It was a story by NBC's local affiliate in which the reporter pointed out that a number of new high-rise buildings are being built in trendy, upscale Uptown, just north of Dallas' not-so-nice downtown. The problem is that these hip, new buildings are causing condos in older buildings not to sell.

The Centrum, built in the mid-80s, noted the reporter, is in such dire straits to move homes that its owners are staging an auction to get rid of fallow units.

The reporter brought in a GenX "housing analyst" who derisively commented that the people who are buying luxury highrise homes are "baby boomers who THINK they're cool." They want to live among the younger people renewing the urban area "who ARE cool."

Huh?

This insult society is going too far. While it's not in the same category of insults as the racist/sexist comments recently made by radio-talk host Don Imus, "boomers who think they're cool" is another example of discrimination -- ageism. Boomer-bashing has to stop.

Let's start with the incorrect facts in the news story first.

For one thing, the troubled condo building the reporter used as an example isn't in Uptown -- not even close. The Centrum is in adjoining Oak Lawn, which is part of the same sales grid used by Realtors, but its neighborhood, demographics, businesses, access to downtown, and local amenities are as different from Uptown as any other suburb.

Uptown is separate from other neighborhoods because it is a designated public improvement district. It has finite boundaries where businesses and residents pay extra for public improvements -- commercial development incentives, flowers on the curbs, extra police, and other amenities. That's what's drawing people.

Oak Lawn, on the other hand, is "typical" Dallas -- a bit run-down in parts, struggling and would have little to recommend it were it not largely supported by a brave homeowners association that does everything from pick up trash along public venues to install water fountains for pedestrians, because the city doesn't supply basic services adequately.

Oak Lawn and Uptown are divided on either side by a snake of a city park called the Katy Trail, a resurfaced railroad track that now serves the inner city's runners, strollers, dog lovers, mountain bikers, and roller-bladers. On Uptown's side are the haves, and on the other, the have-a-little-lesses. On Uptown's side are fantastic high-rise homes such as The Residences At The Stoneleigh Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, and Azure, all waiting to welcome their new well-heeled residents, many of whom are boomers.

Now Dallas, in the middle of sprawling prairie and farmland for miles, suffers continuously from a flat housing market, mainly because you can always buy bigger and newer up the road. City management is gridlocked and won't do anything but argue about the problems that are driving residents away -- underperforming schools and high crime.

But today's glitterati don't want to commute because sitting in traffic isn't cool. They want to gaze from the heights at the town they've got by the tail. That's why highrise living is suddenly cool -- for all ages, not just boomers. You're already there, not a 30 to 50 minute commute away.

Dallas and its housing analysts ought to be thankful. Boomers aren't coming to Uptown because they think they're cool. They're simply trying a new lifestyle because they either don't fit in their former life anymore or they have the wherewithal to try something different.

For example, empty nesters quickly find out that suburbia isn't much fun when you don't have kids at home anymore. You're surrounded by their schools, their soccer fields and their dance studios, but you're not going to the school plays and big games anymore.

Doesn't moving to a walkable community close to restaurants, parks, theaters, nightlife, shops, and services sound like more fun?

That's why many boomers are looking around for something different. They don't fit the suburban dream anymore. So, they start looking at the city and its blood-stirring pace. They think about the activities they enjoy -- restaurants, performing arts, art galleries, and walking instead of riding in an SUV. A highrise condo in town is different.

So lay off the boomer bashing, and be glad that something is bringing people, any people, back to the city. And if boomers who think they're cool want to spend $500,000 to over $3 million for a condo in the sky, they should be welcomed with open arms because their dollars are what Dallas and other big cities need to fund the next generation of schools and city services.

Published: May 2, 2007

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.