Marcia Hudson Loves Living in her One-Bedroom Residence at Riderwood Village

When Marcia Hudson moved to Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living community in Silver Spring, Md., she quickly discovered the rewards of choosing a home that fits her needs and a community that provided a vibrant lifestyle.

"I could not be happier with my decision," says Marcia, who moved from Columbia, Md., in December 2024. "My home suits me perfectly, and my life here is full!"

Choosing Riderwood

Marcia first considered moving to Riderwood after some encouragement from her sister.

"My sister and her husband had been looking at Riderwood for a few years and suggested I visit," she recalls. "I kept thinking, 'I'm happy where I am,' but I decided to go look."

Marcia was impressed with Riderwood from the moment she stepped on campus. "I felt very comfortable. Everyone was friendly, and the apartment homes were beautiful," she says.

As she explored Riderwood's floor plan options, Marcia found that the Bradford, a one-bedroom, one-bath design, best suited her needs and personal style. An in-person tour of the floor plan confirmed her research.

"The Bradford's layout suits the way I want to live," she explains. "The longer living room walls are the perfect backdrop for my artwork, and the size provides the right amount of space for everything I treasure."

Because she had joined the community's Priority List, Marcia received a call that a Bradford was available just weeks after her visit.

"I decided to take it," she says. "It all moved very quickly after that."

A seamless move

Marcia then took advantage of another Priority List perk--complimentary planning and moving support from local experts.

Kara Shows, Riderwood's planning and moving consultant, visited Marcia in her Columbia home with a detailed, color-coded replica of the Bradford's layout. Together, they reviewed her existing furniture and discussed how each piece would fit in her new home. "That was very helpful," Marcia says.

As she prepared to sell her house, Marcia worked with one of Riderwood's preferred real estate agents. "He was wonderful," she recalls. "He came in and took control in a thoughtful way, always checking in to ask if I was comfortable with the plan." His steady guidance led to a quick, profitable sale.

Marcia also worked with Riderwood's preferred moving company, which carefully packed all of her belongings in one day, transported them to the community, and then unpacked them to recreate familiar spaces.

"They took pictures of my kitchen and all my rooms in my former house," she says. "Then, when they unpacked, they put everything on the shelves exactly as it had been. They even hung my clothes the same way. It was wonderful!"

By the time Marcia stepped into her Bradford, it already felt like home.

Fun-filled calendar

Now, fully settled, she reaps the many benefits of community life at Riderwood.

"I've found that you can do something every day if you want," says Marcia, who frequently attends on-campus guest speaker programs and Saturday night movies.

"Everything I need is here," she says. "My building has a [fitness center] downstairs with wonderful equipment--I just take the elevator down. It's so easy! I also appreciate the fact that I can get anywhere on campus without having to go outdoors."

Marcia also finds it easy to meet people and make new friends. In fact, she's reunited with someone she met while first touring the community.

"As I was touring the various apartment homes, a resident came up and introduced herself, saying she hoped I would move to Riderwood," Marcia recalls. "When I moved in, she invited me to join her for dinner and introduced me to her friends. That was really lovely."

'Very happy'

Encouraged by Marcia's overwhelmingly positive experience, her sister and brother-in-law plan to join her at Riderwood in the near future.

"I was afraid that by moving, I'd be giving up my independence, but that is the furthest from the truth," Marcia says. "Riderwood is a very active community, and people are friendly. Had I stayed in my former house, I could have gone 24 hours and never seen or spoken to anyone. I could do that here too, but I don't want to."

She adds, "I'm very happy here!"

To learn more about the ways you can explore senior living, request more information today.

By Kelly K. Shue