Ashby Ponds Offers a Personalized Approach to Discovering Its Vibrant Lifestyle

When it comes to researching a retirement community, there's nothing quite like seeing it for yourself. That's why Ashby Ponds, an Erickson Senior Living community in Ashburn, Va., offers a variety of ways to explore its vibrant lifestyle, helping prospective residents find the perfect community for them.

"Doing your research and finding a senior living option that fits your goals for retirement is crucial," says Sales Director Elizabeth Freeman. "We want to give people all the information they need to plan ahead."

Mario and Neide Winterstein, unsure of whether they wanted to move to a 55-plus apartment or a retirement community, appreciated being able to explore everything Ashby Ponds has to offer.

"We took advantage of invitations to events, all designed to help us learn more about the community and talk with current residents," says Neide.

And their research paid off. "It was clear that Ashby Ponds was the right place for us!"

Exploring their options

Mario and Neide loved their house in Herndon, Va., but they understood the importance of researching their senior living options well in advance.

"Both of us had to make these decisions for our mothers, and we didn't want to put that burden on our children. We wanted to take charge of the process," explains Mario. "We also wanted to move while we were young and healthy--able to enjoy an active lifestyle."

"We looked at several communities," says Neide.

So, when an invitation to a luncheon arrived in the mail from Ashby Ponds, the Wintersteins were quick to add it to their calendar.

"We decided to check it out," recalls Neide. "We enjoyed talking with the resident ambassadors, learning from their experiences."

Impressed with what they learned, the couple scheduled an appointment with members of the sales team at Ashby Ponds.

"At no time did we ever feel any pressure," says Mario.

"When someone comes in for the first time, we're not trying to sell them on Ashby Ponds. Our goal is simply to educate them," notes Freeman. "Scheduling a personal appointment is a great way to have your questions answered one-on-one."

Priority List perks

Eager to explore the community further, the couple joined Ashby Ponds' Priority List. In addition

to saving their spot in line for a residence, members receive invitations to exclusive events, can sign up for an overnight Live the Life stay, and gain access to planning and moving support.

"They made sure to keep us informed and involved by inviting us to a variety of events," notes Mario.

"We learned something new at each event we attended," says Neide. "We took advantage of events that provided an opportunity to see a variety of apartment homes as well as events that showcased the different clubs and activities. We talked with people involved in the activities we were interested in. It was such a good experience. Everyone was smiling and seemed happy, so we knew life here must be good!"

While the Wintersteins learned a lot during these events, their Live the Life stay was the most impactful. During their two-night stay in a furnished guest suite on campus, they had the chance to utilize amenities, dine at on-campus restaurants, and chat with more current residents.

"Our Live the Life stay was very important in our decision-making," says Mario. "You really get a better feel for the community."

Living the life

Confident that Ashby Ponds met both their current and future needs, the Wintersteins met with the sales team once again to select a residence and prepare for their move.

"They facilitated the entire process with lots of empathy, always helping us not feel stressed," says Neide.

Since their December 2022 move, Mario and Neide have been making the most of the community's vibrant lifestyle. Mario is involved with the astronomy and space science club, woodworking club, and opera group. Neide plays pickleball and is a member of the Friends Acting for Climate Change group.

Together, they play water volleyball, participate in exercise classes, and are members of the Spanish, French, German, and Italian conversation groups.

"One thing we always asked residents when we visited was, ‘Do you have any regrets about moving to Ashby Ponds?'" recalls Mario. "Over and over, we were told that the only regret was not moving sooner. We've been here almost three years, and I can say that it's true! We've found so many benefits from being part of the Ashby Ponds community."

Request more information today to learn more about all the different ways you can explore the vibrant lifestyle at Ashby Ponds.

By Kelly Shue