Last March, we had the privilege to meet Jody and Linda, two tenants at Éolia Apartments. With great generosity and enthusiasm, they opened the doors to their living environment, inviting us to discover a tight-knit community where people support each other every day.

Hello Jody and Linda, and thank you for taking the time to meet us today. We know that you have both been living at Éolia Apartments for a while now and that you are very much involved in the project’s community life.

What was your life like before moving to Éolia Apartments?

“I was living on my own in a big house with a large courtyard in Westmount. One summer day, it was very hot and I wanted to cool down, but my only option was to use the garden water hose! That’s when I decided I’d had enough. I wanted to live in a place where I would have access to a swimming pool in the summer, a gym, and other amenities. I also needed company, I wanted to socialize. When I heard about Éolia, I decided to move into one of the penthouses,” says Judy.

“My husband and I are on a break. My sister lived at Luméo Apartments, a nearby project, so I was already familiar with the all-inclusive rental formula, with the common areas, the rooftop terrace and swimming pool, etc. It’s like living in a high-end hotel! I was also familiar with the neighbourhood. I chose Éolia because I liked the fact that the project is exclusively for people aged 50 years and over,” Linda adds.

“The day I moved in, Linda and I were both downstairs. I couldn’t get my car out of the garage—the door was closed because they were cleaning. I had two important appointments that morning because I still work as a part-time real estate broker. Linda immediately offered to lend me her car!” Jody exclaims.

“Yeah! I knew she wouldn’t make it to those appointments without a car; I could see that she was upset, and I was happy to help her out. And that’s how our friendship was born!” Linda recalls.

 Do people help each other a lot at Éolia Apartments?

“Absolutely! You know, many of the residents here live on their own, so we try to be there for each other. Some of us cook, Linda makes homemade juice, and we share meals,” Jody says.

“Yes, I love to make juice! Also, sometimes when have too many fruits and vegetables my husband and I like to share them with others. We have a private Facebook group where we let people know when we put food in the refrigerator for the other residents at the urban chalet.

We often gather at the urban chalet to cook together and have a chat. There’s a communal kitchen on the 15th floor, which is great. It’s a very nice gathering place where we can cook, share recipes, talk, and have a nice meal together. For many of us, it’s a great way to break the loneliness, and it’s nice to have people you can talk to and share simple moments with,” Linda adds. 

Says Jody: “Once, I told people I was going to make my Jewish soup. I was surprised because a lot of people came, and everyone brought their bowls to taste my soup. It was great! Also, when you’re injured or sick, it’s nice to have someone else cook for you.”

What do you do to break the solitude?

“We’ve created a small social committee and we organize activities and special events like bingo night. For Christmas, we do a gift exchange. Once we even had a karaoke night thanks to one of the tenants who had a karaoke machine! Also, we like to go to the urban chalet to play cards or board games. Happy hour is also very popular. Everyone loves the activities that we do as a group,” Jody says.

“There are always people in the lobby downstairs. It’s almost like a village square! We bump into people, we chat for a bit, or we go out for a walk. At the end of the day, when you leave your apartment, you’re never really alone. But the most important thing is that we all respect and appreciate each other,” Linda states.

Tell us about the common areas

“Other than the urban chalet, which is our favourite gathering place, there’s a gym and a yoga room where many tenants come to train. It’s very motivating,” Jody says.

Linda agrees: “Yes, it’s very nice. I can’t wait for summer to finally arrive so I can go for a swim in the pool on the rooftop. It’ll be just like at Club Med! I’ll be able to swim, stay in shape and soak up the sun. I used to teach physical education, so I’d say I’m physically fit.

The next activity on our list is aerobics classes! We even have a resident who’s a massage therapist. The other day, I had back pain and he told me to be careful and to slow down. It’s very convenient and reassuring.”

“The whole building is very clean—the corridors, the common areas, the elevators, everything. It’s a very pleasant living environment. Around 4 p.m., I like to go to the urban chalet to sit down with my computer and relax. The urban chalet has truly become an extension of my apartment,” Jody says.

Do you often have family or friends over?

“My daughter visits me often. Sometimes we go to the urban chalet, at other times we stay in my apartment. Last Friday, my sister came over and I announced on Facebook that we were going to the urban chalet, and many tenants joined us. It’s very nice to receive guests at the urban chalet because it’s a very spacious and bright space. Men play pool while women chat,” Linda says.

“What’s also nice is that the tenants who are alone can join us and meet new people. It’s a very relaxed atmosphere, everyone is very friendly and welcoming,” Jody concludes. 

Is everyone around the same age?

“While it’s true that we’re all 50 and over, there’s still a wide age range. I’m one of the younger tenants, but I’m very grateful to benefit from the life experience of older people. It’s very interesting. The younger tenants support the older ones, which is very rewarding because it makes you feel important,” Jody says.

“Some people still work, including Jody and me; I’m a part-time resource teacher. Some are retired, so not everyone has the same lifestyle but our experiences are more similar than if we lived in another housing complex that has all the age groups,” Linda adds.

Jody, Linda, thank you so much for this beautiful moment!