Another vote for NoVa Erickson options (Ashby Ponds, Woodleigh Chase, Greenspring). https://www.ericksonseniorliving.com/find-a-community

All are CCRCs, so healthy people can start in Independent Living, while recognizing that with increasing age they may need other options available on campus, such as assisted living or memory care. Such environments provide extensive social opportunities, on-site medical services, gyms, pools, restaurants, and other amenities. Many residents claim they wish they had moved in sooner than they did, but that of course depends on individual dispositions and outlooks.

To be eligible, prospective residents must meet medical and financial capability requirements. People who wait until they are too frail to manage on their own may not be admitted.

It's worth taking a tour, even if the present inclination is to carry on in conventional housing.

Anonymous wrote:Goodwin House in Arlington. It is the Ritz of senior living.

You can't be serious.

Central Parke/Lowes Island has no assistance component but it's a really nice situation for active seniors (55+ regs). Beautiful neighborhood, lots of shopping and cost of living a tad lower than Fairfax County.

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!

Was either one of them ever a commissioned officer or a Federal retiree GS14 or above? If so, they should check out Vinson Hall in McLean. Very nice and very affordable.

Glad to help! McLean sounds like the best option for you given your location. We love that the grandchildren can see their grandparents easily and often in Alexandria after school, on the weekends, etc. It makes it all work worth it!

OP here. Thanks so much for these replies! Especially 17:54, very helpful. I'll check out the places in Alexandria mentioned, but I think I should look around McLean and those areas since those will be easier to access from Palisades, as another poster pointed out.

These suggestions are all very helpful, thanks.

I think the Montebello or Porto Vecchio in Alexandria are excellent suggestions. Old Town offers a lovely walkable setting with many restaurants, and enough activities to be entertained. It seems like there is a great mix of retirees, young families and young professionals. Those particular condos have excellent amenities with pools, etc. Also close to the river and GW pkwy bike/walking trails.

If they need a less expensive option, check out the condos in Belmont Bay, Woodbridge. A lovely riverfront setting with golf, pools, tennis, walking trail, etc. Traffic on 95 is awful, of course, but if they don't commute into DC daily, not as much of aconcern. Plus there is a VRE station right in the
Neighborhood.

Our folks (75-76) are at the Montebello Condominiums in Alexandria and LOVING IT! They really like that there is such a range of ages and feel that it keeps them younger. On their floor there are couples with young babies, middle-aged people, and 1 couple like them. This is a stepping stone for them to an independent living or retirement community. (We have deposits at the Goodwin House, the Fairfax, and some place out in Reston that I can't remember the name of, depending on their preferences and who goes first OR if they both go together.)

The amenities are great: indoor pool, outdoor pool, tennis courts, small bowling alley, fitness room, small grocery store, small wooded area for walking, gated, great security, shuttle bus to the Huntington Metro, dedicated indoor parking, hobby rooms in each building for carpentry or painting items, community/party rooms in each building, lots of outdoor parking for add'l cars and guests. Staff is great. Common areas have been recently renovated and the whole place is very well maintained. Dogs up to a certain lb are accepted and there is a huge community of dog owners out and about at all times walking their pets. Quick access to Old Town, the city and the GW Bike Path for being out-and-about. Nice country club right down the street for first-class golf if that is your thing.

They are in a J unit, which is about 1600 square feet, and the largest uncombined unit size. Great balconies off of the LR and the MBR. A huge amount of storage plus a storage unit right off of their indoor parking spot. We had to do a small amount of work when they moved in (kitchen updates, bathrooms updated, hardwood floors throughout). If the unit next door ever goes up for sale then we will pick it up for another 1000 square feet (turn the add'l kitchen into a utility room, convert the LR/DR into a family room with a wet bar area and keep the bed/bath for a live-in). Because of their floor, building and what direction the condo is facing, they have absolutely fabulous views of the WDC skyline.

We looked at the Turnberry (Arlington) and Porto Vecchio (Old Town Alexandria). While both are very nice, and definitely more posh with the 24-hour concierge service, we all felt more comfortable at the Montebello.

Prices are very reasonable, especially the condo fee (under $1K a month) given all the amenities. All told, even with the prior and upcoming renos and add'l unit cost, we figure we've saved just under $1M over the other options.

We are all very happy with their choice!

Anonymous wrote:How much longer do you expect they would live? These Arlington retirement communities are sacked with fees. If they are pretty independent, you don't need that. Sunrise is around 3-4K a month, on top of a condo purchase, and Goodwin is around $2-3K a month. If they live 25 more years that's almost a million dollars in FEES
I would prefer to buy a house or condo close by and do most of the Maintenance myself until they really need assistance. For myself, I am helping my parents buy a place in a very walkable area by a metro but it's also less than a mile away, so I can pop in to help. Better than losing it in fees. Is a senior community important? You could get a condo right beside Jefferson and they can meet friends but not pay the fee

Just pointing out that as they get older their health might prevent them living at the house that you helped your parents to buy. Its not necessarily about lawn care or keeping the paint nice once in a while, its about whether they'll remember they left the stove on, if they get disoriented after being alone outside for more than a few minutes at the time, if they can still read the instructions on their medicine or bathing products, if they can be 'trusted' to use or answer the phones...

As someone who just went through hell with a 80-yr-old grandparent with dementia I can tell you, its nothing like I expected and a solid relief to have the assisted living place take over.

How much longer do you expect they would live? These Arlington retirement communities are sacked with fees. If they are pretty independent, you don't need that. Sunrise is around 3-4K a month, on top of a condo purchase, and Goodwin is around $2-3K a month. If they live 25 more years that's almost a million dollars in FEES
I would prefer to buy a house or condo close by and do most of the Maintenance myself until they really need assistance. For myself, I am helping my parents buy a place in a very walkable area by a metro but it's also less than a mile away, so I can pop in to help. Better than losing it in fees. Is a senior community important? You could get a condo right beside Jefferson and they can meet friends but not pay the fee

Anonymous wrote:OP here. thanks for the replies. I don't know their exact budget but they are middle class/upper middle class with a solid retirement budget, but they've been living in an area with a cheap cost of living so I'm sure they'll have sticker shock here. I think areas around Ballston are going to be too fast-paced for them, I should probably check out Alexandria and Ashburn and the other places recommended.

Any other ideas welcome.

Mclean does have the mid/high rise that is mostly older people. Many downsizers also move to Reston. At one open house in this all were potential downszers inc me. http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/Reston-VA/pmf,pf_pt/condo_type/65731588_zpid/6736_rid/38.965298,-77.33712,38.947578,-77.375829_rect/14_zm/?3col=true Try north reston and then potomc falls. Ashburn is further out.

Apparently there's a huge amount of Sunrise houses in Arlington, tell them to check there.

If they did want to consider MD, I would have them look at Riderwood Village in Silver Spring. My grandfather currently lives there and the place is pretty great for an assisted living community. He lives independently in a condo-type unit with a kitchen etc but eats most of his meals at the dining hall. They also have a housingoptions for people who need more assistance, my grandmother lived in the memory care/hospice area for several months before passing and the staff took excellent care of her. There are sports leagues, field trips, classes etc, plenty to keep people busy! It isnt too far from NW, maybe 30 minutes max

OP here. thanks for the replies. I don't know their exact budget but they are middle class/upper middle class with a solid retirement budget, but they've been living in an area with a cheap cost of living so I'm sure they'll have sticker shock here. I think areas around Ballston are going to be too fast-paced for them, I should probably check out Alexandria and Ashburn and the other places recommended.

Any other ideas welcome.

Goodwin House in Arlington. It is the Ritz of senior living.