College-Linked Retirement Communities


Best Places to Retire

Colleges and universities have become increasingly involved in the development of retirement communities on or near their campuses. The extent of each college’s involvement varies. Some communities merely lease land from the university and have no special connection to campus programs. Others are creating communities for their alumni with golf courses, clubhouses, and condos, houses, and assisted living facilities. Many people today are looking for more meaning and value in retirement. College-linked retirement communities offer a return to a stimulating environment they enjoyed decades earlier. Residents audit classes and may even teach. They may also attend various cultural and sporting events on campus.

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The motivation for seniors returning to campus is qualitatively different from those who choose traditional retirement communities. They hunger for something more than warm weather and a condo on the fifth green. It is fundamentally about personal growth, stimulation, the development of a more meaningful life, and a supportive intellectual and cultural climate to make it happen. They want to continue to learn and enrich themselves. The communities listed below are located on or near a campus and have connections to the educational institution that may involve access to educational programs, health care services, and other activities on campus. You will find Web links to each city, college or university, and the associated retirement community.

State/City College or University Retirement Community
Alabama    
Birmingham Samford University Somerby at University Park
Tuscaloosa University of Alabama Capstone Village
Arizona    
Tucson University of Arizona Academy Village
     
Arkansas    
Conway University of Central Arkansas College Square
Fayetteville University of Arkansas Butterfield Trail Village
     
     
California    
Davis University of California at Davis University Retirement Community
Los Angeles University of California, Los Angeles Belmont Village Westwood
Palo Alto Stanford University Vi at Palo Alto
Thousand Oaks California Lutheran University University Village Thousand Oaks
     
Connecticut    
West Hartford St. Joseph College The McAuley
     
Florida    
DeLand Stetson University Victoria Gardens
Gainesville University of Florida Oak Hammock
Ocala Central Florida Community College Spruce Creek Country Club
Pensacola University of West Florida Azalea Trace
St. Petersburg Eckerd College College Harbor
Tallahassee Florida State University Westcott Lakes at South Wood
     
Georgia    
Alpharetta Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Club
Athens University of Georgia Georgia Club
     
Illinois    
Chicago Loyola University Chicago The Clare at Water Tower
Lisle Benedictine University Villa St. Benedict
Urbana University of Illinois Orchard Downs
     
Indiana    
Anderson Anderson University University Village Condominium
Bloomington Indiana University Meadowood Retirement Community
Evansville University of Southern Indiana Solarbron Pointe
South Bend University of Notre Dame Holy Cross Village
West Lafayette Purdue University University Place
     
Iowa    
Ames Iowa State University Green Hills Retirement Community
Waverly Wartburg College Eisenach Village
    Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community
Kentucky    
Lexington University of Kentucky Limestone Crossing
Midway Midway College  
Louisiana    
Baton Rouge Louisiana State University University Pointe
     
Maine    
Augusta University of Maine at Augusta Senior College Granite Hill Estates
Bath University College The Highlands
Orono University of Maine Dirigo Pines
Maryland    
Laurel University of Maryland Central Parke at Victoria Falls *Courses will be held at the community
     
Massach­usetts    
Amherst University of Massach­usetts Applewood at Amherst
  Amherst College  
  Five College Consortium Veridian Village at Hampshire College
Dartmouth University of Massach­usetts In Planning Stage
East­hampton Five College Consortium The Inn at East­hampton
Newton Lasell College Lasell Village
Northampton Five College Consortium Lathrop Communit Town Homes
Springfield Springfield College Reeds Landing
Williamstown Williams College Sweetwood
     
Michigan    
Ann Arbor University of Michigan University Commons
Hillsdale Hillsdale College Independence Grove
Minnesota    
Northfield Carlton College Village on the Cannon
  St. Olaf College  
St. Joseph College of St. Benedict Under development
St. Peter Gustavus Adolphus College Project under study
Winona St. Mary’s University of Minnesota University Village of Winona
     
New Hampshire    
Durham University of New Hampshire The Inn at Sprucewood
Hanover Dartmouth College Kendal at Hanover
     
New York    
Henrietta Rochester Institute of Technology Rivers Run
Ithaca Cornell University The Kendal at Ithaca
  Ithaca College Longview Retirement Community
Purchase Purchase College Under development
     
North Carolina    
Boone Appalachian State University Appalachian/​Brian Estates 828-264-1006
Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The Cedars of Chapel Hill
    Carol Woods Retirement Community
    Carolina Meadows
Davidson Davidson College The Pines at Davidson
    Bailey’s Glen
Durham Duke University Carol Woods Retirement Community
    Croasdaile Village
    The Forest at Duke
Elon Elon University Henton at Elon & Hamlet
Fearrington Duke University Galloway Ridge at Fearrington
     
North Dakota    
Dickinson Dickinson State University
     
Ohio    
Delaware Ohio Wesleyan University Austin Manor
Granville Denison University Kendal at Granville
Oberlin Oberlin College Kendal at Oberlin
Oxford Miami University of Ohio The Knolls of Oxford
     
Oregon    
Ashland Southern Oregon University
Eugene University of Oregon Cascade Manor
Portland Marylhurst University Mary’s Woods at Marylhurst
     
Pennsyl­vania    
Haverford Haverford College The Quadrangle
  Swathmore College  
Huntingdon Juniata College Westminster Woods
Kennett Square West Chester University Kendal-Crosslands Community
  University of Delaware  
Loretto St. Francis University In planning stage
State College Pennsyl­vania State University The Village at Penn State
    Liberty Hill
West Chester West Chester University of Pennsyl­vania Barclay Friends
South Carolina    
Greenville Furman University The Woodlands at Furman
Rock Hill Winthrop University In planning stage
     
Texas    
Austin The University of Texas Longhorn Village
College Station Texas A & M Traditions Club
Georgetown Southwestern University Del Webb’s Sun City Texas
Houston Houston Baptist University University Place
Nacog­doches Stephen F. Austin State University Timber Springs
     
Vermont    
Middlebury Middlebury College Eastview at Midlebury
Virginia    
Char­lottesville University of Virginia Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge
    The Colonnades
Lexington Washington and Lee University Kendal at Lexington
  Virginia Military Institute  
     
Washington    
Seattle University of Washington University House at Issaquah
    University House at Wallingford
     
Wisconsin    
Madison University of Wisconsin Capitol Lakes
Oshkosh University of Wisconsin Evergreen Retirement Community