Moving to Barclay Friends: Senior Moving Guide for West Chester’s Premier CCRC
Moving to Barclay Friends represents a significant life transition—whether you’re downsizing from a family home, transitioning to assisted living, or moving within the continuing care continuum. Barclay Friends, located at 700 N. Franklin Street in downtown West Chester, stands as one of Chester County’s most prestigious continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), with a rich Quaker heritage and comprehensive amenities.
For a complete guide to senior living options throughout West Chester and Chester County, see our comprehensive guide to moving to West Chester senior communities or browse other senior living communities in West Chester.
This guide covers everything you need to know about moving to Barclay Friends—from understanding the community’s structure and layout, to coordinating with management, downsizing your home, and executing a smooth move-in day.
Why This Move Is Complex
Moving to any continuing care community involves multiple layers of coordination. You’re not just physically moving belongings; you’re transitioning into a community with specific move-in policies, financial agreements, and integration timelines. Barclay Friends, as a full-continuum CCRC, has particular requirements around documentation, timing, and property management coordination.
The difference between an overwhelming move and a smooth transition often comes down to professional guidance and experienced movers who understand the specific requirements of senior communities.
About Barclay Friends
Community History & Positioning
Barclay Friends traces its heritage to 1889 when Quaker families founded the organization to provide retirement housing for members of the Religious Society of Friends. Today, the community operates as part of Kendal Corporation, a national leader in Quaker-affiliated senior living, but maintains its founding principles of compassion, community, and Quaker values.
Location & Setting
The main campus occupies a prominent position at 700 North Franklin Street, within walking distance of downtown West Chester’s restaurants, shopping, and cultural venues. This downtown location differentiates Barclay Friends from suburban or isolated senior communities—residents maintain walkable access to vibrant urban amenities while living in a supportive care environment.
Accreditation & Recognition
- CCRC licensed by Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Accredited by Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
- Named “Best of Chester County 2024” for senior living services
- Continuing Care Commission member
The Continuum of Care
Barclay Friends operates a full continuum model, meaning residents can age in place as their care needs change:
Independent Living: Apartments and villas for active seniors requiring no assistance. Residents maintain full independence while accessing community amenities and services.
Personal Care (Assisted Living): For seniors requiring assistance with activities of daily living—bathing, dressing, medication management—while maintaining as much independence as possible.
Memory Care: Specialized units for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, with secure environments and trained staff.
Skilled Nursing: For residents requiring 24-hour medical care, rehabilitation after hospitalization, or end-of-life care.
Why the Continuum Matters for Your Move
Understanding Barclay Friends’ continuum structure helps frame your potential move. You might enter at independent living but know that if your health changes, you can transition within the same community, maintaining your friendships and familiar environment rather than transferring to an unfamiliar facility.
Resident Demographics
Barclay Friends primarily serves affluent, educated seniors (average age 82-85) with significant resources and often prior professional careers. The community attracts residents with values alignment around Quaker principles of service, social responsibility, and community involvement.
Moving Logistics & Coordination
Understanding the Move-In Process at Barclay Friends
Barclay Friends has a specific move-in process distinct from other senior communities. Understanding this process early helps you plan your relocation timeline accurately.
Step 1: Admissions & Financial Agreement (2-4 weeks)
Before you can schedule a move-in date, you’ll complete Barclay Friends’ admissions process:
- Admissions meeting (contact: 610-696-5211) with Community Relations to discuss your needs, review floor plan options, and understand the financial model
- Health assessment questionnaire about current health status and care needs
- Financial review to ensure you meet the community’s financial requirements and understand the entrance fee and monthly costs
- Approval and community residence agreement execution
What to Know: This process cannot be rushed. Plan 2-4 weeks minimum. During this time, you should begin downsizing and preparing your move logistics.
Step 2: Floor Plan Selection & Home Orientation (1-2 weeks before move)
Once approved and a unit becomes available, you’ll:
- Tour your specific apartment/villa with community staff
- Review the floor plan and measure doorways, hallways, and rooms
- Meet with the move coordinator to discuss move-in logistics
- Plan furniture placement with floor plan in hand
- Identify what will and won’t fit in your new space
Pro Tip: Take detailed measurements and photos during your tour. This allows you to photograph furniture in your current home and create floor plan mockups showing exactly what fits and what needs to be sold, donated, or placed in storage.
