Life In A Senior Affordable High-Rise

I am thankful every day I live here in my apartment. Not anything like yours though. But I love it.

The St. Johns River?????? That is MY river! I grew up a mile from it. I watch videos about it all the time. My school friend, who is my friend on FB lives near it now and I love the videos and pictures she post about it. Now I have to say you are REALLY lucky! To have that river as your view out those beautiful windows is truly something special.

Well, you know we each have what is best for us. To us it is the best. We get in trouble when we do too much comparing with others. 😊 You have something, that I was sorry to leave in TN, that I won't have again...❄️☃️❄️. I would have preferred to move further north where I could continue to enjoy it. Doesn't look like my son and sister will ever leave this area though. That's why I had to give up snow and come back here. But I will decorate with a snow theme during the holidays!
 
The Foyer & Reception Rooms
The two reception areas, while outdated and with dark wood and muted colors, are spacious with plenty of comfortable seating.

Right Receptionb.jpg

When I visited the property twice, I didn't notice the water damage on the reception rooms carpets until I took these recent pics. There is no mildew or old smell anywhere in the building though.

This area floods easily because of the St Johns River. I don't know if they tried to clean the water damage in the carpets or if they plan to replace them.

Left Receptionb.jpg

The foyer divides the reception rooms and also has the front desk. Any flyers not clipped to the residents' doors are left on the two tables. Every Tuesday morning free bread is left on one of the tables. It seems to come from Publix.

Foyerb.jpg

All visitors have to check in at the front desk and check out when leaving.

The windows replacement preparations are going on but no crane is yet in the back. There are vehicles in the back, including a tractor trailer, but we can still use the back door. Eventually, it will be closed during the upgrade.

Here are a couple views of the back but further away. Early last Sunday morning, I had a very nice walk. It was cloudy, gray and drizzly and a perfect temp. Of course, very little traffic too, a perfect time to enjoy the neighborhood.

Back Viewa.jpg

Back View.jpg

I plan to share pics of the crane and activities when it starts. It will be more interesting then. 😊

Reminder: If you want me to un-tag you, let me know and I'll kindly comply.

@Kaila @Jules @CaliS @PeppermintPatty @Coco @squatting dog @JustBonee @Pinky @katlupe @IrishEyes @Jazzy1 @Pepper @CinnamonSugar @hollydolly @astralcat @CallMeKate @Medusa @MACKTEXAS
 
Are you within walking distance to stores, library, restaurants, etc.? Very nice lobby!

Thanks! Yes, within walking distance especially to lots of restaurants and specialty fast foods, a Wendy's, mostly boutique stores though, lots of doctors and medical care, the main museum, spas and cosmetology, a Y, churches, 2 major parks and a Publix. A large artists' street market is held 2 blocks away every Saturday. Since I'm so close to downtown, I can catch 3 different buses to anywhere else I want to go. A library is a short distance away on one of those bus routes and there's the main library downtown, about 2 miles away.
 
Last edited:
Sounds like you're in an ideal location, @DailyArtsyCrafter! :)
I do feel that I am in the best location for this area. I meant to add, in my reply to @katlupe, that this is an historic community. They are usually called five points or sometimes four points in large towns where several streets join at an intersection. The area is full of old houses, many of which have been converted to commercial, new multi-use properties, old and new apartments and condos, vintage thrift, along with sidewalks and trees everywhere. There are also trendy bars, of course.

Is there an accredited hospital near the building and doctor's offices?
There is a large, well-established hospital in the community, one of several in town. I don't know which ones are accredited.
 
Last edited:
Foggy Day & Clouds.jpg

I finally have gotten to see some clouds. Mostly, the sky has been a pretty, flat blue. Someone commented that I can see big sky. So true and I love it! Since childhood, I've loved being able to clearly see the weather. Twice there has been rain clouds and today, we had a nice, heavy shower. The bottom pic is a foggy day. We have had heavy fog for 2-3 days.


