If you’re thinking about relocating to a Life Plan Community, here are five top considerations:

1. Cost of living
2. Accessibility & walkability
3. Access to care
4. Lifestyle
5. Support system

Pedestrian-Friendly Communities

“Walkability” relates to a community’s safe, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure such as footpaths or trails, sidewalks, and other rights-of-way for those on foot. In their most recent rankings, Walk Score rated the walkability of 141 U.S. cities with a population of 200,000 or greater. The cities listed below hit the top of the list, showcasing Lititz’s walkability far surpassing any city with its  score designated as a “Walker’s Paradise!”

Walk Scores by Top Cities 

91        Lititz, PA (click here to view the Walker’s Paradise listing)

89        San Francisco,CA
88        New York, NY
83        Boston, MA
77        Chicago, IL
77        Washington, D.C.
77        Miami, FL
75        Oakland, CA
75        Philadelphia, PA
74        Seattle, WA
73        Long Beach, CA

You can search the Walk Score database to check out the walkability of any community by address.

The Many Advantages of Walkability

More and more older adults want to live in a setting, like Moravian Manor Communities, that is walkable. There are a number of compelling reasons that makes our two campuses attractive options for Boomers and beyond.

Environmental benefits

Increasingly, people are becoming concerned about the impact their habits have on the Earth. The next generation of retirees will create an increased demand for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified retirement communities, which focus on energy, space, and water efficiency, as well as reducing waste and using environmentally friendly building materials.

Choosing a walkable community is another environmentally conscious choice many older adults are making when it comes to their senior living location. Since a large majority of CO₂ emissions are from burning fossil fuels, fewer cars on the road means less pollution, as well as less traffic. Walking is a zero-pollution means of transportation!

Financial benefits

Walkability can be a big cost-savings for your monthly budget. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, for many Americans, their vehicles are their household’s second largest expense (behind their rent/mortgage payment). For many residents living at Moravian Manor Communities, living in this walkable community has made it feasible to get rid of at least one vehicle (for two-car homes), thus eliminating a huge monthly expense.

Health benefits

Being overweight and its related health issues are among the most serious public health challenges faced by our society today. Choosing a walkable community can help fend off a sedentary lifestyle and the weight issues that often go hand-in-hand. In fact, research has found that residents of walkable communities weigh an average of 8 pounds less than people who live in less walkable areas.

Learn More about Our Walkable Community

Interested in learning more about the “walkability” of our community and all it has to offer? Contact our sales & marketing team at 717-626-0214.

Photo: SageBrush, a six-member acoustic group from MMC, performing traditional and familiar African American spirituals and protest songs from the civil rights movement in honor of Black History Month.

Whether through theatrical or musical expression, residents of Moravian Manor Communities (MMC) are rediscovering their inner artist through the Exploring the Performing Arts program (EPA) with a mission to have FUN, to LEARN, and to INSPIRE.

Mark Hirschman, resident and active member of the EPA program said, “We believe that the arts are one of the keys to aging with dignity, grace, and humor. The EPA program is built upon a quote by Shania Twain that ‘Art is a platform where self-expression should not be limited.’ I’m here to inspire. There is no age limit to that.”

This group of spirited residents is currently collaborating on several projects with the local community. Most recently is the intergenerational partnership with Linden Hall School for Girls through which several of their students and a local home-school student have joined playing with MMC’s SAGE (Senior Arts Group Ensemble) Orchestra. This orchestra is conducted by community volunteers, including a former Manheim School District music director. Other musical groups within Moravian Manor Communities include the Muggers (Ukulele), SageBrush (acoustic sextet), and a developing chorus.

Moravian Manor Communities drama group, Fireside Theatre, engages in play reading and live shows. They recently conducted two performances of a play written by a MMC resident. Other members of the Fireside Theatre meet to discuss movies, write and discuss poetry, and write their own life stories for the benefit of their families. A “Coffee House” is planned for this coming year and will feature an eclectic mix of music, poetry, and story-telling.

Whether you are a beginner or seasoned performer, retiree or student or somewhere in between, MMC’s Exploring the Performing Arts group is looking for new members and collaborating community partners of all levels. For more information, please contact Jennifer Shutt by emailing jennifers@moravianmanor.org.

This year, honoring our supporters looked a bit different at our annual Donor Dinner. On Thursday,  May 19 we abandoned our traditional sit-down dinner for a more social and relaxed evening with food stations catered by MMC’s Culinary Team.

This new format was a welcomed change as it provided more opportunity to mix and mingle with one another. An abbreviated version of the formal program was also appreciated by all! David Swartley, President/CEO thanked our generous donors for their ongoing support of our ministry and presented each of them with a piece of custom pottery hand-crafted by local artist Steve De Perrot.