By Melissa Borgerding
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
Space was foremost on Dan and Lucia Valerio’s minds when they decided to take a look at Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains. Their two-story house of nearly 40 years in Morristown included an attic and a basement “where a lot of things collected,” Lucia Valerio says.
After touring several model homes at Cedar Crest, the couple chose a two bedroom apartment home with a spacious sunroom and moved there in May. “It has plenty of space for us, and we were finally able to get rid of all the things we never used,” they say.
Demand for one-level living soars
The Valerios are not alone in wanting a little more convenience in their living space. A survey by The American Institute of Architects (AIA) finds an increasing demand for single-level home designs, not just among older Americans, but baby boomers as well. One-level homes provide greater accessibility and are generally more costeffective— benefits that appeal to busy people of all ages.
New homes are also moving away from the boxy rooms, narrow hallways, and separate living and dining rooms of years past in favor of larger, more flexible spaces. In fact, 66% of firms surveyed by the AIA report that more homes are being designed with this open space layout.
‘Right-sizing’ for the future
“Moving to Cedar Crest isn’t about downsizing to a smaller space,” says Helen Waldrop, one of the community’s two retirement counselors. “It’s about rightsizing’ to a space that better fits your life today and your goals for the future.”
“Basically, our architects have taken the most-used rooms of your house and laid them out on a single level,” adds Lisa Bentson, Cedar Crest’s second retirement counselor.
Looking toward the future, the Valerios could see where certain elements of their two-story house would eventually cause inconveniences. “I don’t have any difficulty with stairs now,” Dan Valerio says, who is a picture of health and energy. “But it’s a pleasure not to think about them.”