Condos & Architecture.jpg

Here are 3 condos and you can also see some of the varied architecture in this community.

Sailboat.jpg

I was working at my computer one day, glanced up and saw this nice sailboat. I am going to upgrade to a better camera because I also like to take pics of the moon. I tried to zoom in for a better view of this sweet watercraft and it got a little grainy.

I have seen different types of boats at various times; a small cabin cruiser that spends time anchored in the center of the river, an occasional motor boat, some type of large narrowboat and a tug boat twice pulling a small barge. I think another boat was also pushing it.

The most boats I've seen at one time was on a Sunday when 5 speedboats were on their own courses all along the river. Some of the white, foamy wakes were straight and others curved.

I wish I could see a regatta but I've never heard of one here. I'd love to see a large number of sails. Maybe I'll be ambitious and paint one in watercolor or acrylics or both. You can see more of the architecture in this pic.

Riverside House.jpg

This is our sister apartments building which is a couple of blocks away behind Wendy's. In the sunset pic, you can see Wendy's near the bottom right. They are studios only with a small efficiency kitchen that has a full fridge, a two-burner cooktop on a small counter and a microwave.

They also serve meals and the residents are charged for this service. These residences are for those who need a little more help with their independent living. Like my property, they are senior income-based.

Publix.jpg

In this pic you can see Publix near the center, a red brick building with the green Publix lettering near the top.

This upcoming weekend I will return with sharing the common areas of my building, after having shared the front foyer and reception rooms last week.
-----------------------------------------------
This diary is for those who are interested in obtaining a senior, income-based apartment and for those who are just curious.

Reminder: If you want me to un-tag you, let me know and I'll kindly comply.

@Kaila @Jules @CaliS @PeppermintPatty @Coco @squatting dog @JustBonee @Pinky @katlupe @IrishEyes @Jazzy1 @Pepper @CinnamonSugar @hollydolly @astralcat @CallMeKate @Medusa @MACKTEXAS @OneEyedDiva
 
@DailyArtsyCrafter Nice foyer. I like that you can look out the floor to ceiling windows into the garden. Is that a courtyard? Also, does anyone actually play that piano? The walkability and access to public transportation is comparable to my neighborhood, which has a walk score of 98%.

It's great that you've found such a nice place to live and are kind enough to share it with us. And that you for your kind reply to me in your post #64 (page 3).
 
Last edited:
Loved the post, including those fantastic views. Very glad for you. ☺️
A camera purchase seems worthwhile for that setting!

Painting there, seems would be great, as well!🤩🥰
Thank you! Been wanting to upgrade my camera for awhile. Get frustrated when I try to take good pics of the moon. Will do a post asking for suggestions when I'm ready to buy. Yes, I can sit at the window and paint sort of plein air without going out.

You have urban living interspersed with nature. I’d love to be so near the water. Even just being able to look out and seeing it is great.
Yes, I do get to see birds flying around, black birds (crows or ravens or something), ducks and sea gulls. I saw a large, white stork or crane just today fly and settle into the trees here on the property. It began to stretch its long neck and eat off the trees. I rushed and got my phone to take pics this time but they didn't come out well. When I use the zoom on my phone the pics get grainy. It was out there for some time, flapping to three different locations in the trees. I was really surprised. I didn't know they did that.

@DailyArtsyCrafter Nice foyer. I like that you can look out the floor to ceiling windows into the garden. Is that a courtyard? Also, does anyone actually play that piano? The walkability and access to public transportation is comparable to my neighborhood, which has a walk score of 98%.

It's great that you've found such a nice place to live and are kind enough to share it with us. And that you for your kind reply to me in your post #64 (page 3).
Thanks and you're welcome! Yes, it's a sort of courtyard. There are 4 sitting areas on the property and walkways. I will be sharing pics in the spring when more flowers and plants are in bloom. North FL was hit with extra cold temps this winter. I saw that there are some succulents. I hope they made it. I saw what I think is a pretty oleander bush that looked like it was faring very well.

