A neighborhood reunion

No introduction was needed when Diane and Bruce Clark moved to their villa in 2022 and next door to Sally and Al Yakish. They were neighbors, again.

For 35 years, the couples lived across the street from each other in a Waterloo neighborhood, until Al and Sally’s move to a new villa in 2017.

They didn’t plan to live next door and share a duplex home; it just happened five years later when Diane and Bruce decided the time was right for them to downsize. They didn’t even know who lived next door until their tour was complete.

The couples happily reconnected when the Clarks moved in. “It’s the friendliest neighborhood here. Everyone introduced themselves and said hello,” said Diane. “But it was also nice to have Yakishes nearby to answer questions about maintenance requests and the like.”

They’ve returned to sharing the everyday rhythms of life. They previously attended each other’s celebrations, helped each other with mail and garbage, and the Yakishes watched the Clark children grow up.

“Now, one of our joys is having our grandkids visit us at our villa,” says Diane. “To our relief, all our new neighbors embraced this!”

Sally appreciates having Diane’s master gardener skills nearby again. Diane previously tended several gardens and provided Sally with landscaping ideas. “Now, we trade plants and Diane helps me with upgrades here,” laughs Sally, who is a quilter. The two enjoyed the WHC trip to the Ionia greenhouses this past spring.

Both couples appreciate the chance to enjoy onelevel living with a maintenance-free lifestyle that offers many choices.

“We’ve stayed active, but we knew the time was right to move. We wanted it to be our choice and not because we had to due to a fall or injury,” explains Diane. “It was an easy transition, too. We had enough time to decide on paint colors and take measurements so we knew where everything went when the movers arrived.”

Another fun surprise since the Clarks moved in is that the Yakishes aren’t the only residents they already knew. “It’s a small world,” says Bruce. “Several of our previous neighbors and friends have moved to Western Home Communities and we get to see them regularly.”

“Our son-in-law said ‘this is way cool’ and loves the wellness center. I told him, when you get to be 55, get your name on the list,” says Diane. “People are impressed with the amenities and the restaurant.”

Al and Sally Yakish (left) and Diane and Bruce Clark in front of their villas.