The Wire

One day Author Andrew D. Blechman’s neighbours went on holiday to Florida and they never came back. They had discovered “The Villages” – the largest retirement community in the world. Twice the size of Manhattan, with a population of 100,000, three dozen golf courses and swimming pools, and subsidised beer served in fake downtown bars designed by entertainment specialists from Universal studios. The only thing missing from this “Geritopia” …is children. Catherine Zengerer talks to Andrew D Blechman about his new book : “Leisureville: Adventures in a world without children” published by The University of Queensland press. She starts by asking what these communities without kids are like…