Great Places to Live was designed as a virtual road trip across America, bringing to life communities that inspire people to imagine how and where to live their best life at 50 and beyond. Based on the long-running print franchise from AARP The Magazine, the video series required translating a trusted editorial property into a dynamic visual format for AARP’s flagship YouTube channel while maintaining depth, credibility, and broad appeal.
Extensive research was the foundation of the series. Each location was selected through careful analysis of livability factors, demographic data, and community trends, informed by AARP’s Livability Index. This research ensured that every featured city or town offered scalable, accessible, and appealing lifestyle options for people 50-plus. Beyond the data, our team invested significant time identifying real stories that could resonate with a wide audience while still centering someone over 50. Finding characters who authentically reflected both the spirit of the place and the values of the series required deep local research and outreach.
Story development was equally rigorous. Each episode balanced personal storytelling with broader community context, allowing viewers to connect emotionally while also understanding why a location works well for aging populations. The Livability Index was woven into each episode through dynamic digital overlays that translated complex data into clear, engaging visuals without interrupting the narrative flow.
Execution presented significant logistical challenges. Our production teams were on the ground for only two days in each location, which required precise planning and coordination. Scheduling interviews with local residents, community leaders, and featured subjects demanded extensive pre-production outreach, flexibility, and contingency planning. Every hour on site was tightly scheduled to ensure we captured both interviews and authentic moments of community life.
What makes Great Places to Live unique is the depth of research paired with efficient, story driven execution. By combining data, human stories, and thoughtful production planning, the series delivers an inspiring and practical look at places where people can thrive at 50-plus while reinforcing AARP’s mission to empower people to choose how they live as they age. With only a month in-market, the series already has over 500k views and counting.
