A Lesson in Planning: A Surprisingly-Affordable Retirement for a Career Educator

Carol Bourgeois is a career educator from Gramercy, and when it was time to put down her No. 2 pencil, she turned to St. James Place to enjoy her retirement. Never married and with no children, Carol’s search for a retirement residence looked a little bit different than a typical resident.

“Maintaining my home was getting difficult,” she recalled. “I have wonderful nieces and nephews, but I didn’t want to impose on them. I also wanted to be able to choose where I was going to live.”

As Carol began her search, she knew the importance of building out a budget and comparing costs to find the place that was perfect for her to live the retired life that she had worked so hard for. She spent two years researching different residences before deciding to make the move to St. James Place in 2017. For Carol, it wasn’t just about what she wanted now, but what she knew she might need in the future that helped her make the decision.

“I looked at other retirement communities, but St. James Place offered all that I was looking for in one beautiful setting. Living here frees me from the worry of maintaining a house. I can also live the rest of my life knowing that I will have the necessary care as I age.”

In her three years as a part of the St. James Place community, Carol has immersed herself in all that our campus has to offer. From painting in the vibrant art studio to savoring the delicious dining options, Carol is soaking in every bit of retirement life but, to her, the most special thing about St. James Place is her fellow residents.

“I have met some very interesting people here. I’m always amazed by their stories and the amazing lives they have had. Their stories reveal people who are passionate, tenacious and humorous. The human spirit is wonderful.”

St. James Place offers surprisingly affordable plans for every level of care and every stage of retirement. Schedule a private tour to see what St. James Place has in store for you.