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Lifestyle Transitions: Retiring to the Good Life

Special Advertising Section: Retirement residences across the region

by Camille Heidebrecht

Resort-style living and age-restricted communities can be a perfect retirement move. Offering varied amenities, these planned communities are typically situated on beautiful grounds and encourage active, carefree living with fitness programs, social clubs, restaurants, and a wealth of life-enriching activities.

The New England region is home to an array of accommodating and picturesque communities to suit your needs and preferences. Read on to discover more about select properties across New England that are ready to welcome you home!

New Hampshire

Hunt Community is a full-service, not-for-profit continuing care retirement community celebrating more than a century of service. Hunt community strives to create an atmosphere of comfort and security by providing a full continuum of care.

Located in historic downtown Nashua, on 16 acres with independent apartments, assisted-living and nursing care, the Hunt Community is less than an hour from Boston-and the serenity of the ocean or mountains. Amenities include one meal per day in the dining room or café, indoor and outdoor maintenance, housekeeping, and transportation. Common areas consist of a fitness center, two libraries, a beauty salon, and billiard's room.

Visit www.huntcommunity.org or call toll free, 1-888-258-4868.

Connecticut

Nestled on 22 acres in Southbury, Pomperaug Woods presents a refreshing outlook to retirement life. This adult community (for those 62-plus) represents the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and charm.

From flexible dining options to the many cultural events, everything at Pomperaug Woods is designed to make life pleasant. The area is noted for its golf courses, restaurants, museums, and historic homes. Plus, New Haven, Boston, and New York City are all within easy reach.

As a lifecare retirement community, Pomperaug Woods gives priority access to higher levels of health care for its residents with one predictable monthly fee. When needed, the onsite Medicare-certified health center provides skilled nursing, rehabilitation services, and respite care.

Visit www.pomperaugwoods.com or call 866-817-8935

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Maine

Built in Scarborough in 2001, Piper Shores is Maine's only nonprofit, lifecare retirement community.

Situated on 138 acres with 80 feet of ocean frontage, Piper Shores is comprised of independent-living apartments and cottages.

Piper Shores is equipped with many of the amenities retirees are looking for such as beautiful gardens, a fitness center, an indoor pool, a clinic, a library, and a woodworking shop. Piper Shores also supplies transportation to supermarkets, appointments, and events.

Plus, the community is just minutes away from the cultural mecca of Portland, which was recently named one of the Top 10 Places to Retire by U.S. News & World Report (October 2008.)

Residents benefit from lifecare, which guarantees priority access to assisted living and nursing care onsite with a predictable monthly payment. In addition, the entrance fee is 90% refundable.

Visit www.pipershores.org or call 888-333-8711.

Quarry Hill is midcoast Maine's premier extended-care community for adults 55-plus. Perched atop the seaside village of Camden, Quarry Hill promotes a refreshing approach to retirement for its residents: the freedom to do what they want, easy access to the care they need, and, above all, the pleasure of waking up each day to Maine's scenic coast.

Quarry Hill has many options: independent living in its rental apartments; cooperative home ownership in its cottages; day-to-day support in its assisted-living housing, The Terraces; dedicated care for those with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of memory loss in The Courtyard; and long-term nursing care in its rehabilitation facility, The Gardens.

Each week offers organized fitness and meditation classes, shopping trips, and movie nights. Plus, the calendar brims with parties, "fireside chats," field trips, and concerts.

Visit www.quarryhill.org or call 207-230-6100.

Massachusetts

Kimball Farms, a continuing-care retirement community in Lenox, offers gracious retirement living in the heart of the Berkshires. Renowned as the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, Lenox flourishes with pastoral scenery, elegant shops, and spectacular events year-round.

Located only two and a half hours from New York City and Boston, and only 45 minutes from Albany, Kimball Farms assures a complete continuum of care throughout the retirement years.

Residents enjoy independent living with a friendly staff and one gourmet meal per day. Apartments include full kitchens, high ceilings, spacious closets, outdoor patios or balconies, and seven different floor plans. Plus, the entrance fee is 90% refundable.

Kimball Farms also provides assisted living and skilled care under a lifecare contract, which covers a resident's care for the rest of their life.

Visit www.kimballfarms.org or call 800-283-0061.

Established in 1989, Southgate at Shrewsbury is a privately owned retirement community on 30 picturesque acres in historic Shrewsbury.

Less than an hour from Boston, Southgate is "country quaint" and home to approximately 270 retirees. Its residents appreciate independent living free from home maintenance, housekeeping, and yard work.

Southgate offers spacious apartments and plenty of amenities including: restaurant-style dining, indoor swimming, theater, educational programs.

Most importantly, Southgate is an independent living, continuing-care facility with the option of assisted living, skilled nursing care, and rehabilitation services on campus. Southgate's assited-living, Hampton Suites, provides 24-hour staffing, medication management, housekeeping, laundry service, transportation, and more.

Visit www.southgateatshrewsbury.com or call 800-492-8331.

Ready to move on in?
As you plan for your retirement needs, these communities are well equipped to help you relax and enjoy.