On-site amenities a big draw
George Giles says he looked at a number of different retirement communities before moving to Sedgebrook two years ago. He says the attractiveness of Sedgebrook’s landscaping and buildings stood out above the rest. And he says the number of on-site amenities makes his retirement easier than when he was living in his condo.

“[Sedgebrook has] the bank, the hairdresser, pool room, art room, grocery  store, a doctor on the premises,” Giles says. “This is a place where you can do everything you want to do.”

Of course, the amenities and the décor can only go so far in making a community—it’s the people who make it a home, Giles says. At Sedgebrook, living among hundreds of peers makes it easy to meet new friends who share similar interests.

“I’ve met so many intelligent and talented people here,” Giles says.

More free time for leisure
The 50+ Housing Council report indicates that 22% of people who move to agequalified active adult communities cite access to leisure activities as their top reason for moving. In addition to dozens of resident clubs and committees, Sedgebrook also offers live on-site entertainment, day trips to area attractions, weekly happy hours, and other special events.

“[Sedgebrook takes] you places—if you want to travel and go to a gambling boat or go to Galena,” Giles says. “There’s almost too much to do—I thought I was going to kick back and take it easy,” he  jokes.

Not only does Sedgebrook provide plenty of leisure activities on every day of the week, but the lifestyle at the community affords people more free time to pursue hobbies and individual interests. Since all of the home maintenance and much of the cooking is taken care of by the staff, residents find they finally have time to enjoy retirement on their terms.

“Now that I don’t have to prepare three meals a day, I go to computer class once a week, dance-exercise once a week, and art class,” says Sedgebrook resident Ruth Chausow.