I don't know if the pianos are played but the calendar showed choir practice at 5 today. I love the neighborhoods with high walk scores. Yes, I'm on a mission to share not only about my place but what I've learned in general about income-based senior housing. Many seniors don't understand about what is available and how easy it can be to get a nice, income-based, senior apartment.

Most only think of local housing authority properties. Many of those can be undesirable or have waitlists many years long. I hope to provide info that will open someone's eyes to the potential in his/her area. Their lives can be improved by getting into an affordable place.
You are a very lucky person living in an affordable senior apartment with a nice view.
Thank you, I feel very lucky and blessed. When I applied here I didn't really expect to get in. I felt that lots of seniors applied because of the vibrant and convenient area of town. I thought the wait time would be too long and that I'd find something else well before then. That's why I advise anyone if you really like a place, no matter what they tell you about the wait list, take time to apply anyway.

This view that I got was a total surprise to me. I didn't realize that the front of the building had this view. I knew that one of the amenities listed for the property was riverviews but I wasn't thinking about that when I applied. I learned that a corner of the river could be seen from the apartments on the back side and I thought that was nice. I thought the front faced all land.

This view is because this is a very old property built in the late 60's. Nowadays, I think it is rare that new senior income-based housing is built (and more are being built every day everywhere) on land with this type of water views because these locations are now prime real estate. And I haven't seen that they are building senior high-rises anymore. The new ones are mid-rises, 4-5 stories max, if they are not cottages.
 
Last edited:
I think it is rare that new senior income-based housing is built (and more are being built every day everywhere) on land with this type of water views because these locations are now prime real estate.
Very true. In my town, some senior apartments are being built on a vacant lot with a view of nothing, within walking distance of nothing except a real estate office, a fancy, high-priced bakery, and a barber shop. And the barber shop will be the only essential service and only for those of the senior men who still have their hair. But there are only a few neighborhoods in this town which have walkability and they're prime real estate areas, thus causing the wait lists for the limited senior housing that's in walkable areas to grow even longer.

I guess the lesson to be learned from this is don't grow old in a rural or suburban area. But I hope you keep posting about where you live, Daily; it gives me something to daydream about. ;)
 
Very true. In my town, some senior apartments are being built on a vacant lot with a view of nothing, within walking distance of nothing except a real estate office, a fancy, high-priced bakery, and a barber shop. And the barber shop will be the only essential service and only for those of the senior men who still have their hair. But there are only a few neighborhoods in this town which have walkability and they're prime real estate areas, thus causing the wait lists for the limited senior housing that's in walkable areas to grow even longer.

I guess the lesson to be learned from this is don't grow old in a rural or suburban area. But I hope you keep posting about where you live, Daily; it gives me something to daydream about. ;)

Often the cheapest land is sourced too, sometimes in what is called urban infill areas, which are usually in less desirable parts of town. But sometimes they are built near shopping malls too. The partnerships and funding are so varied. Properties that are converted into senior housing, like old schools and other buildings, can be located in nice, walkable areas.

In my searches, I ran across a story about a huge facility in Los Angeles that was converted into senior housing. The apartments had long concrete balconies and I was reading the story of a woman who lived there. I don't remember what the building used to be or the exact location. I think it was some type of abandoned government facility located in a convenient area. If I had wanted to move back to LA (I lived there for a year in the 80's) I would have tried to get into that place.

Yes, I will be continuing to post. That's why I'm stretching it out weekly, so I'll have something to share for a long time.
 
Foyer Cabinet & Military.jpg

Mailboxes Foyer & Hardback Library

Though I don't really care for brown furniture, this is a nice cabinet in the front lobby near the front desk. I think it is unique that our front desk is open 24/7. There are 5 employees who man the shifts. I've only met 2 and not the overnighters. The offices are closed after hours and on weekends.

