Life In A Senior Affordable High-Rise

DailyArtsyCrafter said:
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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That china cabinet reminds me of the one my mother had as part of her dining room set. It also came with a dresser (though not called that for dining room furniture)...I forgot what they're called. Nice that you have a library and plenty of seating areas. Mailboxes are small though. I like that tribute wall with pictures of those who served.
 
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