Residents Share the Advantages of Moving to A Brand-New Residence Building

Ashby Ponds, an Erickson Senior Living community in Ashburn, Va., will welcome more than 150 new residents when Leesburg Landing, the final independent living residence building, opens this year. 

As the community prepares to greet its newest members, residents Arvind and Suniti Bhand reflect on the unique advantages of moving to a brand-new residence building. 

Last February, the Bhands moved into one of 110 new residences in Harpers Mill--along with dozens of other retirees--soon after it opened. 

"It was nice that we were all new together," says Suniti. "I think it was a help for everyone."

"We learned a lot together," agrees Arvind. "As we met our neighbors, we discovered Ashby Ponds together, asking questions and participating in exciting offerings. It was a lot like starting college as a freshman."

A smooth move

Conducting their due diligence, Arvind and Suniti carefully researched their senior living options before moving to Ashby Ponds. 

"We realized that, sooner or later, we would need to move from our house in Centerville, Va.," recalls Arvind. "But we never wanted to be in a position where we had to move. Instead, we wanted to move when we could enjoy all that the community offered while also having time to acclimate to our new lives."

He continues, "As a result, we decided to move ten years earlier than we needed to. We began looking at retirement communities in the area and very quickly decided that Ashby Ponds was the best choice."

With their decision made, the Bhands began working closely with Isabel "Izzy" Wilson, Ashby Ponds' planning and moving consultant--a perk offered to members of the Priority List. Visiting the couple in their house, she provided them with a list of preferred moving professionals and helped them decide what items to bring to their residence. 

"Everything worked out very nicely," says Arvind. "We chose to work with all the recommended moving professionals, and that made both our move and the sale of our house a breeze."

He continues, "Our movers helped us pack, downsize, and even put everything away in our new apartment home. Meanwhile, our real estate agent worked really hard to make our experience stress-free, and the service was top-notch. I believe it's a good idea to get all the help you can when it comes to moving. And Izzy and her team were spectacular." 

A warm welcome

"Once we moved in, we found it was very easy to meet people," says Arvind. "Whether meeting the people who were moving in with us or people who have lived at Ashby Ponds for a while, everyone is outgoing and welcoming, sharing information and doing what they can to make our move and our transition easier." 

"There is something special about moving to a new building at the same time as your neighbors," says Sales Director Elizabeth Dunwoody. "Over the last 16 years, we've opened 16 new residence buildings, welcoming more than 2,100 retirees in total. That experience provides us with insight into how we can best meet the needs of new residents. As a result, we've created a variety of programs aimed at helping our newest members feel welcome and appreciated."

Members of the resident-run welcome committee enlist the help of volunteers who reach out to new residents as they move in, providing helpful information and an invitation to dinner.

Floor and building socials are another popular program that encourage new residents to meet their neighbors. In many cases, these socials, happy hours, and parties are hosted by building and floor captains. 

"We have the most wonderful floor captains who plan gatherings," confirms Arvind. "They've organized several floor parties which have been another great way to meet our neighbors."

Living the good life

Since settling into their residence, Arvind and Suniti have enjoyed exploring a variety of hobbies and interests. 

Suniti visits the fitness center and attends monthly book club meetings. And within months of the couple's move, she participated in the community's art exhibit, showcasing her talent with acrylic paints. 

"I've really enjoyed meeting new people, especially those who like to paint like I do," she says. 

Arvind, an avid bridge player, joins friends for several games each week. 

"I'm also rediscovering chess, a game I haven't played in many years, and working with a personal trainer in the fitness center," he notes. "I also started playing bocce, something I knew very little about before moving to Ashby Ponds. There is so much to take part in!"

To learn more about affordable, independent senior living at Ashby Ponds, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and so much more.