Senior Community Living Proves Life is Richer with Friends

Having lived in her Forest Hills home for 60 years, she found herself adjusting to an increasing sense of solitude. “I’ve lived in San Francisco all my life,” she says. “When I hit this age, I realized I wasn’t around people as much. It was quiet. The younger neighbors were all going off to playgrounds with the little ones, but I couldn’t do that anymore.”

Yet within weeks of arriving at senior living community Coterie Cathedral Hill in January, everything changed. “I’ve made so many friends,” says McNulty. “So many lovely ladies and wonderful men too. Everybody here is fun to be with, though some of them don’t have as much fun as I do.”

The science is clear – later life brings a heightened need for genuine human connection, with social engagement becoming a cornerstone of well-being. Research shows that loneliness and isolation can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

For discerning older adults with refined tastes, finding a luxury living community that truly resonates with their lifestyle has traditionally been challenging. This is precisely the gap Coterie fills – where sophisticated living meets meaningful social engagement for seniors.

The Coterie lifestyle revolves around seven fundamental pillars of community life: Art and Culture, Health and Wellness, Lifelong Learning, Social Connection, Family Bonding, Special Celebrations, and Spiritual Well-Being. Each is designed to invite residents to share a broad variety of fulfilling experiences.

Art + Culture

At Coterie, art and culture function as natural gathering points. From private museum tours and exclusive gallery openings to group evenings at the opera, Coterie offers access to a plethora of cultured experiences. “Coterie takes us to so many great places,” says McNulty. “The opera and the museums are all around us.”

Coterie residents enjoy organized outings to Broadway shows, the SF Ballet, and events like the Gay Men’s Chorus annual gala. They take frequent trips to San Francisco’s art galleries and historical societies and can enjoy live-streamed operas from NYC’s Metropolitan Opera House.

Coterie also features a lavish cinema, complete with popcorn and other refreshments. New and classic movies are screened daily, with films selected in collaboration with residents.

Health + Wellness

True luxury is rooted in well-being. Through a collaboration with Elevation Health, Coterie has developed senior fitness programs that can be customized to every resident’s needs – while also being fun. McNulty, who played tennis throughout her life until recently, embraces her community’s fitness offerings. “Our fitness center has wonderful equipment for exercising, so if I don’t get out during the day, I will go upstairs for at least half an hour.”

She credits the active lifestyle at Coterie with her continued health. “I’ve always been a healthy person, but I’m even better here. I’m never sick.” Coterie’s wellness offerings include a yoga studio hosting multiple daily classes and a heated rooftop pool where residents gather for aqua aerobics.

Coterie also offers a wellness plan designed with Mayo Clinic that focuses on nutrition. McNulty appreciates the thoughtful approach to dining. “I haven’t gained a pound, and I eat like a horse here. They have no salt and peppers on the table, and they don’t have sugar. But if you want it, you ask for it.”

Special Celebrations

Coterie believes that life’s milestones should be celebrated in style. “When someone is celebrating a birthday, Coterie makes them a special cake. There are balloons and everyone sings ‘Happy Birthday,’” McNulty shares.

Coterie hosts group gatherings for a wide variety of seasonal events and social occasions. Past events include celebrations for Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras, Earth Day, Pride, the Fourth of July, and viewing parties for the Super Bowl, the Oscars, and the Kentucky Derby. “We watched the Derby on a huge TV in the lounge,” McNulty recalls of the celebration, which featured mint juleps, fancy hats, and plenty of cheering.

Coterie also offers personalized event planning services for residents wishing to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. Coterie’s private dining room can be reserved to host special meals, complete with custom menus and a dedicated waitstaff.

Lifelong Learning

For knowledge seekers, Coterie’s engagement calendar is anchored in meaningful senior lifelong learning experiences. Residents have numerous opportunities each week to participate in a wide variety of educational seminars, art workshops, and guest lectures.

Coterie’s collaboration with McNally Jackson provides residents with a curated library filled with classics and modern bestsellers, as well as a cozy spot to hold monthly book club sessions.

Residents also enjoy educational content from the University of San Francisco’s Fromm Institute, enabling them to attend virtual lectures on diverse topics such as finance, technology, history, philosophy, and the arts.

Social Connection

A cornerstone of life at Coterie is its lively social events, both within the community and out on the town. Leisurely social outings are a highlight. “Last week we went for lunch at Balboa Cafe. We’ve gone down to Stanford to do some shopping, and this week we’re going to the Westfield Mall,” McNulty says.

Residents have plenty of opportunities to gather without leaving the community, including “yappy hour” gatherings for pet owners, seasonal farmers markets, and organized gameplay. “The game room is wonderful,” McNulty says. The community organizes Scrabble games, bridge tournaments, and Rummikub drop-ins, as well as a weekly pub trivia hosted by San Francisco’s own Bebe Sweetbriar.

McNulty is also learning how to play mahjongg, a rummy-type tile game that originated in China. “That’s quite fun,” she says. “There are two kinds, and I’m learning the American style.” Additionally, Coterie hosts live performances by musicians, actors, and dancers, with regular jazz shows taking place in Coterie’s piano bar, Karl’s Lounge.

Family Bonding

Family is warmly welcomed at Coterie, with a social calendar designed to bring residents and family members together in memorable and meaningful ways. Coterie hosts special meals for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, and feasts for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah.

Family members are always invited to attend movie nights, museum outings, and other community gatherings. From family-friendly cultural events to multi-generational holiday celebrations, Coterie works to ensure family members play an integral role in residents’ lives.

Spiritual Well-Being

Spiritual well-being is an integral part of overall health and happiness. Whether through prayer, meditation, or religious services, Coterie offers residents the opportunity to explore and nurture their spiritual lives in an environment that is supportive and respectful of all faiths.

Residents and staff are invited to come together to celebrate religious holidays and observances that have meaning for them, including all the significant holy days in the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim traditions.

True Luxury Meets Human Connection

While many Bay Area senior living communities focus on premium amenities and services, Coterie combines luxury with something far more precious: authentic human connection.

For McNulty, the culinary experience stands out as particularly exceptional. “The chefs couldn’t be any better. If you don’t like what the menu has, tell them you want lamb chops or filet.” At 95, she even tried octopus for the first time. “I was scared to death. The kids on the staff showed me how to eat it. And it was wonderful.”

Through its comprehensive social engagement program, Coterie provides residents with opportunities to grow, connect, and celebrate life together. As McNulty puts it, “I feel better, I smile more, I’m happier. It’s great.”