Lantern Hill Priority List Members Plan with Confidence

Gregory J. Alexander
February 4, 2025
Lantern Hill

When Tom and Carol Arnold were exploring senior living options near their house in Basking Ridge, N.J., they grew fond of the idea of moving to a continuing care retirement community, as additional support would be available on campus, if or when their health care needs change in the future. 

Boasting an on-campus medical center and continuing care neighborhood, Tom and Carol knew that Lantern Hill, an Erickson Senior Living community in New Providence, N.J., was the community for them.

So, to best prepare for their future move, the couple joined Lantern Hill's Priority List--an exclusive membership that grants invites to social and educational events, right of first refusal on available floor plans, early access to amenities, and planning and moving services. 

"It's much more than a waiting list," says Tom. "They send you information, invitations to exclusive seminars, and it opens the door to the community, even before you move in." 

"Whether you're looking to move within a year, six months, or five years from now, joining the Priority List is the way to go," says Kate Tanis, sales director at Lantern Hill.

Time well spent

Priority List members are the first to hear about community news and updates and receive invitations to educational events.

"We have a newsletter for Priority List members as well as webinars about various topics such as dining, finance, health care, and fitness. They can listen to the webinars live or via a recording at their leisure," explains Tanis. 

Members can look forward to line dancing, a chocolate-themed event, a wine tasting, and multiple "Meet the Executive Team" panels, where attendees can meet executives from different community departments. 

Another perk of the Priority List is the chance to sign up for Live the Life, an overnight experience in a furnished guest suite with an open invitation to sample amenities and attend activities. 

Your first choice

While members appreciate the opportunities to learn more about community life, perhaps the greatest benefit is first choice of available floor plans. 

After the Arnolds joined the Priority List, "The sales team stayed in touch with us, and we knew that they were looking out for us," says Tom. "The Priority List was a great way for them to find us the right home." 

Carol agrees. "When you join the Priority List, the sales staff knows you are interested, and they are great at letting you know when an apartment home is available that may be a good fit and aligns with your needs," she says. 

"And if you say no to a residence that becomes available, you still retain your place and position in line," explains Tanis. 

Tom and Carol ultimately decided to combine two adjacent one-bedroom residences into one larger home.

"There was lots of flexibility to design the space we needed," says Carol. "It was important to be on Lantern Hill's radar, and that is what the Priority List provides."

A smooth move

Once construction on their residence was underway, Tom and Carol enlisted the help of planning and moving experts--another perk of the Priority List. 

After living in their house for 37 years, they were ready to downsize and find new homes for some of their belongings. 

"We had a finished basement, which makes it easy to accumulate a lot of stuff," says Carol, with a laugh. "Our two sons came over and helped us decide whether we really needed certain items. And a move manager came to our home and measured our furniture and helped us decide what we wanted to take to Lantern Hill."

In fact, Carol had some dishes that were her great uncle's. Fortunately, their daughter-in-law wanted them. "Lantern Hill's move manager helped with the packing and shipping of the dishes," she notes. "We worked together, and the move manager's insight and expertise was extremely helpful."

Don't wait!

If Lantern Hill and these perks are of interest to you, Tanis recommends joining the Priority List sooner than later. 

"Perhaps the greatest benefit now is securing your spot in line for a floor plan," she explains. "We are on pace to sell out, so homes are going to become few and far between."

Tanis adds, "Plus, it's risk free! The onetime $1,000 deposit gets applied to the entrance deposit for your residence or will be fully refunded, if you ultimately decide to move somewhere else."

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

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