By Carolyn Crist
For the AJC
When Rebecca Walden decided to downsize, safety and security became her priority in a new property.
She previously visited a friend’s mother at Mount Vernon Towers and remembered liking the senior community with 24-hour security, dining and social activities. Walden, 64, an accountant, talked about her one-bedroom condo in Sandy Springs.
Q: Why did you decide to buy?
A: I wanted to downsize but didn't want to buy a home that would require upkeep and responsibility. I didn't think any apartments were fit for me in this area but then the Towers popped into my head, and it seemed like a perfect situation. The first night here, I had no worries about going to sleep and being afraid. Traffic and the location near work were a cherry on the top of the ice cream.
Q: What do you love about it?
A: I can quickly clean it. It's a small place and I don't have much here, so when I need to clean up, it's almost done for me. On top of that, people cook for you. You can go downstairs and eat three meals a day, and it's nice to have that aspect on days when I work.
Q: What have you added?
A: We took out the carpet and put in hardwood floors and took out the wallpaper and repainted the whole condo. I put in extra shelving since it's a smaller place, especially the bedroom closet to fit all of my clothes. When I decided to get all of this work done, I asked the Towers maintenance manager to contact the contractors, which is priceless to me because I didn't have to worry about who I was hiring and if they would do the work well.
Q: What’s the lifestyle?
A: I appreciate the quietness. After a day of work, I'm able to to go into my home and be in my space. But if I want to be involved and visit someone, I can. There's always something going on for entertainment, and you don't have to get into a car and drive somewhere on a cold night. I look forward to doing more activities and getting to know more people when I retire.
Q: What advice do you have for senior buyers?
A: Find a place that is safe and welcoming to new individuals. Initially, I felt like I was living in a hotel because of the long hallways and the private rooms where you may not go out and see people. Another resident told me she felt the same way and it took her awhile to adjust, but I think that's the beauty of it. If you need to be in your space, you can have time for yourself, but you can also go downstairs and visit others. It's one of my best decisions in my 64 years.
At a Glance
Rebecca Walden’s condo, built in 1985, has one bedroom, one bathroom and 760 square feet. Mount Vernon Towers units range from below $100,000 for a studio to the low $100,000s for a one bedroom and the high $100,000s for two bedrooms.
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