Home Sweet Home: Princeton Court Senior Residence in College Park, Georgia

My husband and I retired in April 2006, sold our home in New Jersey and moved to Princeton Court Senior residence located in historic College Park, Georgia.
Our daughter who has lived in Georgia for over ten years after graduating from college, was the prime mover in helping us find Princeton Court. Quite honestly we had every intention of purchasing a home in Georgia but after staying in Princeton Court for a few months, we reconsidered our plan of purchasing. We fell in love with the area and liked the hometown, friendly atmosphere. Now, after living here a year, we have decided that we will remain here and take advantage of the independent living at Princeton Court. Princeton Court is designed for active seniors ages 62 and over. For couples, only one individual has to meet the age requirement. Admittedly, it is an adjustment to downsize from a home to an apartment but we solved the problem by renting a storage unit. It allows us to keep our apartment clutter free and it is located nearby so it is very convenient to get what we need.

Brief description
Princeton Court is a new three story building which opened in 2005 with 119 units. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and being a transplanted northerner, I truly enjoyed the presence of flowers in bloom for the entire year. What a joy! There is a courtyard complete with a fountain and a large club room with a large fireplace. Most of the events are held in the spacious Club Room or in the Media Room. To round out the charming architectural features of the residence is a restored elementary school which houses several apartments and has the history of the school as well as old newspaper and catalog advertisements framed and hung on the wall. It is truly a nostalgic walk through history as you view the old framed pictures of students and teachers of bygone years. The lockers and coat racks are original and add to the ambiance of a grand past. A gazebo with a picnic area and grill are used throughout the year by residents. The well polished wood floors capture my attention each time I walk through the building.

Services Offered
One hour exercise classes are held twice weekly, weekly movies, game nights, wellness clinics, beauty salon, library, are all located on site. Other activities include a monthly birthday party and potluck dinners held several times during the year. A computer lab is on site and recently free classes on basic computer skills have been added for the residents.

Typical Floor Plans
Each unit has a washer/dryer hookup, walk in closets, oversize showers with seat and grab bars and a fully equipped modern kitchen. Fire and smoke detectors and sprinklers as well as cable TV and high speed Internet connections are available. Laundry rooms are available if you do not wish to purchase your own washer and dryer. You can select a one bedroom unit, two bedroom/one bath unit or two bedroom/two bath unit. My husband and I selected the two bedroom/two bath plan and use the second bedroom as an office. Instead of a bed, we placed a pull out couch bed in the second bedroom which makes it appear roomier than if a bed were situated there.

Nearby Facilities
Within walking distance, there is a small plaza that has a Family Dollar store, a cleaners and a car insurance company. In addition, a chiropractor's office and a small deli are located in the plaza. You are near churches, a downtown which offers eating establishments, a post office, shoe store and other small businesses. The Marta station (train station) is nearby to take you into Atlanta or nearby cities if you do not wish to drive. A twenty four hour taxi is available for a reasonable fee to meet your transportation needs. Cultural activities abound and one only need to look at posted flyers or local newspapers to be kept abreast of current concerts, plays and other events. Last year, several of the Princeton Court residents attended the first annual College Park Ball held at the Georgia Convention Center and what a lovely time we had. It was a formal affair and 10 couples from our residence attended as guests of the Mayor's office. The second annual ball is to be held in August and we plan to attend. Of course, if you decide to venture into the city of Atlanta which is 20 minutes away, you can attend many theatre events, movies and sports events. The MARTA system is best to use when going to Atlanta because parking can be a hassle and expensive. Hartsfield Jackson International Airport is located minutes away. Often times, residents will view the taking off of the airplanes as a past time. A park is located across the street from Princeton Court. Family picnics and baseball games are held almost daily on the well manicured grounds.

Application Process
Hopefully, I have piqued your interest in considering Princeton Court for yourself or a relative. Rent is based upon income and assets. Call the office for an application, current rates and request a brochure to obtain more information. I encourage you to take a tour of the facility and ask questions of the management staff who will gladly assist you in whatever way they can. After completing the application, you will receive a reply in a timely fashion. As an incentive, once you are a resident, management frequently will offer a fairly hefty referral bonus for those individuals who move in as a result of your referral!

More information
For more information about Princeton Court, view the website www.PrincetonCt.com. The email address is Princeton@NorSouth.com; the telephone number is 404-768-9332. So, come on down and enjoy independent living as an active senior. We made the change and we aren't looking back!