Recommend a good place for independent older people (70+) in NOVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about a condo in old town? There are a lot of walkable restaurants and parks and after rush hour ends things are pretty slow.

Strongly support the Old Town idea. It has a small-town vibe but is so easy to live in without a car except when they venture out to see you. It's full of active seniors so they could make friends and get out and see people easily.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would appreciate any and all ideas. My parents would like to relocate to the DC area from another part of the country. They are in their 70s, so at an age when they should think about maybe eventually needing to be in a retirement facility, but for now they're in good health and live fully independently. They're looking in VA because they say "taxes are too high in Maryland." I'm not sure that's a good enough reason to rule MD out entirely, but I'm going with their wishes.

Can anyone recommend towns or communities that cater to older people? My family and I live in NW DC (around Palisades) so they would like to be no more than one hour from that part of DC. Areas with a relatively slow, relaxed pace, would be preferred. I'm sure this is an unrealistic fantasy but ideally they would live somewhere where they could walk a few places (like to get groceries and have a coffee).

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

https://www.trilliumtysons.com/

[Anonymous]

This post is from 2016,

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How about a condo in old town? There are a lot of walkable restaurants and parks and after rush hour ends things are pretty slow.

This is what my friend's parents did when they "downsized" from their SFH near Ballston. I don't know what building but I've seen photos and they're in a stunning newer building with water views.

[Anonymous]

Condo in Reston, near the town center or Lake Anne.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would appreciate any and all ideas. My parents would like to relocate to the DC area from another part of the country. They are in their 70s, so at an age when they should think about maybe eventually needing to be in a retirement facility, but for now they're in good health and live fully independently. They're looking in VA because they say "taxes are too high in Maryland." I'm not sure that's a good enough reason to rule MD out entirely, but I'm going with their wishes.

Can anyone recommend towns or communities that cater to older people? My family and I live in NW DC (around Palisades) so they would like to be no more than one hour from that part of DC. Areas with a relatively slow, relaxed pace, would be preferred. I'm sure this is an unrealistic fantasy but ideally they would live somewhere where they could walk a few places (like to get groceries and have a coffee).

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

To bad, around Friendship Heights there are a few nice Coop Building and that attracts a older crowd and since they limit rentals good for primary owners. Plus a few on that strip are walking distance to Metro and stores. Hate to break the news but putting a bridge between you and your parents is a pain.

[Anonymous]

The Virginian

[Anonymous]

Condos in the Shirlington area of Arlington. Very walkable, lots to do. But fully independent living, not a "retirement community."

[Anonymous]

on-site medical services

These places do not explain, nor guarantee, what medical services are on-site.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Would appreciate any and all ideas. My parents would like to relocate to the DC area from another part of the country. They are in their 70s, so at an age when they should think about maybe eventually needing to be in a retirement facility, but for now they're in good health and live fully independently. They're looking in VA because they say "taxes are too high in Maryland." I'm not sure that's a good enough reason to rule MD out entirely, but I'm going with their wishes.

Can anyone recommend towns or communities that cater to older people? My family and I live in NW DC (around Palisades) so they would like to be no more than one hour from that part of DC. Areas with a relatively slow, relaxed pace, would be preferred. I'm sure this is an unrealistic fantasy but ideally they would live somewhere where they could walk a few places (like to get groceries and have a coffee).

Thanks in advance for any ideas!

They should look a an assisted living community. They can live in an apartment independently now and when they need help later it will be there.

My in laws also in their early 70s and in excellent health (both former athletes and both still very active) and both have had major health issues lately. They also moved last summer and refused to move into an assisted living place. My MIL fell while working out and broke multiple bones- this happened 6 months ago and she’s had to have multiple surgeries. My FIL can do longer drive and had other health issues. It is a mess and they don’t live near us and now are thinking about assisted living but the top ones have wait lists.

My grandmother refused assisted living too now she needs nursing but all the good ones by her have long waitlists. If she had been at the assisted living facility she would have got space when she needed nursing. They have aides and nurses at her home (she is wealthy and can afford excellent care) but even with excellent care she has many no shows or last minute cancelations so her daughter, my mom who still works FT, has to rush over from work to do the care. None of her other kids who all live within 10 minutes won’t do it. It’s a mess. They don’t live close either.

So yeah I would have them look at assisted living communities or senior living places because you don’t want to deal with 2 moves. My in laws thought everyone at those places were “so old.” My husband and I have been flying all over the place to help my in laws and my grandmother and it’s not sustainable. If they are in a facility like this they can help with care when needed.

[Anonymous]

I see this so often where parents want to move closer to their kids in DC. But it's the opposite advice most are given in retirement. Normally you want to retire to a cheaper cost-of-living and one that's just easy to get around, quiet, and low-stress.

I cannot imagine moving anywhere near DC in retirement. Even in Ashburn, F'burg, traffic is a shitshow at all hour of the day.

Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The McLean house. My MIL lives there - lots of older people in the building and also nice amenities. However, they do have a pool and 4 elevators so condo fees are very high.

Nooooooooo

Lots of issues with bad management, power outages, too many units rented to dubious people

Try the Belvedere or Tower Villas in Arlington

In Falls Church City. The Broadway

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The McLean house. My MIL lives there - lots of older people in the building and also nice amenities. However, they do have a pool and 4 elevators so condo fees are very high.

Not OP but approximately how much do the condos run for a 2-bedroom. I live in McLean and would love for my parents to move here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

on-site medical services

These places do not explain, nor guarantee, what medical services are on-site.

Actually, they do state quite clearly what is on campus and what is not. At Ashby Ponds, for example, several internal medicine/family practice physicians and nurse practitioners maintain office hours on campus. If specialty providers are needed, those are external. While there are no guarantees that practitioners will remain in place forever, on-site medical care is a core feature and attraction, and is unlikely to be abandoned.

In any case, the present availability of medical services is more than is or will ever be available on non-CCRC environments.