We have this photo board of residents who have served in the military. I don't know how often it is updated. Maybe photos are removed when someone moves or passes away. I guess any veteran who moves here can submit their photo for this wall. I think the application also asks if the person is a veteran, so the leasing agent is aware of who is a veteran. I don't recall seeing a board like this at the 3 other senior apartments where I've lived.

Mailboxes.jpg

These are the mailboxes, which are in the main hallway, which leads to the 2 elevators and back entrance foyer on the left, the hardback library on the left and the main floor activity rooms on the left and right. Our apartment key is also our mailbox key. There are no large mailboxes to get packages in. Anything that does not fit in our small mailboxes has to be picked up at the front desk. The postperson leaves a note in our box telling us to check.

FedEx, Amazon, UPS, etc., deliveries are left at the front desk and logged in. The desk clerk then calls the resident to say there is a package. Though I'd rather get my own packages out of a lock box or have the delivery left outside my door like at the other tower I lived in, this is a good system. It avoids deliveries being made to the wrong apartment or floor. Though I've not known of a problem with theft from apartment doorways, if you're not home, your pkg is safe in the apartments mailroom until you return.

The good thing about towers ~vs~ cottages is that residents don't have to go outside to get their mail, use the laundry room or fitness center or to participate in activities in a separate community building or clubhouse. When the weather is bad, frigid or scorching, we can remain inside toasty warm or cool and comfy. Even though I have to adjust to the 10th floor height, this makes it worth it. Everything is open 24/7. If you can't sleep, you can go to the basement and work on a puzzle. You can use the treadmill at 4am. I like washing clothes at 1 and 2am, and even beyond, so I can be alone, at peace and not talk if I don't want to. 🤣

When these amenities are in separate buildings, the residents' access varies. If these areas are connected with the office(s) building, sometimes they can be locked when the office is closed. There is a single-story place that I was considering where the mailboxes are in the office building. Residents are restricted to getting their mail before the office closes. I guess they can't get their mail on Saturdays. I don't know what working residents who get off after hours do about their mail pickup. Maybe they authorize a neighbor to get it for them. I would not like that situation.

Hardback Library.jpg

This is the entrance to the hardback library. The paperback library is in the basement. I was reading the guidelines on the door. I think it said that they do not accept donations older than 2011, unless they are special for some reason. I don't come out of my apartment very often 😄 but I've never seen anyone in here. Though small, it seems very quiet and comfortable. The windows look out on the back parking lot.

Hardback Librarya.jpg

The books are in very good shape, I guess because they are not ancient. I like to read older gothic, Victorian, some classics, etc., books. I won't find any by Mary Stewart, Catherine Cookson, Anna Gilbert, Daoma Winston, Victoria Holt, the Bronte sisters and the likes, unless they are modern reprints.

Hardback Libraryb.jpg

This is looking from the back of the library out the door towards one of the activity rooms or lounges. I like the library but I think they should allow older books, at least from 1965 forward. That would allow many gothics that were popular in the 60s and 70s.

That was when I discovered them and was voraciously reading the ones that my aunt passed to my mother. She hid them, well not hid but she stashed them away as she read them and when I discovered them I began to scavenge them at night. 🤭

The library is seeking volunteers to help sort and shelve books. I've seen boxes of books and a full library rolling rack. I may give it a try later on.

The windows replacement is ongoing. The contractors are using a hanging scaffold platform, not a crane. I've heard that some residents are angry because the window screen area is smaller. I don't really like that but I'm thankful for this; that they have screens at all and that they are not framing in part of the large window frames and installing smaller windows.

-----------------------------------------------

This diary is for those who are interested in obtaining a senior, income-based apartment and for those who are just curious.

Reminder: If you want me to un-tag you, let me know and I'll kindly comply.

@Kaila @Jules @CaliS @PeppermintPatty @Coco @squatting dog @JustBonee @Pinky @katlupe @IrishEyes @Jazzy1 @Pepper @CinnamonSugar @hollydolly @astralcat @CallMeKate @Medusa @MACKTEXAS @OneEyedDiva
 
Last edited:
Back
Top