The best kind of friends, your neighbors.

When my wife and I began to consider options for our future, after discussions with our doctors and consideration of our parents’ journeys, we decided to contact Pomperaug Woods to learn more about the community. We toured the community and got answers to all our questions. Without hesitation, we submitted our application for residency.

This proved to be one of the best moves we would ever make.

Pomperaug Woods is a secure, caring, friendly and professionally administered community. Moving to Pomperaug Woods was a major decision, but it proved to be the best for my wife and I, and our family.

Here at Pomperaug Woods, I love the variety of things to do. The meal choices are endless — something for everyone — and if it's not on the menu, just ask! And if you don't want to eat in the dining room, you can order your meal and have it delivered to your door or pick it up yourself.

There is the exercise room and exercise classes. There are movies and special events and programs in Wilson Hall. There are billiards and poker and art classes and lectures. There is the Pomperaug Woods TV channel, which lists special events and daily menus, and airs occasional movies. There is the little library where one can sit and read the latest newspapers and magazines, check out a book or two, or even request the purchase of a new book. There is even a beauty parlor tucked away in the Health Center — the part of our community that cares for those who need short-term or long-term care. Help of all kind is always available, just by pulling a cord or making a phone call — help for everything from hanging a picture to a real medical emergency.

I must mention the Walking Warriors, who drive to different, interesting places to walk each week. You also may walk by yourself or with a friend to the beautiful park outside our back door (and across the street), which has the local tennis courts and a swimming pool.

Over the past few months, I toured numerous retirement communities within 20 miles of Pomperaug Woods with my dad, as he started to consider the idea of moving from his condo after the loss of my mom. Some were just rental communities, but more were with the financial arrangement of Pomperaug Woods, where there is a "buy-in" that you get mostly back when you leave the apartment. The monthly rent at Pomperaug Woods was very affordable, and even after we calculated the money we had to put down, it was more financially feasible in the long run to go this route than paying $5,000-$7,000/month or more at the others.

After the tours, lunches (food varied widely), meeting residents on the visits, looking at apartment floor plans, amenities, and looking closely at the financial end, we selected Pomperaug Woods. Our dad is late 80s, active, healthy, loves playing bridge, socializing, still drives, and by far he felt most "at home" at Pomperaug Woods. We were able to comfortably fit all his favorite furniture in his one-bedroom "Putnam," including his drop leaf table, living room set, entertainment center; and in the bedroom, a bed, two dressers, bedside table and his desk.

The apartment has a walk-in closet, which they double racked for him, a stackable washer/dryer and beautiful kitchen. It is a terrific apartment! The welcoming committee has already been up to meet him, the staff has been incredible and made the move seamless, the food is great, and we all agree we made the right choice. I live in Michigan, but have already planned a visit in July, because I want to hang out there and meet my dad’s new friends! Pomperaug Woods is a gem.