By Julia Wood
The following story is part of a joint project between myLifeSite and Senior Correspondent where we ask people to report on their senior living decision process.
When my husband and I retired after forty years in academia, we were in our sixties, healthy, and active. We had no interest in a retirement community at the time. “Maybe later,” we told ourselves. We weren’t ready yet.
Six years later, we live in a senior community—and we love it. We don’t have to live here for health reasons; we choose to because it enriches our daily lives.
At first, retirement felt liberating. We enjoyed not going to campus every day. But after the initial excitement faded, we noticed how much of our social life had come from work: meetings, shared meals, casual conversations with colleagues in nearby offices. Without the built-in social rhythm of university life, we began to feel isolated in our rural neighborhood, where houses sat on large lots and we might not see neighbors for months.
We also grew tired of the endless maintenance tasks that accompany homeownership—cleaning gutters, managing leaves and mulch, power washing decks, maintaining heating and cooling systems, dealing with plumbing, and deep cleaning. These chores took up time we wanted to spend on other things.
That realization started us looking at retirement communities. At first our search was tentative and hesitant; we told ourselves we were only exploring options for later. It didn’t take long to discover how mistaken our assumptions were.
At open houses we met residents who were friendly, engaged, and lively. They showed us that retirement communities aren’t just for people who need care; they are for people who want an active, social life without the burden of constant home maintenance and with access to support if health needs arise in the future.
About a year into our search, we stopped saying “We’re not ready.” We were ready—and eager—to move to Galloway Ridge in Pittsboro, North Carolina. Set within a walkable village, Galloway Ridge features streams, trails for walking and hiking, and a village center with shops, restaurants, and an independent bookstore.
Four years after moving here, our decision has been confirmed repeatedly. We enjoy no longer worrying about home upkeep and instead having time for interests and relationships. Some evenings we stroll with neighbors to a nearby village for beer, wood-fired pizza, and live music. Other nights we gather for dinner with friends—sometimes at a neighbor’s home, sometimes in one of the community dining venues.
We’ve also kept many activities we valued before moving—and now we have more time for them. We travel, attend games and community events, and pursue volunteer work. I continue to write books and volunteer with an animal sanctuary. My husband remains active with environmental groups and still enjoys trekking in the Himalayas and across England. We recently adopted a puppy who loves having an extended family of residents and their dogs.
For us, moving into a retirement community has expanded our freedom rather than limiting it. It has given us social connection, fewer chores, and more time to pursue the things we love while knowing support is available if we need it in the future.