As the population increases in Tomball and Magnolia, several multifamily complexes are being built on the edges of the communities to keep up with the demand for housing.

Following homebuilder trends, many of these complexes include high-end finishes and amenities, including those catering to residents age 55 and older. Three new senior living communities are expected to open in the Tomball and Magnolia area later this year: Avanti Senior Living at Augusta Pines, The Retreat at Westlock and Del Webb-The Woodlands.

Pat Navarette, broker and owner of Texas Sage Properties in Tomball, said she is excited to see the influx of local communities that provide amenities for seniors who are downsizing from larger homes but are still looking for customized housing.

“Senior citizen communities are all the rage given that our population is aging,” Navarette said. “Builders [are offering] a variety of smaller homes with floor plans that are functional for aging clients.”

The population of older residents continues to steadily increase in Tomball and Magnolia. Adults age 55 and older accounted for more than 31 percent of the population in Tomball in 2014 and over 27 percent of the population in Magnolia, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This represents an overall increase from 28.6 percent and 24.6 percent in 2010, respectively.

Navarette said while many senior citizens are moving to be closer to family members, the Greater Houston area has also become a destination for retirees looking to lead a more active lifestyle.

“Out-of-state retirees are attracted to the warm climate and proximity to the recreational and cultural opportunities in the surrounding area,” she said.

While many of these communities cater to active seniors, most also include specialized safety features and health care services.

At Avanti Senior Living in Tomball, Chief Operating Officer Lori Alford said advances in technology, such as electronic medical records and fall protection monitoring, help provide senior citizens with an alternative to traditional nursing homes.

“We have a big focus on using technology for operational efficiency as well as to help our residents,” Alford said. “[The community is] not a hospital—and we don’t claim to be—but [it is] also a lot safer than a home.”

Aesthetics also play a large role in the design of the community. Alford said most homebuyers in the area, including senior citizens, are looking for more upscale options, which could account for some of the uptick in senior communities.

“It’s like a boutique hotel—kind of the W Hotel meets senior housing,” she said. “We even commissioned a blown glass artist to come in and do some pieces for us.”

Alford said the trend in upscale senior living is likely to continue as the working population ages into retirement.

“It’s what society demands,” she said. “I think people now are more cultured, and they’re more well-traveled. Our consumers are just expecting more of a hospitality flair, and that’s what we deliver.”