The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens Fresno, CA

The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens is at the top of my list, but you needed $95,000 to put down. It was fabulous and if I had the money, I'd probably go with that one. It's awesome, the place is just great. They start as independent, then assisted living, and they have memory care also. They got it all, but they also took it all. I toured one of the little homes and it was just fine and had enough square footage. The atmosphere was very positive. And what I liked about it, was that it's very clean. It would be a good place to retire at. And you'd have the security of total care when you needed it, but you'd also got total independence as long as you needed it. When you put down $95,000 you'd still have to pay $3,000 a month. The residents seemed very good, from what I could see. Because of COVID, I couldn't have a meal with them and didn't get to sit with anybody. The garden was the only place where I could sit and have a meal and meet people. And the only thing that they didn't do that everybody else did is that their Internet was not included. So I have to pay for my own internet, whereas the others didn't, and that's like $70 a month.

It’s been almost a year now since I moved to The Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens, a “continuing care” Human Good retirement community here at the intersection of Fresno and Barstow Avenue in Fresno, Ca. and I couldn’t be happier all things considered. Even though Covid19 was growing more and more ominous in May 2020 when I decided to make the move, and I was worried about getting a good price for my house, I’d been widowed over two years, was in my 80s, and fending for myself was getting harder, physically and mentally. I was also concerned for how my 18-year-old cat, Cutie Pie, would take to the move. I’d been visiting various retirement communities in Fresno the previous year and it became clear to me soon that The Terraces was my best option. It’s centrally located, beautifully landscaped, roomy, full of interesting and accomplished residents and the staff seems truly exceptional: friendly, caring, and professional at all levels. Plus, I can continue engaging in my outside recreational activities including volunteering at the Woodward Park library. Everything went very smoothly from May, when I listed my house, through mid-September, when I finally made the move. I had wonderful realtors, the JoJos of London Properties, who got me top dollar for my house. The wonderful sales staff at The Terraces arranged for help for me to downsize and complete a “gentle transition” to my newly remodeled one-bedroom apartment here. The biggest plus here for me has been a feeling of safety and security living in a caring community while the pandemic rages outside. I can come and go, park my car right outside my apartment, but I’m expected to observe the strictest safety protocols. Consequently, we’ve had relatively few residents test positive for covid and over 90% of us residents have got our vaccinations. Getting regular, nutritious, tasty meals has been a big plus to me. After my wife’s passing, I didn’t eat as well or exercise regularly. Here we have three venues for meals and a certain number of points we can use monthly. And we can still order takeout or food deliveries for pizza etc. from outside if we choose. We are a small village here in the middle of Fresno, looking out for each other, making new friends, with lots of choices for activities (yoga, weights and balances sessions, pool, exercise room, Great Courses, Bingo, various movie and other programs and frequent outings, always something, encouraged to “keep active”, “keep moving”. Lots of privacy and quiet, too, and no pressure to participate in anything really if we prefer. Two things about the Terraces actually really “sold” me on “retiring” here. First and foremost is that it is a “continuing care” facility, which means that there are three levels of care as needed: independent livers, like me, then Skilled Nursing if physical recovery from accidents, etc. is needed, then “memory care” should dementia, Alzheimer’s, or such strike. And, once you are admitted you are guaranteed at spot at The Terraces for life. The second factor, very important to me, is that The Terraces is a non-profit corporation, affiliated with the HumanGood national organization, and partially run by the residents, all of which helps keep costs down and motivation to contribute and succeed high among residents. I did gain almost 10 pounds my first six months here, which I’ve heard is pretty common! My kitty has adjusted well to less roaming area here. I recently put in a kitty door for her to go in and out at will and she’s made lots of friends, human and feline since moving here. I think my wife of 53+ years would be happy that I’ve found a wonderful new home here at The Terraces.