At Harbor’s Edge, we’re here every step along the way to help guide you through your move-in process. We spoke with Move-In Coordinator, TJ Laurendeau, to get a better understanding of what new residents can expect on move-in day and community orientation, and how they can prepare. Here’s some insight from TJ himself.
Moving into a new community is a big step, and at Harbor’s Edge we want it to feel exciting rather than overwhelming. To help ease the transition, we asked Move-In Coordinator TJ Laurendeau to share what residents and families can expect on move-in day and during orientation. His perspective makes it easier to plan ahead and feel confident about this new chapter.
As the Move-In Coordinator, one of my main functions is to make the transition to Harbor’s Edge as seamless and stress-free as possible. When our sales team finalizes a sale with prospective residents, they send me the contact information for our new arrivals. I reach out to the resident(s) to introduce myself as well as to confirm move-in dates and the moving company.
It is at this point that I also attempt to schedule an orientation, preferably a week or two before they arrive, so they’ll have some knowledge of the basic operations of Harbor’s Edge immediately upon moving in.
There is a wide variety of topics covered during the orientation, and sometimes the orientation can last up to 2 hours (depending on how many questions the new arrivals have). I make a point of emphasizing to our new residents that there is no expectation that they will remember everything we cover. The most important thing I want them to get out of the orientation is comfort – comfort in learning a lot of things they didn’t know before our meeting, and comfort in knowing that any questions they have will be answered. I try to make it clear that I’m a “buck-stops-here” type of person and that even if I don’t know the answer to a question they may have, I will get them the answer or, at the very least, connect them to the person who will have the answer.
Some of the topics covered in the new resident orientation are how our Dining system works, a basic description of Salon services, and an overview of our many other amenities. I also describe locations of various venues (using a map of the property), and give them a cursory tour of the Uniguest app, an all-inclusive resource for virtually everything going on at Harbor’s Edge.
Once move-in day arrives, I meet with the movers and get them checked in with our Security department. It is at that time that we lock our freight elevator specifically for the movers, ensuring that they are the only ones allowed to use it. This helps the move go faster and smoother for everyone. Instead of having to wait for the elevator, the movers can come and go directly from the first floor to the floor of the new resident with no waiting. This also helps with safety, in that there is no concern of an existing resident having to share an elevator with large pieces of furniture or stacks of boxes where they could be knocked over or have an object fall on them.
When our new resident arrives at their new home, they are greeted by a welcome basket prepared by our Dining Department. These baskets contain a variety of snacks, bottled water, and a bottle of wine. It’s our way of saying “Welcome home”.
Our Hospitality Committee springs into action on move-in day! The Hospitality Committee is made up of residents with a desire to make Harbor’s Edge a warm and welcoming environment. Within a day or two of our new residents’ arrival, they are greeted by a resident “mentor” who brings them a Hospitality Welcome Booklet – basically a condensed, easy-to-read version of the 88-page Resident Handbook. They give them advice and tips from a resident’s perspective.
In the end, my goal is to be a consistent and dependable point of contact throughout the entire move-in process. Whether it’s answering questions, solving problems, or simply offering reassurance, I want our new residents to know they’re not navigating this transition alone. Moving can be overwhelming, but with the right support and a welcoming community, it can also be an exciting and positive experience. At Harbor’s Edge, we don’t just help people move into a new residence – we help them feel at home.
Any more questions about community orientation or move-in day? Don’t hesitate to contact us!