This story is based on an interview with Amy Leaitu, 56, of Bellevue, Washington, an HR analyst for a 911 call center. It has been edited for length and clarity.
Almost every weekday evening after work, my husband, Dominic, 57, and I meet a bunch of neighbors in the bar of our 22-story building. We're always gossiping and having fun, and we say we are like our own "Cheers" group, after the characters on the 1980s TV show.
It doesn't matter that some are old enough to be our parents.
We love spending time with them so much. They're one of the main reasons we moved into the senior living facility in the first place.
The concept only came onto our radar after my mom and stepfather moved into a 55+ community about a decade ago. They're snowbirds and split their year between their home in Vancouver, Washington, and the complex near Las Vegas.
As soon as I visited, I thought, "What a great idea!" There were tons of like-minded folks and activities, including pickleball , gardening, and a happy-hour club.
Dominic Leaitu (center) with his father-in-law, Dave Whiteley (right), and Watermark resident, Doug Versteeg (left) at a New Year's Eve party in their building. Courtesy of The Watermark
The reduced approach was in the back of my mind when our daughter, Bree, now 28, went to college in 2016, and we downsized.
We wanted to downsize
We left our three-bedroom house for a one-bedroom apartment after either selling or donating most of our belongings.
"Stuff" was no longer important to us. We wanted to spend our money on experiences such as traveling to see Bree and making memories.
The minimalism was refreshing. We aimed to downsize further when we moved to Bellevue to be closer to Dom's job as a logistics specialist for an import/export.
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Then the thought of the senior living community came back to me. It was worth exploring at least. We came across The Watermark , for residents aged 55 and up.
Amy Leaitu (right) with her mom, Osa Whiteley (left), and her neighbor, Lynette Versteeg (center), at an event at her senior living community. Courtesy of The Watermark
It was brand-new construction, a 15-minute walk into the city. Almost immediately, I fell in love with a studio, a little under 600 square feet. It was beautifully laid out with no wasted space.
Dom was a harder sell at first. He wasn't sure he was ready to commit. However, the management invited us to a few events so we could mingle with our future neighbors.
They included a gathering on the beach during Seafair Weekend, a big festival in Bellevue. We met people who'd already signed up for their apartments. They seemed to be on the same wavelength as us.
It's like living on a cruise ship
What clinched it for Dom was the three restaurants inside the complex. He's a foodie and found the menus exceptional. We got to know some of the chefs, and he really warmed up.
The monthly rent of $3,760 was reasonable, too. It included water, sewer, electricity, WiFi, and basic cable. We also received a total of 1,200 "points" each month — the equivalent of $1,200 — to spend in the restaurants or on a guest suite for our visitors, like Mom.
We moved in October 2024, when I was 54, and Dom was 56. It instantly felt like home. I liken it to a cruise ship , where you're in your "cabin" and go out to whatever is happening outside.
The "Cheers" group, including the Leaitus, enjoying happy hour. Courtesy of The Watermark
The average age of the residents is 76, and we are the youngest. I've lost count of how many times we've been asked what we're doing here. "Why would you want to live with old people?" they say.
They're selling themselves short. It's diverse, with some amazing personalities.
We enjoy group outings
Dom and I love hearing about their adventures. We benefit from their wisdom. And they enjoy socializing with us. I'll go to the bar after visiting Bree, who lives in Alexandria, Virginia , and someone will say, "Welcome back. How was it?"
Our full-time jobs keep us from attending organized programs during the day, such as art or fitness classes. Still, we love to join group outings, like recent trips to Cirque du Soleil and the Seattle Aquarium.
We don't see ourselves leaving anytime soon. We might rethink after we retire. Right now, our circumstances are golden.
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