Wilton Crossing Celebrates One Year!

Wilton Crossing, one of the amenity-rich residence buildings at Avery Point, an Erickson Senior Living community in Short Pump, Va., is celebrating its first year!

Wilton Crossing residents, now settled in their homes, are taking advantage of all the activities just steps from their front doors and reflecting on their journeys to the community with gratitude. 

Perfect timing

Kathy and Tony Garrett were living just east of Charlottesville, Va., when they heard about Wilton Crossing. 

"What I liked is that it was all brand new and everybody moving in was going to be new," says Kathy. 

Reservations for Wilton Crossing were booked solid, so they decided to join the Priority List--securing their spot in line for the next residence building. 

"But no matter what building we ended up in," says Tony, "we had specific requests for our home--to be on the first floor and back to the woods."

Luckily, they didn't have to play the waiting game for long. In December 2023, Kathy and Tony asked their son, daughter, and their families--who were in town for the holidays--if they would like to tour Avery Point. Even though it was pouring rain, they said yes.

As they were looking around campus, they ran into Sales Counselor Alyssa Himes, so Kathy asked her if there happened to be any residences available without long wait times. Turns out that, due to a cancellation, they had a two-bedroom, two-bath Northvale layout open on the first floor of Wilton Crossing. 

Not only that, but it backed to the woods with a screened porch.

"Our jaws just dropped!" recalls Kathy. "I took that as a sign. We could not have been more fortunate."

Active and engaged

Although they're self-described introverts, the Garretts have become really involved in community life and made lots of new friends since moving to Wilton Crossing. 

"We're much more socially active than we were before, and part of that is because everyone we've met here has been friendly, open, and conversational," says Tony. 

As a devoted bridge player, Kathy quickly discovered that there were two duplicate bridge games--also known as tournament bridge--going each month, but she thought they needed more. So, Kathy started new duplicate bridge groups and now heads four games a month. 

But that's not all. "I like to do line dancing, and I've been taking different exercise classes to see what I like best," says Kathy. 

Tony plays pickleball, visits the fitness center three times a week, and goes golfing on Mondays with a group of men including some Avery Point neighbors. He also frequently walks their Havanese mix named Phoebe.

"I love our place here--everything about it. I think the staff and the administration are really outstanding, and I like all the amenities," says Tony. "I like having the opportunity to socialize with people who are enjoyable to be around."

Lots to love

Linda Dennis is also living life to the fullest at Wilton Crossing--in her "very spacious" one-bedroom, one-bath Cranford residence.

"It has a large living area, and the bedroom is big," says Linda. "The kitchen is well-equipped, which is great."

Linda has made friends and stayed active by joining groups and taking advantage of the community's amenities. The wine club has taught her how to pair wines with food and has been "a good way to meet people," she says.

In addition, Linda is a member of a book club, has taken stability classes in the fitness center, and does a lot of walking around the community.

The on-campus medical center has been a huge benefit, as well. In fact, one of the reasons she moved from Northern Virginia to Avery Point is because all the specialists she sees are located in Richmond, Va. 

Soon after settling into her residence, Linda elected one of the health care professionals in the medical center as her primary care physician. 

"It's been a pleasant experience," she says. "I've even used the podiatrist who visits, and he solved the issue I was having."

"But the main reason I'm here is I feel totally safe," adds Linda, who was looking for a community where she would be well cared for and have access to a range of health care services, if or when she needs them in the future. "I'm delighted I'm here!"

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