'Why We Chose a Vibrant Retirement at Brooksby'

There are many reasons why thousands of retirees have made the move to Brooksby Village, an Erickson Senior Living community in Peabody, Mass.

For some, it is the beautifully landscaped, 90-acre campus. Others love the variety of delicious, made-to-order meals served at on-site restaurants. And who doesn't want a stylish, maintenance-free apartment home suited to entertaining friends and pursuing hobbies?

Muriel Stern Riseman and Marty Salka say that they were drawn to Brooksby's energy. 

"At every other retirement community we toured, people were nice, but the halls were very quiet," explains Muriel. "When we came here, it was bustling with activity!"

Recently, the Tribune sat down with Muriel and Marty to learn more about what motivated them to make the move and how their lives have changed for the better. 

Tribune: What led you to consider Brooksby?

Muriel: I visited Brooksby years ago and was impressed, but I wasn't ready to move then. When Marty and I decided it was time to start looking at retirement communities, we visited nine places, but I didn't feel much energy at the others. When we toured Brooksby's campus, there were lots of residents out and about. We also noticed a good amount of people walking outside, which meant a lot to us because we walk five miles a day. Brooksby's pricing structure was also attractive--and affordable. Compared to the prices of other places we visited in the greater Boston metropolitan area, there was a big difference!

Tribune: What prompted you to make the move? 

Muriel: We wanted to learn more about the amenities on campus and speak with residents. So, we signed up for the Live the Life program, which allowed us to stay overnight in a furnished apartment home, utilize the amenities we were interested in, and dine with residents at the restaurants. We had such a lovely stay! That experience solidified our decision. In fact, the resident ambassadors who took us out for dinner have become good friends. We first visited Brooksby in July 2022 and moved in that October. We had a very short move timeline, but we wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Marty and I were excited to get involved! 

Tribune: What's it like living at Brooksby?

Muriel: It's a liberating experience to live here. A new beginning; a new life. The maintenance-free aspect of our apartment home is such a relief. We were living in a big house, so the upkeep was becoming a lot to handle. I don't miss having all that responsibility! Now that we don't have to spend time hunting down reliable repair companies, we have an open calendar to fill with clubs and activities.  We also gained peace of mind, knowing that the continuing care neighborhood is right around the corner, if we ever need additional support in the future. Our children don't have to worry about us--that's a gift. 

Tribune: What are some of the activities you've gotten involved in on campus?

Muriel: Now, we're resident ambassadors too! I also volunteer with the hospitality group, which greets new residents and invites them to dinner. I try to squeeze in as many new learning experiences as possible. I attend a lot of lectures, and there are great classes offered by Tufts University. I'm also a member of the Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Committee and the Banned Books Group. 

Marty: I'm involved with the in-house TV studio at Brooksby, doing technical and camera work. I also play table tennis, am on the Education and Philanthropy Committees, and play golf weekly--when the weather is relatively warm! 

Tribune: So, you're happy you made the move?

Muriel: Yes! You can be as involved as you want to be here. Anytime I open our door and go to the lounge in our building, there's a friend or someone new I can chat with. You can't do that when you're living in a house. 

Marty: When we were living in our house, we noticed that the connections we had made were slowly fading away--as neighbors moved and new families joined the neighborhood. When you move to Brooksby, you're suddenly surrounded by hundreds of peers who are in the same chapter of life. It's wonderful being able to develop so many friendships and enjoy tons of activities.

Invest in your future self at Brooksby Village. From top-notch amenities to affordable, maintenance-free apartment homes, you are sure to live your retirement to the fullest. Request more information today!