An ‘Accidental’ Move
Ms. Wise’s mother taught her that life’s unexpected changes should be viewed as an opportunity. While moving to Ilda’s Overlook was accidental, she says this opportunity opened the door for the excellent quality of life that she is enjoying.
Shortly after Ms. Wise’s husband passed, she was visiting one of her daughters in the area for Memorial Day weekend. After arriving via Amtrak, she accompanied her son-in-law for an afternoon of errands. They stopped by Ilda’s Overlook to drop off resources for his father, who was relocating to Fairfax County from Chicago after his wife passed. Ms. Wise recalls walking into the lobby and thinking how beautiful the building was. She liked her home in Pennsylvania, but now that she was living on one income, it was too expensive. After touring the community, Ms. Wise left that afternoon with an application, apartment number, and a big smile on her face. She remembered how welcoming and professional the staff at Ilda’s Overlook were. Her daughter was surprised and very happy when they shared the news. Living closer to family gave everyone peace of mind—they no longer had to travel between states for visits or emergencies. The move also came at the right time, as Ms. Wise was figuring out her next steps.
Our Neighbors: Retirees Live Here
Ms. Wise grew up in St. Louis, where she attended college and began her career as an oncology nurse. She married and relocated to Pennsylvania for her husband’s job. She gained valuable experience working in New York and New Jersey, but after having children, she decided to transition away from nursing. Seeking a career change, Ms. Wise moved into a customer service role with a medical company that supports hospitals. Her adaptability, strong people skills, and eagerness to learn helped her advance quickly; after just 18 months, she changed departments. In this new role, Ms. Wise proactively learned to write code for programming changes and expanded her technical knowledge. She built a new career in health care and supported hospital clients from Canada to Kentucky and New York to North Dakota. After an impactful 43-year career that ended at a hospital in Pennsylvania, Ms. Wise retired in 2005.
A Quality Home with A Strong, Supportive Community
Ms. Wise is grateful for her home at Ilda’s Overlook, and says she enjoys both her independence and a well-kept, affordable community. Since Ms. Wise can manage her own rent and bills, housing stressors are eliminated for her and her family. Although she initially only knew her son-in-law’s father at Ilda’s Overlook, she quickly connected with others. Ms. Wise’s warm personality, shaped by her years as an oncology nurse, makes it easy for her to meet new people. Her late husband always remarked there was never a place where she didn’t know everyone. On her first day at Ilda’s Overlook, a neighbor greeted her with a friendly introduction and brought fresh peaches to her doorstep. Ms. Wise believes the vibrant community at Ilda’s Overlook thrives on openness, noting, “You must be open to it.” Ilda’s Overlook is conveniently located, and Ms. Wise enjoys connecting with friends for outings to the theatre, performances at Wolf Trap, and sightseeing trips to Washington, D.C. True Ground also has a senior shuttle for its Fairfax communities, with weekly trips for household essentials, groceries, and group outings.
At Ilda’s Overlook, Ms. Wise is part of the “eight ladies” – a group that organizes activities for neighbors, ranging from fitness classes to book clubs, and daily card games. This resident led-activity calendar complements True Ground’s program calendar. When someone new moves in, the community at Ilda’s Overlook greets them and invites them to join the group activities. They also let new residents know they are here to answer those simple questions such as how to check out books from the library. When Ms. Wise hurt her back, her neighbors were quick to help. Ms. Deborah, who has also helped other residents during emergencies, took her to the hospital and insisted on staying until her family arrived even though it was snowing and getting late. This spirit of care defines Ilda’s Overlook, and neighbors genuinely look out for one another. Ms. Wise knows everyone on her floor and values this close-knit community.
Ms. Wise has found peace at Ilda’s Overlook. As a widow and sole provider, she is thankful for a home that is affordable, comfortable, and filled with open, welcoming people. Living at Ilda’s Overlook has brought her comfort, “stopping my nightmares and allowing me to focus on my dreams.”
Hopes for the Future
Ms. Wise celebrated her 86th birthday in March and is looking forward to the year ahead. She encourages businesses, governments, and communities to recognize how important communities like Ilda’s Overlook are for affordable living, noting that each building is unique and has its own considerations due to the people who live there. Each age group reflects different needs and aspirations. Ms. Wise shares that home is the most intimate place that anyone can have. She’s proud of her home, where she shares love and enjoys quality time with the people who matter most—family and friends.
