Despite the U.S. housing slump, the global boom in second-home purchases hasn't seemed to wane. The growth of private residence clubs and "hometels" (apartment hotels) indicate that the wealthy (or those who have Pounds or Euros burning holes in their pockets) are still buying.
We recently read an article in The New York Times titled "It's Lonely at the Top, The Middle..." about how isolating life can be for The Plaza's private residents, as they find it hard to get to know their neighbors. Integration is difficult, as communities are local by definition. The real estate market has jumped on the concierge bandwagon and is only beginning to create their own services, some of which help relocating families adjust to the culture shock of a new town, residence, etc. But what about a Community Concierge (a luxury Welcome Wagon of sorts) whose mission is to greet new, part-time homeowners as they relocate, to acquaint them with their neighbors, and host ongoing gatherings to quicken the integration process?