Step 3: Move-In Date Assignment (1-2 weeks)
Barclay Friends assigns move-in dates based on staff availability, building occupancy schedules, your readiness, and seasonal factors (they prefer avoiding extreme weather).
What to Know: Move-in dates are NOT flexible once assigned. Plan your entire moving schedule around this assigned date. If you’re not ready, you may need to request a different date (pushing back your move timeline).
Certificate of Insurance & Professional Mover Requirements
Barclay Friends requires all moving companies to provide:
Certificate of Insurance (COI) Including:
- General Liability: $1,000,000 minimum
- Workers’ Compensation: As required by Pennsylvania law
- Proof of valid insurance (not expired)
- Barclay Friends listed as “additional insured”
Submission Process:
- Provide Barclay Friends’ insurance requirements to your moving company
- Moving company submits COI directly to Barclay Friends Risk Management
- Allow 5-7 business days for review
- Confirm approval before move-in date
Why This Matters: Many moving companies operate without proper insurance or with inadequate coverage. Barclay Friends’ requirement protects residents and the community from liability. Ensure your moving company can provide this documentation—it’s non-negotiable.
Move-In Timing & Building Access
Typical Move-In Window:
- Monday-Thursday, 9 AM – 4 PM
- Elevator reserved for your use only during move
- You cannot move in on weekends or after 4 PM
- Building access requires check-in with front security desk
Building Logistics:
- Single elevator serves all residential floors (plan accordingly for multiple trips)
- Loading dock available with advance coordination
- Street parking limited downtown; Barclay Friends provides parking validation for movers
- Professional dollies required (standard hand trucks acceptable, but fancier equipment helps)
What This Means for Your Moving Day: A typical 2-bedroom apartment move takes 6-8 hours. The single elevator is your bottleneck. Professional movers with proper equipment can navigate this more efficiently than non-professional help.
Furniture Size & Doorway Constraints
Downtown apartments have space challenges:
Typical Unit Dimensions:
- Independent living apartments: 600-900 sq ft
- Main bedroom: 12′ x 14′
- Dining/living areas: Combined 18′ x 20′
- Doorways: Standard 32″ (standard width, can be tight)
Common Issues:
- Queen-sized bed may be too large for bedroom doorways (takes angling and careful maneuvering)
- Large sectional sofas rarely fit through doorways or into living spaces
- Dining tables larger than 36″ round or 4′ x 6′ rarely work
- Large armoires and upright dressers may not fit through doorways
- Refrigerators sometimes need removal of doors to fit through kitchen passages
Solution: Take precise measurements, use a floor plan mockup tool, and measure furniture doorway clearances BEFORE move day. This prevents the embarrassing situation of a movers arriving with a piece that can’t fit into the apartment.
Coordination with Building Management
Before your move-in date:
- Notify building security of your move date and moving company name
- Inform your new neighbors – Barclay Friends sends notification; moving day creates noise
- Coordinate elevator use – Submit moving company details to facilities/housing office
- Confirm parking – Validate mover parking if applicable
- Identify service elevator vs. passenger elevator – Service elevator (if available) may be preferred for furniture moves
For more on coordinating moves in senior living communities throughout West Chester and Chester County, see our comprehensive senior relocation guide.
Preparing for Your Move
Downsizing from Home to Apartment Living
Most residents moving to Barclay Friends are downsizing from 2,500-3,500 sq ft homes to 600-900 sq ft apartments. This requires letting go of approximately 60-70% of your belongings.
The Three-Category Downsizing System
Category 1: Bring Forward (30-40% of furniture)
Keep only furniture that fits your new space and serves your lifestyle.
Example Keep List:
- Queen or full bed (depending on bedroom size)
- One dresser (not two)
- One or two upholstered chairs
- One coffee table
- Dining table (36″ round or 4′ x 6′ rectangular maximum)
- Bookcase (one, not multiple)
- Television
- Personal electronics
Category 2: Donate/Sell (40-50% of furniture)
Donate to local charities or sell via estate sales and online platforms.
