An affordable home on the range [video]

When it comes to hobbies, James Carlson is more than a one-trick pony.

For starters, he is a singing cowboy, just like his childhood hero, Roy Rogers.

He’s also a toy collector with a keen eye for the pieces he played with as a child, and he’s made doll furniture since his daughters were toddlers.

James grew up on a farm, loves western-themed folklore and has played country music all his life.

In his new home — one of the Good Samaritan Society’s affordable housing apartments — James continues to explore his variety of interests.

For some people, the image of “budget-friendly” housing implies limited options...a step down from a typical retirement setting.

This cowboy begs to differ.

“You talk about a worry-free life,” James says of his home. “I got it, man. I’m staying here!”

Hear James sing and talk about his life at the Good Samaritan Society in the video below:

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An affordable home means 'I can do what I want...and enjoy life'

For James, having a home he loves and can afford means everything.

“It’s all inclusive in the one payment, so after you write that one check out, there are no other expenses,” he says. Heat, air conditioning, electricity and even laundry are all included in his monthly payment for the apartment.

Before moving to Echo Glen Apartments, about two-thirds of his income went to housing, James says. Now, it’s less than half of his income.

”I can do what I want to do and go where I want to go and enjoy life," he says. "It means the world because you go to sleep at night and you don’t have nothin’ to worry about.”

James says he has lots of reasons for wanting to stay in his apartment for as long as possible, including:

• The building is secure
• When it’s time to take out the trash or pick up his mail, he doesn’t need to leave the building
• He's within walking distance or a short bus ride to a Veterans Affairs clinic and his favorite downtown stores
• He lives in a community with others his age
• There’s no upkeep or maintenance to take care of

“You wake up in the morning," James says, "you just walk out the door and go any direction you want, pal.”

Happy trails, cowboy. Happy trails.

James isn't the only one grateful for his apartment

James Carlson is just one of many seniors happy to have a home they both love and can afford.

Watch the video below to hear from one of James' neighbors about the peace of mind the Good Samaritan Society's subsidized housing offers her: