Yes, New Beginnings isn't about taking care of you physically. I would say it is more like a hotel with a kitchen and with staff who will drive you to the places you need to go (pharmacy, doc appts/surgery, and grocery store, at a minimum). You can't beat all that for $139+ per night! There is definitely some cash savings there (being able to cook, no need to rent a car, etc.). It is especially good for those guys who would have to hire someone to bring them home from the surgery and stay with them for 24 hours, if they had no one with them. I did very much appreciate their "tips" and knowledge when it came to the recovery process, as well. You also knew what to expect on the day of surgery due to their knowledge. But, yes they have "jobs", so they are not always present in the house. I suspect that how much they are around is based on how busy they are with their other businesses. I would guess that there was probably only about 15-20 hours max where one of the owners was not in the house during the 9 days/8 nights that I was there, but I don't know if that is usual or unusual. But, again, even though they were home, they usually had their own work going on. Don't expect them to "keep you company", you need to seek out the other people staying there if you want that.
You do have to pay for travel to and from the airport (it is about a 40 minute drive from where they are currently located, anyway). They don't guarantee a ride to their place, though. If they can't pick you up it costs you $10 more for a shuttle. They will take you to the airport right after your post op appointment, for certain, though.
There was 3 guys who went through the surgery process the same week as I did and left either the day before or the same day I did. There were 3 more guys (including CJ from this site), who came the day before I left. Garramone does surgeries on Mondays and Thursdays (and sometimes Fridays), so that is why people come in waves.
The issues for the owners came to a head the day after I left. I am so very glad to hear that they will continue to do this great service for the community. I can't say enough about how great it is to stay there. There was a nice balance of connecting with others or having your privacy. The tone is set for people to respect each others space, but you can always (if there are other patients who are out of their bedrooms), be around people if you want. I don't know how the new house is set up structurally, but the owners did encourage quiet so people could rest without noise both day and night.
