Upon pulling up to Casa de Manana, I immediately noticed that the venue looked like a resort with its beach front view, beautiful architecture, and immense size. It was funny to me how I have walked by Casa de Manana numerous times while visiting La Jolla Cove, but I had always assumed that it was a hotel or resort of some sort that travelers stayed in while on vacation. I was shocked to discover that their prices to rent a unit ranged from $3,300 to $11,000 a month. The rate for a unit is higher than the price of an apartment here in La Jolla! One thing I did take away from walking throughout the establishment was its beauty. Every room was designed in such a grandeur manner including the library with its large windows overlooking the water, the rooms designed for gatherings with their unique chairs, and dining area that looked more like a banquet hall. Another aspect I thoroughly enjoyed about our visit was being able to speak and interact with the elders living at Casa de Manana. They were so enthusiastic to see us, hear about our lives, and share intimate details about their lives. It was amazing to hear about their families and witness how their eyes lit up when they spoke of their children. I was also glad to hear that they were all so happy with making the choice to live at Casa de Manana and how it seemed to fit into just what they needed. After hearing about the residents' lives, it made me reflect upon my future. I never considered living on one of these communities because in my culture, grandparents always live in their own home or with one of their children's families. However, seeing how this establishment acts as a community for a cohort of elders to come together and build strong relationships with one another has shown me that there are other options out there for life after retirement.
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Monique SimArchives
June 2018
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