“Move Managers” Made Our Life Transition Much Easier
For many years, we lived happily in our older home in Buckhead’s Tuxedo Park in the summer and in our patio home in Tequesta, Florida, in winter. In January of 2013, however, our Atlanta home was burglarized while we were away. Then, in February, a large pine tree fell on the roof during a storm. All of this prompted us to begin thinking about the next phase of our lives, which would likely involve simpler living arrangements.
Doing Our Homework
We visited retirement communities in both Atlanta and South Florida, and enthusiastically chose Lenbrook. We put our names on the waiting list, but how we dreaded downsizing from a 10-room house with a large attic and 22 years of accumulation! After about a year, an apartment became available at Lenbrook and we took it on the spot. But we had great trepidation about the work involved in the three months ahead until we moved in.
Our Friends’ Advice
We had friends already at Lenbrook and they referred us to the “move managers” who had orchestrated their move. What a blessing they turned out to be! Lenbrook’s contractor was helpful in adding cabinets and bookshelves, customizing closets and making other changes to the apartment. The move managers did a lot of the rest of the work involved in the move.
What Move Managers Do
The move managers advised us on what to keep and what to discard; took vanloads to charity drop-offs; recommended professionals to handle our estate sale of extra furniture and household items; helped us with paint colors and our floor plan for furniture placement; and made the arrangements with the moving company.
The week we moved, the move manager and interior designer who worked with her supervised the packing and told us to show up in our new apartment two days later when all would be ready. We walked in that morning and everything was in its place — the furniture and accessories we treasured and some new furniture to update the look. Pictures were on the wall, beds made, linens and kitchen items put away, and the apartment ready to live in. We were thrilled! With the move managers, the whole downsizing process had been so much less work and less hassle than we had expected.
Peace of Mind
We continue to spend our winters at our Florida home but leave Atlanta with real peace of mind. We have thoroughly enjoyed our first summer at Lenbrook — complete with wonderful fellow residents who are friendly and welcoming and have had interesting, successful lives; good food with lots of choices; and a variety of activities and programs.
We also know that when we need it, health care and any assistance we need with growing older will be there for us at Lenbrook.
Jack and Claire Cross moved into Lenbrook in November, 2016. Jack was the Founder and retired CEO of Harmony Properties, which bought, renovated and managed apartment properties in the Atlanta area. Claire had a 25-year career in economic and investment research and was a partner in JC Bradford, a regional brokerage firm. They both enjoy reading, playing bridge and travel.