Gainesville may be on the brink of a senior surge.

Continue to 2nd paragraph Retirees are a growing demographic and are increasingly drawn by the town's culture, climate, costs and health care. And they have the time and spending money to enjoy what the city has to offer.

The city is fast gaining a reputation as a retirement destination, thanks in part to high rankings in different publications at a time when the large baby boomer generation is reaching retirement age and people are living longer and healthier lives.

Alachua County probably will start to pick up some of the "spillover" effect from rapidly growing communities as Florida's population continues to shift northward, according to Stan Smith, director of the UF Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

The real boomer boom, however, may be on hold until the economy and real estate market turns around.

With a 10-month supply of homes on the market nationwide instead of the usual four months, people are less able to sell and move, according to David Denslow, UF economics professor.

Gainesville virtues draw retirees - Gainesville Sun - April 1, 2008