Lots to Love About Life at Eagle's Trace

When Katy, Tex., residents Tom and Teri Hall started exploring senior living options in Houston, Tex., it wasn't for their retirement. They were looking for a vibrant, amenity-rich community for Teri's parents.

But after learning about all the activities and services offered at Eagle's Trace, an Erickson Senior Living community in West Houston, Tex., Tom and Teri knew it would be the perfect place for them too.

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Recently, the Halls sat down with the Tribune to share more about why they made the move, why they're loving community life now, and how they know they made the right decision.

Tribune: What led you to Eagle's Trace?

Tom: We started looking in the Houston area for a place that might be acceptable for Teri's parents. My mom lived in a retirement community in Naples, Fla., and her advice was, "Find a place with more than one restaurant."

Teri: After applying that filter, Eagle's Trace emerged as the best option for them--and eventually for us! We visited the community and joined the Priority List in August 2019. We thought we would probably move into one of the newer units as they became available in the new residence buildings.

Tribune: Did you enjoy your Live the Life stay?

Teri: We participated in the Live the Life program in December 2024. During our two-night stay, we did as many of the activities as we could. By that time, we had pretty much made up our minds that we would move to Eagle's Trace. But interacting with residents we knew and meeting new residents afforded us the chance to learn firsthand how things worked.

Tribune: What prompted you to make the move?

Tom: Our 50th wedding anniversary was in April 2025, and we had made plans throughout the year to celebrate. Moving to Eagle's Trace was not on the list! But in early April, we received a call that we should come see a unit that had just become available. We had family and a friend visiting, so, with them in tow, we came for a look-see. It was a gorgeous Pecos floor plan with two bedrooms, two baths, and den.

Teri: The upgrades to the unit made it look much like our house, and the apartment number was my mother's birthday, so the unit sort of chose us. No one was more surprised than we were when we said, "Yes!"

Tribune: How was your moving experience?

Teri: It was great. We used one of the community's preferred real estate agents and moving companies, which streamlined things. They were so experienced and knowledgeable about Eagle's Trace that they were able to lead and guide us through the whole process. The real estate agent was very helpful in advising us what we needed to do and, more importantly, what we did not need to do in preparing to put our house on the market. The mover not only prepared our possessions for the move but also organized what we would not be taking for either auction or charitable contributions.

Tribune: How has your maintenance-free residence impacted your life?

Tom: Not having all the bills and other items related to keeping up an almost 30-year-old house has made life simpler.

Tribune: What are some ways you've gotten involved on campus?

Teri: We were away for much of our early months here, so this year, we have focused on getting to know more people, reconnecting with friends that already lived at Eagle's Trace, and finding which activities may be of interest to us.

Tom: Teri has signed up for the Wii Bowling teams, and we're looking forward to trying new things and volunteering as our schedule allows.

Tribune: What do you love most about life at Eagle's Trace?

Tom: Teri and I love that we did not have to change our lifestyles as a result of our move. We have established a hybrid schedule that combines many of the activities we enjoyed before moving in with new clubs on campus. Teri is still teaching as she did before, and the grandkids are still doing sleepovers with us. In fact, two of our grandchildren stayed with us our first week here.

Teri: Tom is still active in a couple of Houston choirs, which he enjoys. We also love that everyone, both residents and staff, is so happy and friendly. There is truly a sense of community here that is palpable.

Tribune: Has your move provided peace of mind?

Teri: Yes, we feel secure here. We continue to use the doctors that we had before our move, but we appreciate that we can transfer our care over to the on-site medical center.

Tribune: Now that you have settled in, do you feel you made the right decision?

Teri: Yes, absolutely! There's no question about it.

To learn more about vibrant, carefree senior living, request your free brochure to get the scoop on amenities, floor plans, and much more.

By Susan Ingram