Senior Living
Jane Skellchock’s move from Maryland to the Atlanta area eight years ago brought her closer to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Then the 79-year-old retired dental hygienist decided to downsize from her three-story home in Gainesville’s Harbour Point Yacht Club. She ended up with the bonus of living next door to one of her sons in Cumming’s Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge. Skellchock chatted about her new home.
Q: Why did you want to move?
A: I was getting out of the large house with the yard. That was the main reason for going to this condo. I had a three-story home in Harbor Point. I loved living there. It was a wonderful neighborhood. I started looking into these 55 and older communities. I decided, “That’s for me.”
Q: Why was this 55-and-up neighborhood appealing to you?
A: This one appealed to me because I am thinking about my driving habits as I am approaching my gray years. I have been down to Exit 14 for shopping. I felt well, gee, I can navigate that. The location is here, all the doctors, the restaurants, the stores.
Q: How did your son learn about the neighborhood?
A: My son came down and he was retiring from his job, and so I was showing him the development. So he said, “Gee mom, I think I might like that style of living, also.” He had his home and he was still living in Maryland. So his wife agreed that yes, I’ll make the move. So it’s working out wonderfully for us.
Q: How did you look at this purchase differently than others?
A: I think we have to look at ourselves and within ourselves to determine: As I approach this phase of my life, what do I want it to be like? What do I feel for the next 10 years I would enjoy doing or having the ability to do? Independence is an absolute must in my life. I have two children that I love dearly, but I don’t want to be a burden to them. I want to feel that I still am a vibrant part of our family.
Q: What’s one way you have seen the impact of downsizing?
A: The smaller house, I just love it. When I get the vacuum out, I can do it in a couple of hours instead of a couple of days.
Q: What’s is a sacrifice you had to make in the move?
A: I loved my yard. I know I’m going to miss that, but there’s still enough yard here that I can go out. In fact I’ve been walking and seeing the weeds in the grass, and I’ve been pulling them. I think there is enough yard that I can be content.
Q: What’s one thing you have in this home that you haven’t had in other homes?
A: I have the new instant hot water heater. After having many homes and … always having to wait for hot water, it’s nice to have this new type of hot water heater. That is a plus in the house.
At a Glance
Jane Skellchock’s new home in Cumming’s Brookhaven at Lanier Ridge has three bedrooms, three baths and about 1,875 square feet. She moved in during December. Homes in the community start in the $220,000s.
