Pay the same or less for a lifestyle worth much more

By Robert Doherty
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The U.S. Department of Labor has reported a steady rise in the Consumer Price Index (inflation as experienced by consumers in their day-to-day living expenses) though 2006. Facing such inflation, more and more people are trying to make their dollar go further.

But, the people who live at Brooksby will tell you that you can’t put a price tag on the rich social environment and the never-ending list of amenities and services. That you can’t put a price on the peace-of-mind and security you get at Brooksby.

Actually, you can put a price on it—and it’s less than what you are paying to stay in your house.

Empty rooms
Chances are, you’ve probably been in your house for 10, 20, 30, or more years. For many, staying there seems to be the path of least resistance, or is it? When you consider the mounting costs or the thought of spending another winter shoveling your driveway, it’s enough to make you ill.

“It was an excellent decision moving here. I had a house in Melrose. Taxes had gone up dramatically, oil had gone way up. That last winter I was there I spent $3,000 on oil,” says Dianne Schueler.

Your house was the perfect size when you were raising a family. Now, you no longer need or want all of those empty rooms—or the expense of heating or cooling them, not to mention cleaning them. If you really think about all these things, staying in your house is not only very expensive, but it can be hard work too.

‘Much happier’
Just ask Micki Ratte who moved to Brooksby from Beverly. “I’m no longer having to ask my sons to help me frequently like I did when I lived in a house. I didn’t want to have that type of relationship with them where every time I saw them I was asking for something.

“I feel like we a have a much happier relationship now because when they come visit there is really nothing for them to do except relax and enjoy themselves,” says Micki.