Sandy and Michael love nothing more than spending time in the outdoor living spaces of their hillside Turtle Ridge home. Sandy curls up in a comfy chair with her latest book club pick and a cup of coffee. She tends her herb and veggie garden and dabbles in watercolor, painting the magenta bougainvillea and blooming roses in her backyard.
Michael plays fetch with Oscar, the couple’s 5-year-old poodle mix, and works on his short game on the outdoor putting green. Evenings are for martinis, cards and quiet company by the fire. Every week, they gather with friends around the dining table for al fresco dinners. Michael grills pork tenderloin or fresh salmon alongside squash and zucchini from their garden, while Sandy keeps the Temecula Valley wine flowing.
Whether they do it themselves or hire and manage outside help, keeping up outdoor living areas is an increasing challenge for the couple. But spending time in those spaces is a priority, and they worry that moving to a smaller place would mean giving up their lifestyle.
Same Lifestyle, Better Backyard
Moving to a well-designed senior living community doesn’t mean getting rid of your outdoor living for four walls and a hallway. At The James of Irvine, opening in 2027, you’re not losing your yard. You’re upgrading to a 3.03-acre campus of outdoor living spaces without the maintenance hassles.
Outdoor living areas are built around wellness, connection and shared experiences. Courtyards throughout the community are furnished with barbecue grills, firepits and comfortable seating. They give you a place to gather with neighbors on a cool Irvine evening or unwind with a book on a quiet afternoon.
For those who want to stay active outdoors at the James, there’s a bocce court and putting green. The community is pet-friendly, too, with a dog-washing station and a fenced dog run. Raised garden beds give green thumbs a place to grow tomatoes, herbs or flowers right outside your door. And a koi pond brings the restorative effect of what researchers call blue spaces, the sight and sound of water, into daily life.
From courtyards to gardens, the outdoor living space designs across The James will keep you connected to the activities you love and the people you love sharing them with.
The Science Behind Stepping Outside
Outdoor time and healthy aging go together like palm trees and a Pacific breeze. A National Institute on Aging study found that older adults living near more green space showed faster thinking, better attention and stronger overall cognitive function.
Similarly, Innovation in Aging published a review noting access to green space stimulates the senses, boosts mood, reduces stress and supports mobility and independence. A study in BMC Public Health even linked regular outdoor activity to improved eating habits, better daily functioning and lower medical costs among older adults.
The takeaway is consistent across the research: It doesn’t take a drive out to Bommer Canyon to feel the benefits of spending time outdoors. A shaded bench, raised garden bed or a few minutes of fresh air and blue sky can shift how you feel, physically and emotionally.
Keep the Life You Love, Lose the Upkeep
Irvine sees more than 280 sunny days a year, giving you far more chances to use your outdoor living rooms than most places ever get. The city has grown into one of the most thoughtfully planned in the country, known for its walkable neighborhoods, abundant green space and forward-looking design. That same commitment to outdoor living design shows up throughout The James, a refined urban retreat coming in 2027.
Here, you can write your next chapter while enjoying the retirement you deserve on your terms. A life shaped by the savvy decision you’ve already made about your future and filled with inspired opportunities to keep thriving. Early morning walks on your way to The District at Tustin Legacy, afternoons on the putting green or at the dog park, evenings around the firepit with friends.
Discover more about how The James offers outdoor living areas that fit the life you already love, so you can leave the yardwork and maintenance behind for good.