The aim of this study is to understand the perspective of elderly residents on their neighborhood and how the composition of the neighborhood influences their daily life. The study took place in the city of Cáceres (Spain) that aspires to become an age-friendly city. This study focused on the intangible elements of the neighborhood related to feelings of safety, well-being, loneliness, belonging to the community and development of trusting relationships. The research was based on the sociology of aging, specifically referencing the theory of the activity of aging, and also urban sociology, which assumes the environment as a conditioning agent of daily life. Using a qualitative approach, 32 in-depth interviews were conducted with individuals over 65. The interviews were analyzed according to grounded theory. The results show how social aspects are key factors for the elderly in their perception of the neighborhood. Therefore, psychological, social and emotional dimensions of the neighborhood influence elderly residents and could have a positive or negative effect on successful aging. These findings also suggest that a crucial aspect of the positive perceptions of the environment lies in the quality of social interactions that take place inside the neighborhood.

This study aims to analyze the consequences of the gentrification process as a result of tourism on the elderly inhabitants. Firstly, the concept of gentrification is reviewed, a process that is no longer exclusive to large cities but has spread to smaller and lesser-known municipalities. A clear example of this type of new tourist destination is the city of Cáceres, a World Heritage medium-sized city where tourism is the basis of its economy. The research considers gentrification in medium-sized cities and its effect on active aging. Based on a qualitative methodological approach, a total of 32 in-depth interviews were conducted and analyzed to compare two neighborhoods—one gentrified and one not. The results show a remarkable disparity in the residents’ perceptions of their environment and their city. The findings suggest adverse effects on the quality of aging due to the gentrification process, such as family dependency, social-space disconnection, and a generally pessimistic image of the neighborhood. Consequently, the impact of tourism negatively affects the gentrified neighborhood inhabitants’ psychological, social, and emotional well-being.