At 83 years old, I never thought I’d move again.
I had already downsized, sold my home in Los Angeles to be near my younger daughter, Jody, and started a new life in an apartment in the East Bay Area. Life was good.
But when Jody told me she and her husband were planning to sell their house and move to Washington, I was surprised. She explained that they’d be building a home in a 55+ community — and that it was just a mile from a brand-new senior-living facility.
She suggested I consider checking it out, but I was immediately skeptical. It’s not that I don’t like old people. I am an old person. I’ve just never wanted to be surrounded by them 24/7.
Starting all over in Washington seemed scary, but staying put in California without any family around didn’t sound very tempting, either.
Even though I swore I’d never live only with “old people,” I decided to take a tour of the facility near Jody’s new place. It turned out to be the best decision I could’ve made.
I spent a weekend at the facility to see if it was a good fit
Rochelle Linick
I flew to Washington and spent three days and two nights at the senior-living facility, sleeping in the guest suite and meeting some of the residents.
The campus, which is about an hour outside of Seattle, is made up of 228 units, which range from independent and assisted living arrangements to a secure memory-care section.
Jody and I toured the first-floor independent-living apartments, which had tall ceilings and large windows. The natural light streamed in, and the view of the surrounding area was impressive.
Each apartment had its own laundry room and a large kitchen with an island. In fact, the space was even better than my apartment back in California.
Plus, I was impressed by the amenities, like a fitness room, a theater, a beauty salon, two dining rooms, and general activities.
What really sold me, though, was getting to meet some of the other residents. While relaxing in the library, I actually met a woman from my hometown in Iowa who was 12 years older than me. We were mutually shocked and delighted.
After a few days there, my decision was made. I put down my deposit and selected the actual apartment I would move into a few weeks later.
I love my new apartment and have a thriving social life
Rochelle Linick
After making my arrangements back in California, I moved into my very own one-bedroom apartment with a den.
When I walked in, I was thrilled to see the resident garden — where individual planters are filled with flowers and vegetables — just outside my window.
Of course, I missed my view of the bay back home, but I loved having a view of the beautiful quaking Aspen trees with their shimmering leaves that turn gold in the autumn.
I’ve also thoroughly enjoyed making the space my own, placing furniture, arranging my closets, hanging artwork, and getting my den into working order as my office.
My first priority after getting settled in was to meet my neighbors. At dinner each night, I would approach a table in the shared dining room, introduce myself, and ask if I could join them. That’s how I began to find my new family.
Rochelle Linick
Now, after four years here, my diverse, core group of close friends includes a retired science professor, a pediatric nurse, a school psychologist, a sales manager, a graphic designer, a special-ed teacher, a stay-at-home mom, and a travel agent.
We’re well-read and well-traveled, which gives us so much to talk about, from news to life stories. At least five of us usually meet in the shared dining room for dinner, but sometimes, as many as eight gather.
Turns out the people I’ve met are also among the movers and shakers of our community. Many of them are deeply involved in committees and elected councils or head fundraising efforts.
As for my participation, I’ve served on a variety of committees, including the culinary one, which provides suggestions and feedback on the food we’re served.
I’ve also written for our quarterly resident-run newsletter and am the co-chair of the movie committee, which selects the four movies a week that we show in our theater.
However, one of my favorite things I’ve done is found a volunteer program where our residents meet with local elementary school children and help them with phonics and comprehension.
Many of the students come from homes where English is not the first language they hear, and helping them learn has been incredibly rewarding.
Moving into a retirement community was the best decision I could have made
Rochelle Linick
It’s now been four years since I moved in, and overall, my life here feels complete. I never could’ve imagined that at my age, I’d develop such deep, meaningful relationships.
Being with other members of my generation makes conversations fluid and easy. We don’t have to explain things to each other. We have all been there, and we laugh a lot.
I’ve also been able to maintain my privacy. In many ways, I am a bit of a loner. But when I want or need people around me, they are there, non-judgmental and totally supportive.
Of course, I still have my frustrations, but those typically have to do with things like staff changes, communication delays, and poor planning by the architects who didn’t seem to remember this building was going to house elders.
And although my monthly fees are higher than what I was paying when I lived alone, the amenities of the building are worth every penny.
Plus, having Jody and her husband around the corner is the best. They have become honorary members of my retirement family, and I’ve become an honorary member of their cul-de-sac crowd, which means I get invited to all their parties. What could be better?
