From Homeownership to Hassle-Free Living
For Lucille LaBarbera and her husband, moving to a retirement community while they're still healthy and active allowed them to fully embrace a lifestyle of freedom and peace of mind in a close-knit community. In beautiful Southwest Florida, The Terraces of Bonita Springs provided resort-like amenities, a vibrant atmosphere, and the reassurance of Life Care— preparing for the unpredictabilty of additional health needs.
“We had a very beautiful home,” Lucille said. “But every time we traveled, maintenance needs piled up, pets needed care, and the responsibilities seemed endless. After returning from a trip to Africa, we decided it was time to make a commitment to a retirement community designed for healthy, independent people.”
Community Support During Life’s Hardships
The move to The Terraces didn’t slow down the Labarberas’ adventurous lifestyle. “When we moved in, we continued to travel,” Lucille said. “It was so easy to just lock up and leave. But after two and a half years, my husband suddenly became ill."
"It was very quick. Here I am now, a widow, no longer able to live the life we were living. However, in this community, it became a home for me because the residents were so supportive, so friendly, and they made me a part of their life.”
Lucille’s experience highlights one of the most compelling aspects of The Terraces of Bonita Springs: the community.
“All of the things we advertise about The Terraces absolutely happened to me in my life,” she said. “The residents are very supportive, giving space and allowing me to grieve yet encouraging me to be involved. That’s something you don’t get in a neighborhood. Neighbors may be kind, but most of the time, you’re alone in a home.”
The Reassurance of Life Care
For Lucille, The Terraces also provided the additional financial security of prearranged care. This comprehensive approach ensures that residents have access to a continuum of care—independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing—all within the same community. It’s a reassurance not just for residents, but for their families as well.
“My children are delighted and so content to know that I live here,” Lucille says. “It’s a gift to them because they don’t have to worry about what my next step in life is going to be or what will happen. All my needs are taken care of.”
A Real Estate Expert’s Perspective
Before retiring, Lucille worked in real estate, which gave her a unique perspective on evaluating retirement communities. “I looked at them all,” she said. “In my opinion, The Terraces was the best choice for us. It’s small, intimate, and everything is under one roof. I love the convenience. You never have to get in a car or a cart to get to what you need, whether it’s dinner or a social event. It reminded me of the boutique condo we lived in at Pelican Bay.”
She also reflects on the trade-offs of homeownership versus community living.
“Owning property is wonderful, but it gets cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to maintain. We once returned from a trip to find our home had been broken into. Fortunately, we don’t have those headaches anymore.”
Thriving in a New Chapter
Now, more than two and a half years since her husband’s passing, Lucille is thriving.
“I’m living a good life again,” she says. “The Terraces has truly become my home.”
