Benefits of a Smaller Retirement Community

When searching for your ideal new home, you may wonder which size retirement residence would suit you better – larger or smaller.

Larger establishments generally require larger budgets; they require more land, and generally owe more in property tax, which drives up costs in their rentals for seniors, especially in British Columbia. Those that have an institutional type feel don’t quite hit the spot on the ‘comfort of home’ front, and those larger institutions that may provide a more hotel-like sense of grandiosity, supply it through bloated fees and regular rental increases. Whatever the style of your surroundings, if the volume of people is so high, and the space so large you may be left feeling like a stranger in a crowd, bigger is definitely not better when it comes to senior housing.

Here, at Earl Haig Retirement Residence in Coquitlam, we’re proud to be both a smaller-scale and a not-for-profit establishment. Not only does our non-profit status keep our costs at a minimum (providing a guaranteed 2-year rent freeze), but it attracts the right kind of people to our staff – those who don’t see working here as just a job, rather, as their chosen lifestyle of making a difference in society through loving service. As for size, our 4-year-old building is fresh and modern, with 50 independent senior apartments that have a cozy, condo-like appeal, on a manageable 3-storeys. This ideal building size makes it a breeze to get around and navigate your way to your favourite in-house recreation activities, as well as meal time in our fun dining room!

There’s comfort in the familiarity of a more intimate retirement community which affords the advantage of the personal touch. Friendships are more easily formed with your lovely and helpful neighbours, as well as with the fun and personable staff. Within no time, you’ll be getting to know everyone on a first-name basis (and they, you!) and will be having a good time seeing the trusted and familiar faces of your new friends around you when you choose.“It’s great, it’s just like living in your own apartment, you can come and go as you please. You can go straight to your suite if you don’t feel like socializing, but when you’re in the mood to be around others, there’s always friends around. It’s much easier to get to know people here.” – Glenys (Resident since 2013)

For more information or to book a tour, please call us at 604 937 3790.

Author – Jennifer, Administrator/Earl Haig Retirement Residence