When Wrynn Wilkins was exploring her senior living options, she was looking for a family-friendly retirement community with a carefree lifestyle and plenty of activities.
“I wanted to live near my kids and they were all north of Dallas,” she says.
Highland Springsthe Erickson Senior Living community in North Dallas, Texas checked all their boxes.
“I feel very blessed here, spoiled. If you need maintenance or repairs in your apartment house, you just pick up the phone and schedule the work,” says Wrynn, who used to take care of her old home, the yard and the pool all by itself.
Now, without the hassle of time-consuming maintenance, she has plenty of time to make new friends and pursue her interests.
morning movement
Before heading out for a full day of meetings and activities, Wrynn watches the sun rise with her cat Emma in her two-bedroom, two-bathroom home. apartment house.
“It was very important for me to have the morning sun, because I love to do my devotions outdoors,” he says. “My corner unit with a wrap-around balcony on the fifth floor is quite gorgeous!”
After sunrise, Wrynn opens the doors and windows of her apartment. “Meditation and coffee are next, then I’m off for the day.”
Their first stop is often at the campus aquatic center.
“I’m in the pool a lot. We have the most amazing pool!” Wrynn says. “I went back and forth between the pool and the hot tub with different exercises.”
After the water aerobics comes a nice long walk with five friends, who are very busy.
“We’re all single, whether we’re living or divorced,” Wrynn notes. “We spend a lot of time walking around inside. We meet people everywhere! I walk every day, once or twice a day.”
We will then move on to a Bible study, led by the community’s pastoral ministries team.
Expansion of the social circle
Although Wrynn meets many neighbors through her morning activities, she credits the timing of her move to her expanding social circle.
Wrynn moved to Highland Springs from Denison, Texas in December 2023, when he had just completed construction on Cypress Landing, his residence building.
“I timed my move when Cypress Landing was being finished,” he says. “So everybody in my building was new and everybody was going through the same things. That was extremely advantageous.”
Twice a month, she and more than a dozen women from the fifth floor of Cypress Landing – self-titled “Friends on Five” – gather in the building’s living room. The group focuses on “building a foundation of friendship,” Wrynn says, as well as supporting each other in any way necessary.
And once a month, attend a Sunday Night Social, which is held in every neighborhood in Highland Springs.
“It’s a real community,” Wrynn says. “People work hard to reach out and get things going. There’s a lot of connection and camaraderie and flow here. You feel like you belong.”
Wrynn also attends Resident Advisory Council meetings; participates in Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging events; and joins the recycling club to meet new people.
Dinner with friends
In the afternoons and evenings, Wrynn and her group of friends often head to one of the Highland Springs venues. seven restaurants– which include the new Crescent Club, the Lonestar Pub and Chisholm’s – for food and conversation.
“The Cresent Club has an outdoor area with tables and chairs,” he says. “And we love the pub. It’s a lot of fun.”
He adds: “We also arrange meals at each other’s apartments once a week. We love making different meals and enjoying each other’s houses.”
Director of Resident Life Kimberly Reed notes that one of the most common ways residents connect with others is in restaurants.
“Residents meet neighbors and make new friends at every meal!” she says “It’s amazing to witness all the ways our residents stay active, get involved and follow their passions.”
‘Wonderful place’
With family nearby, a maintenance-free apartment home, a wide variety of activities to choose from, and a supportive network of new friends, Wrynn couldn’t be happier.
“I feel totally safe and taken care of,” he says. “Not being responsible for taking care of a property has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Highland Springs is a wonderful place to be!”
Invest in your future at Highland Springs. From world-class amenities to affordable, maintenance-free apartments, you’re sure to live your retirement to the fullest. Ask for more information today!
By Susan Ingram