, residents in White Picket Fences look a lot like the stereotypical American household of a generation ago: young, middle-class, married with children.
But the current version is characterized by modest homes and ethnic diversity-including a disproportionate number of Hispanics and African-Americans.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Ordered from BMG Music
Rented/bought kid’s videos
Read People en Espanol
Watched Latin Grammy Awards
Drove a Saturn ION”
27M2C2, Middleburg Managers, 55+, Couples, Conservative Classics, City Centers, HCESC Satellite City-zens, High Country Eagles (South Lake Tahoe, CA)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 2,276,009 (1.95%)
Median Household Income: $51,769
Satellite City-zens (HCESC): “Middleburg Managers arose when empty nesters settled in satellite communities which offered a lower cost of living and more relaxed pace.
Photo: Visual Pursuit
Today, segment residents tend to be middle-class and over 55 years old, with solid managerial jobs and comfortable retirements.
In their older homes, they enjoy reading, playing musical instruments, indoor gardening and refinishing furniture.”
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Shopped at Office Depot
Bought books on tape
Read VFW Magazine
Watched Inspiration Network
Drove Mercury Grand Marquis Flex Fuel”
41M3C2, Sunset City Blues, 55+ Cautious Couples, Empty Nests – City Centers, HCESC Satellite City-zens, High Country Eagles (Santa Fe, NM)
2011 Statistics:
US Households: 2,083,443 (1.78%)
Median Household Income: $39,366
Satellite City-zens (HCESC): “Scattered throughout the older neighborhoods of small cities, Sunset City Blues is a segment of lower-middle-class singles and couples who have retired or are getting closed to it.
These empty-nesters tend to own their homes but have modest educations and incomes.
Photo: Visual Hunt
They maintain a low-key lifestyle filled with newspapers and television by day, and family style restaurants at night.
Lifestyle & Media Traits:
Ordered from QVC
Collected coins
Read Ladies’ Home Journal
Watched One Life to Live
Drove a Kia Borrego”
Will you find a 100% fit?
No.
These lifestyle descriptions are intended to paint a picture of a new neighborhood you’d enjoy, because you share some of the same traits with current residents.
8) Sit down with your spouse, partner or friends and write-up your bucket list of places.
20) Pivot. Maybe the lists of best places don’t appeal to you. Where can you go to make a fresh, new start? Don’t limit your imagination. Think anywhere — across the globe. Where do you really, really want to live, work and play? Why not live where it’s a vacation all year round?
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
26) If you know the zip code you can discover the lifestyles living in the community. You can compare your profile with theirs to estimate your degree of fit.
27) Estimate how well suited you are for the resorts. Refer to “Profiles-at-a-Glance” comparing 2008-2009 and 2013-2014 for changes in Life Stages – Singles, Couples, Families, Midlife, Empty Nests, Baby Boomers and Seniors; Ages – 20-29, 25-54, 30-44, 45+ 45-65, 55+ and 65+; and mix of Lifestyles in neighborhoods. Does the resort still offer the age, life stage and lifestyle profiles you prefer?