Category 3: Discard (10-15%)
Broken, worn, outdated items with no donation/sale value.
Managing Sentimental Items
The hardest part of downsizing isn’t space constraints—it’s emotional attachment.
Strategy: Create a “memory collection” that honors your past without overwhelming your new space.
- Photograph large collections (family china, art, heirloom furniture) before letting go
- Frame meaningful family photos for wall displays
- Keep a few pieces of furniture with special significance; let go of duplicates
- Create a memory box with letters, documents, and small keepsakes
- Consider digitizing documents and photographs
Timeline for Downsizing
Plan 8-10 weeks:
- Weeks 1-3: Sort belongings, photograph items to keep, begin sales/donations
- Weeks 4-6: Execute estate sale or individual sales, coordinate donations
- Weeks 7-8: Finalize what travels with you, arrange storage for items in transition
- Week 9: Final packing, confirmation of move-in logistics
- Week 10: Move-in date
Professional Packing for Fragile Items
Your move includes family heirlooms, china, artwork, and collectibles accumulated over decades.
Professional Packing Includes:
- Assessment of special items requiring custom packing
- Specialty supplies (archival boxes for photos/documents, museum-quality paper for art)
- Room-by-room packing with detailed inventory
- Labeling by room and fragility level
- Furniture disassembly and reassembly
LiteMovers specializes in professional senior moves in West Chester, with particular expertise in downsizing and heirloom protection.
Move Day & After
Pre-Move Day Checklist (Final Week)
With Barclay Friends:
- [ ] Confirm move-in date and time window with community
- [ ] Provide proof of certificate of insurance to facilities office
- [ ] Confirm elevator reservation
- [ ] Notify neighbors (informal welcome to building)
- [ ] Arrange any special requests (parking validation, service elevator access)
With Your Moving Company:
- [ ] Provide detailed floor plan and furniture placement preferences
- [ ] Confirm arrival time window
- [ ] Identify any special handling items (antiques, art, electronics)
- [ ] Confirm crew size and equipment
- [ ] Discuss moving company’s damage/liability coverage
At Your Current Home:
- [ ] Complete all packing (except day-of items)
- [ ] Arrange utilities disconnect after move day
- [ ] Forward mail to new address (post office or community)
- [ ] Do final walkthrough the day before move
- [ ] Have phone charged for moving company communication
Move Day Execution
Timeline:
- 8:00 AM: Moving crew arrives, checks in with building security
- 8:15 AM: Crew begins loading from vehicle to elevator
- 9:30 AM: First furniture arrives in apartment; crew begins placement
- 12:00 PM: Lunch break (provide drinks and snacks for crew)
- 1:00 PM: Continue unloading and furniture arrangement
- 4:00 PM: Final walkthrough with crew; confirm placement satisfaction
- 4:30 PM: Crew departs; you begin unpacking
Your Role:
- Meet crew at apartment entrance
- Provide direction on furniture placement (use floor plan)
- Identify any damaged items immediately
- Ensure crew has access codes/keys needed
- Take photos of empty truck when finished (proof of complete move)
First Week in Your New Community
Days 1-2: Unpack essentials, locate important items, rest
Days 3-5:
- Introduce yourself to neighbors
- Learn location of dining room, activity spaces, fitness center
- Attend community orientation if offered
- Arrange furniture to your liking if crew placement wasn’t perfect
Week 2: Join clubs/groups that match your interests, establish routine
Barclay Friends Amenities & Community Life
Residential Amenities
- On-site restaurant with table service
- Fitness center
- Library
- Game room and hobby studios
- Auditorium for performances
- Gardens and outdoor space
- Wellness center
Dining & Nutrition
Three meals daily included with residence agreement. Dining philosophy emphasizes fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Special dietary needs accommodated.
Healthcare Services
- On-site nursing staff
- Coordination with nearby Chester County Hospital
- Wellness programs
- In-community physician visits
- Pharmacy services
Lifestyle & Activities
Active community with cultural events, educational lectures, fitness classes, hobby groups, and volunteer opportunities.
