Solterra Senior Living Experiencing High Success Rate as Seniors and Their Loved Ones Look for High Quality, Affordable Housing in Difficult Economic Climate
New Chandler Community Will Celebrate Official Grand Opening on Saturday, Sept. 20
CHANDLER – Faced with an uncertain economy and concern for quality of life issues in their “golden years,” East Valley senior citizens are looking for “new solutions” to fulfilling their dreams in an era of escalating housing, health care and transportation costs.
And a new Chandler-based senior living community seems to be answering an important need, according to early responses from senior citizens and their families looking for a high-quality residential environment that provides comfort, security, and social amenities that appeal to this rapidly growing segment of the population.
Solterra Senior Living, located at 350 S. Alma School Road in Chandler, officially opened for business on July 15, with 100 one- and two-bedroom apartments and a variety of care services located in a serene neighborhood setting at the southwest corner of Frye and Alma School Roads. In less than six weeks, the new community has already rented 20 of the available units, and expects to have more than 50 occupied by the end of the year.
Diana Escobedo, executive administrator for Solterra Senior Living, said the new community “has already exceeded our occupancy projections for our first three months of operations. New residents and their families are telling us that because of the poor economic climate they are exploring various options at their disposal and our model meets all of their criteria – comfort, security and an economical lifestyle option.”
The new community – which is located in close proximity to shopping malls, banks and a number of major medical centers – will celebrate its official grand opening on Saturday,
Sept. 20.
Carol Mazza, director of marketing for Solterra Senior Living, said a special one-day “zero rent increase” event held in early August resulted in a number of new residents. “We are discovering that seniors are very much concerned with the current economic environment,” Mazza said, “and our guarantee of a fixed price for housing for 24 full months resonated with many prospects. Once they see and experience the property, it is easy for them to see a multitude of benefits that we offer.”
Residents, Mazza said, are relocating to Solterra from other facilities, as well as moving into the new community after the sale of their existing home. “Sometimes seniors moving from a single-family home to a community such as Solterra find the move to be difficult,” she said. “But because of our large array of services and activities, we seem to be able to help our new residents make this adjustment more easily.”
Solterra’s one- and two-bedroom units range from a 375-square-foot studio apartment to a 752-square-foot two-bedroom design. Rental rates range from $2,100 to $3,900 a month and include:
- All utilities including basic cable
- Telephone/Internet pre-wired access
- Restaurant style dining/all meals included
- Housekeeping and flat linen service
- Licensed nursing
- 24-hour emergency response and monitoring
- Comprehensive activity and social programs
- Scheduled transportation for shopping and medical appointments
- On site beauty and barber shop
- Small pets welcome
- Therapy room
The new community also offers a list of optional services that include medication reminders, monitoring of residents’ daily condition, assistance with dressing, bathing, grooming and incontinence and other essential services.
“While economics seem to be the primary motivating factor for new residents, we also are discovering that the community’s wide range of services and social activities also appeal to seniors and their families,” Mazza said. “When an individual or couple and their families first visit our community, they are taken back by its ‘resort feeling,’ providing them with a sense of comfort. And once they speak with residents, they are convinced that Solterra is a place that can provide them a comfortable living environment for many years to come.
“Simply put, our Solterra communities specialize in the service and care of the senior population,” Mazza said. “We recognize that in these days of escalating costs it is difficult for those on fixed incomes to deal with the high cost of housing and care. It provides a great deal of peace of mind and falls in line with our philosophy of providing a lifestyle that is healthy, active and fun for each one of our residents.”
The 100-unit Chandler community is the second of its kind being developed by J-Bar Development. The company currently owns and operates the 54-unit Solterra at White Mountains/Pinetop and plans to break ground on a new 160-unit facility later this year in Prescott.
Based at 14650 N. 78th Way in Scottsdale, J-Bar Companies is the parent company of J-Bar Development and J-Bar Investments. J-Bar Development has been building shopping centers, industrial buildings and office complexes since 1986, and recently began leveraging this experience and turning its focus towards developing senior housing facilities. J-Bar Investments manages the company’s land acquisition and real estate investment strategy.
Media Contact:
Tony Kingsbaker
Tony K & Associates
(480) 595-2857