Senior Living

Sarasota’s Jefferson Center is spotless, with a great location and all sorts of amenities for older residents.

By Robert Plunket

Click here to see our Real Estate Junkie discussing Jefferson Center on ABC7.

As you get older, your housing needs change, with the big issues becoming maintenance and affordability. You don’t want to be consumed with chores and yard work, and you don’t want to worry about meeting your monthly bills. But you still want a nice place to live, and most of all you want to feel secure.

That’s why I’m a big fan of Jefferson Center (930 N. Tamiami Trail) at the corner of Tenth Street and the Trail. It has nice apartments, is beautifully kept, and has a terrific location – across from the Municipal Auditorium, and right across the street from Publix. You can walk to The Players and the Van Wezel and Centennial Park.

You have to be at least 62 to live here (the average age is 78) and there are income limits – currently about $35,000 for a single person and $40,000 for a couple. (Conversely you must also have a certain minimum income – enough to meet your rent and monthly expenses.) There are two types of apartments. One-room efficiencies are priced mostly in the $400’s per month range, and one-bedroom units that are mostly in the $500’s. The higher floors have a small premium, well worth it if you want a water view.

Each unit comes unfurnished, with carpeting and a small but complete kitchen. I checked out a one bedroom unit and found it very nice. There is a big walk in closet in the hall, plus another in the bedroom. Utilities (except for phone) are included in the rent, and that includes basic cable. You can have one pet under 25 pounds and there are all sorts of extras that you wouldn’t expect – a pleasant screened porch overlooking 4 acres of grounds, a dog run, and butterfly garden, a well-stocked library, a beauty parlor. There is also a parking lot for residents’ cars and a little bus that takes you shopping. You can live here quite easily without a car.

Jefferson Center does not provide assisted living, but they have a full time social services staff member who can help you make that transition, plus hook you up with other senior services. And speaking of hooking up, yes, there have been several weddings.

I know several people who live here and they love it. It has a cozy, friendly, spotless atmosphere, and the location can’t be beat. At the moment there is a short waiting list, but if you want more information, or a tour, the person to call is Dawn Lucido at 941-953-9585.

Well, that's all for this year. I’ll be off next week but I’ll be back the first week in January. Happy holidays!

Posted: 12/23/2009 10:39:16 AM | 0 comments