Downtown West Chester Location Advantage
The Downtown Advantage
Unlike suburban senior communities, Barclay Friends residents maintain walkable access to downtown West Chester’s vibrant culture.
Nearby Restaurants: 65+ dining options within walking distance
Shopping: Farmer’s market, boutiques, galleries
Cultural: West Chester University events, theaters
Healthcare: Chester County Hospital three blocks away
Transportation: SEPTA bus service to regional destinations
For more on living in downtown West Chester and navigating the historic district’s unique moving logistics, see our complete downtown West Chester moving guide.
Why Choose LiteMovers for Your Barclay Friends Move
Senior Moving Specialization
We specialize in transitions like yours. We understand the emotional complexity of downsizing, the importance of protecting irreplaceable heirlooms, and the specific logistics of coordinating with communities like Barclay Friends.
Experience with Barclay Friends
We’ve coordinated 40+ moves to Barclay Friends, establishing relationships with the management team and understanding the community’s specific requirements.
What’s Included
- Free floor plan assessment (we measure your new apartment and identify what fits)
- Downsizing consultation (what to keep, donate, sell)
- Professional packing for heirlooms and collectibles
- Full-service moving with trained senior movers
- Furniture arrangement in your new apartment
- Post-move unpacking and organization assistance
- Storage-in-transit if needed
Local Expertise
We navigate downtown West Chester’s parking and access challenges. We handle the certificate of insurance requirements. We coordinate directly with Barclay Friends management.
Get Your Free Estimate
Schedule Your Free Estimate Online
Or Call 610-755-5535
Frequently Asked Questions About Barclay Friends Moves
Q: How much does it cost to move to Barclay Friends?
A: Costs vary based on home size, furniture volume, and services. Typical costs range from $5,000-$12,000 for full-service moves including packing and downsizing coordination. Get your free estimate with no obligation.
Q: Can Barclay Friends recommend movers?
A: Barclay Friends does not formally recommend specific movers but maintains a list of companies that have coordinated moves to the community. LiteMovers is on this list. Ask admissions for referrals.
Q: How long does the move take?
A: A typical 2-bedroom apartment move takes 6-8 hours. The single elevator is the limiting factor. Professional movers with proper equipment complete faster than non-professional help.
Q: What if my furniture doesn’t fit?
A: This is common and expected. We work with you to identify what fits during the estimation process. Items that don’t fit can be sold, donated, or placed in storage-in-transit.
Q: Is there storage available at Barclay Friends?
A: Limited storage is available but fills quickly. If you need storage after your move, storage-in-transit can extend 30-90 days, giving you time to sell items or arrange alternative storage.
Q: Can I visit before my move-in date?
A: Yes. Schedule visits during the downsizing process to take measurements, visualize your furniture placement, and begin mentally preparing for your transition.
Related West Chester Senior Communities
Exploring other options? Browse guides to other West Chester senior communities:
- Moving to Wellington at Hershey’s Mill – Memory care specialization within Hershey’s Mill
- Moving to Bellingham at West Chester – Multi-level community with white-tablecloth dining
- Moving to Sunrise of Westtown – U.S. News recognized memory care
- Moving to Arbor Terrace Willistown – Award-winning dining program
- Moving to The Hickman – Historic downtown Quaker community
Or view our complete guide to senior living in West Chester and Chester County
Ready to Move to Barclay Friends?
For a complete overview of all West Chester senior living options and moving services available in Chester County, see our comprehensive moving guide.
If Barclay Friends is your chosen community, we’re here to make the transition smooth and stress-free.
Get Your Free Estimate Today
Schedule Online or Call 610-755-5535
What to expect:
- Professional estimator visits your home (30-45 minutes, no obligation)
- We assess furniture, measure doorways, and discuss downsizing strategy
- You receive a transparent, detailed estimate within 24 hours
- Schedule your move and begin planning with our team
- We coordinate everything with Barclay Friends management
Return to Complete West Chester Moving Guide
Return to the complete West Chester moving guide for information on apartment moves, new construction, real estate coordination, and neighborhood guides.
