Lantern Hill Draws Retirees from Near and Far

Often when people retire, they want to move somewhere close to family or near a major metropolitan area with culture, excitement, and charm.

Chrys Labros got both when she moved from her home state of Wisconsin to Lantern Hill, an Erickson Senior Living community in New Providence, N.J. 

"My husband had recently passed away, and my two daughters live in New Jersey, so it made perfect sense," says Chrys, noting that one daughter lives in Summit, N.J., while the other lives in nearby Westfield, N.J. "Plus, I worked in New York for many years, so I knew the area well." 

Thanks to local volunteer and cultural events, paired with exciting on-campus happenings, Lantern Hill residents--from both near and far--find plenty of ways to stay active and engaged!

Living the life

Before moving to Lantern Hill last November, Chrys joined the Priority List to learn more about the community and explore the campus as much as possible. 

"It's a big decision, so I wanted to have a good sense of the community," she says. 

Chrys even signed up for a Live the Life stay--an exclusive Priority List perk. The program allows members to stay overnight in a furnished residence, utilize amenities, dine at on-campus restaurants, and chat with current residents.

"I stayed two nights in a residence, and it was great to experience actually living in the community beforehand," Chrys says. "They set up lunches and dinners for me with other residents, and I was able to better understand the culture of the community." 

For retirees moving to Lantern Hill from out of state, Live the Life offers real peace of mind. 

"It can be intimidating to move to an unfamiliar area, especially if someone has lived in their current house for 30 or 40 years," notes Sales Director Kate Tanis. "By experiencing the Lantern Hill lifestyle firsthand, you can really envision yourself at the community."

"It's a great program, as it helps prospective residents make a more informed decision," notes Chrys. 

Virtual learning

There are also plenty of virtual opportunities for prospective residents to learn more about Lantern Hill. 

"Prospective residents can view floor plans virtually and take part in monthly educational webinars," says Tanis. 

The webinars shed light on the community's several restaurants, on-campus medical center, clubs, and activities. 

"The webinars have been very helpful for people moving from out of state," says Tanis. "We have a lovely couple who moved from Maryland. Soon after settling in, they wanted to meet me because they recognized me from the webinar!" 

She continues, "We can also connect prospective residents to current residents. Our resident volunteers share information like where they were born, their hobbies, what their jobs were, and where they lived. It helps newcomers start to form connections and friendships before they even move in." 

Hailing from all over 

With so many ways to explore the community, it should come as no surprise that Chrys is just one of many retirees who have made the move to Lantern Hill from out of state. 

"Not everyone here is from New Jersey," says Tanis. "We have had recent moves from Texas, Kansas, Florida, New York, and Maryland."

In fact, because Erickson Senior Living manages a network of communities across the country, some prospective residents will check out an Erickson community close to their house before deciding to move closer to children and grandchildren.

"They can even join the Priority List at their local community and then transfer that deposit to Lantern Hill," she explains. "Many retirees who move here are excited to be closer to family or return to an area they know and love."

The importance of community

And thanks to the many opportunities to meet others, socialize, and pursue hobbies at Lantern Hill, it's easy to make new friends--even if you don't have local connections. 

"Lantern Hill is a very welcoming community," says Tanis. 

Finding a warm, welcoming environment was crucial to Chrys. 

"Both of my daughters have careers and are very busy with their own lives; I do not expect them to visit me every day. There are lots of residents who are willing to help new residents acclimate to their new home," says Chrys, who has already made new friends and looks forward to participating in many more activities. 

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