Roswell Women Help Seniors Transition from 'Castle 2 Cottage'

Like many people with aging family members, Lisa Arrington and Fran Becker saw how their loved ones struggled to effectively downsize a full life so that it fit into a more manageable space once the big house became too much. The realization theirs were not the only families in transition prompted the women to open Castle 2 Cottage, a new Roswell-based company designed to assist seniors with the overwhelming task of moving to a new home at a later stage in life.

"When we met we knew that we eventually wanted to have a business together," said Becker in an e-mail to Patch. "We had lots of complementary skills and shared passions. But after we helped several family members and friends relocate to new homes, we recognized that we could employ our talents, fulfill our passion, and meet a growing need: Seniors going through the process of downsizing and moving."

After landing their first client, the women officially began their new venture in November of 2012. The women organize and facilitate the transition from a long-term home into new living arrangements, like a smaller home or a retirement community, both regionally, as well as long distance.

"Castle 2 Cottage lays out a simple yet effective approach to getting organized and moving, alleviating the stress" Becker said. "We provide a total package to our clients, so that all they need do is pack a suitcase, or we can handle parts of the move 'a la carte.'"

Becker says the biggest issue for family members and clients is the physical and emotional toll of moving from a home they've been in for decades.

"They don’t know how or where to start and feel overwhelmed," she said. "Always uppermost in our minds is caring for our clients with respect, patience, and compassion."

As a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers, the company is insured and bonded. Additionally, both Becker and Arrington have successfully completed the Front Door Senior Move Management Training and Business Development.

They recently moved the Moores from a a four bedroom home in Macon where they had lived for forty-five years to a much smaller cottage at Chambrel in Roswell so they could be nearer to their daughter and her family. 

"We could not possibly have done all that they accomplished," said the Moores in a written statement. "If not for Fran and Lisa, I don’t know how we would have made this move. Their work at our new home made settling in so much easier. We felt at home right away."

Castle 2 Cottage provides transition services, including

• Developing an overall plan unique to each client
• Organizing, sorting, and downsizing
• Providing a customized floorplan
• Allocation (donation, gifts) of unwanted items
• Mover oversight
• Arranging for storage and shipping
• Packing and unpacking
• Professional staging and re-design

They can be reached at 404-205-2388 or castle2cottage@gmail.com. Castle 2 Cottage offers a free consultation and can also be engaged for a 90 minute detailed meeting, which provides seniors and their family with organizational tools and detailed instructions tailored to fit their unique moving needs.