Air Force Enlisted Village

    92 Sunset Ln, Shalimar, FL, 32579
    4.5 · 22 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    • Memory care
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Great for conservative retired military

    I live here and I love the beautiful, spacious rooms, outstanding staff who treat residents like family, plentiful activities, bus service, pool/exercise classes, and strong security - ideal for retired military who want a tight, supportive community. It's overwhelmingly conservative Christian in culture, so non-Christians or liberal/Jewish residents may have difficulty fitting in. Be warned about rising rents, high non-refundable fees and extra charges (gutters/appliances), restrictive policies and a death-rent deduction that felt questionable. Maintenance is prompt but the building is older with thin walls and landscaping could use more care. Overall great for independent military veterans who fit the culture, but it lacks higher levels of care and isn't for everyone.

    Pricing

    Schedule a Tour

    Amenities

    4.50 · 22 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.7
    • Staff

      4.8
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      4.2
    • Value

      2.7

    Pros

    • Caring, personable and prompt staff
    • Strong security (gated community and police presence)
    • Spacious apartments including two-bedroom, two-bath options
    • Bus transportation to stores, doctors, and activities
    • Active social and recreational programs
    • Exercise room, pool, and swimming classes
    • Shared military/veteran community and camaraderie
    • Free meals on holidays
    • Close to the base (within about 2 miles)
    • Maintenance that handles apartment repairs
    • Volunteer opportunities and resident meetings for improvements
    • Independent living with memory care available

    Cons

    • Expensive with rising rents
    • High non-refundable fees and extra charges
    • Restrictive or unclear fee policies (e.g., gutters, appliances, death rent deduction)
    • Not inclusive for non-Christian or non-conservative residents
    • Lacks full continuum of care (not all levels of care provided)
    • Thin walls, older building, and noise issues
    • Some reports of reduced activities
    • Landscaping and grounds maintenance can be inconsistent
    • No pets allowed
    • Potential transparency or legality concerns around policies/fees
    • Surface appearance vs. underlying policy/fee issues
    • Potential difficulty fitting in for residents who are not part of the prevailing culture

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is predominantly positive about the staff, community, amenities, and the safety of Air Force Enlisted Village, tempered by recurring concerns around cost, restrictive policies, and community fit. Many reviewers praise the people who work and live there — staff are repeatedly described as kind, helpful, prompt, and personable. Maintenance and caregiving responses are noted as reliable, and residents appreciate opportunities for input through meetings. The facility is characterized as safe and secure, with a gated entrance and reported police presence, making many residents feel protected.

    Care quality and staff: Reviews consistently highlight the attentiveness and warmth of staff. Care is described as prompt, and employees are said to treat residents like family. This strong staff reputation is a key positive and contributes heavily to residents’ satisfaction. The staff’s responsiveness extends to maintenance, which many residents praise for keeping apartments in good repair.

    Facilities and apartments: Many reviewers emphasize the size and condition of apartments — including two-bedroom, two-bath units — describing them as spacious, up-to-date, and comfortable. The community layout and some aesthetic attributes are called beautiful. However, there are multiple mentions of the building being older in places, with thin walls and noise problems, which suggests that while units themselves may be large and attractive, some structural or soundproofing issues remain.

    Dining, activities, and transportation: The community offers an active calendar with many recreational opportunities: exercise rooms, a pool, swimming classes, and varied social activities. Residents report being kept busy with programs and volunteer opportunities. Bus transportation to stores, doctors, and activities is an appreciated convenience. Holiday traditions such as free meals are cited positively and contribute to a sense of community.

    Community and culture: A dominant theme is the strong shared military identity — residents value the camaraderie, shared experience, and veteran-focused support. The community gives priority to Air Force residents and appeals to retired military and widows. Several reviewers, however, point out a cultural homogeneity: the community is described as overwhelmingly conservative and Christian, and multiple reviewers indicated that non-Christians, liberal residents, or those of other faiths (for example, Jewish residents) may have difficulty fitting in. This is an important consideration for prospective residents who do not share the prevailing culture.

    Management, policies, and costs: Financial and policy concerns recur across reviews. Several reviewers describe the community as expensive, with rising rents and high non-refundable fees. There are specific complaints about extra charges (for things like gutters or appliances), a ‘‘death rent deduction’’ policy, and other potentially restrictive or unclear fee structures. Some reviews even flagged potential legality or transparency concerns with the way certain fees or policies are applied. Additionally, there are remarks about reduced activities in some instances and restrictive policies such as no pets. These issues suggest that prospective residents should closely review contracts, fee schedules, and written policies before committing.

    Safety and location: Many reviewers emphasize the safe environment and the facility’s convenient location near a base (approximately within two miles). The security measures and proximity to military resources are frequently identified as strong selling points.

    Maintenance and grounds: While maintenance of apartments receives praise, exterior upkeep and landscaping draw mixed feedback. Some reviewers call the grounds beautiful, while others note inconsistent mowing and weed control, indicating variability in exterior maintenance standards.

    Levels of care: The facility provides independent living with some memory care options, but several reviewers note a lack of all levels of care. For families or prospective residents who may have escalating care needs, this limitation is important — the community may not offer a full continuum of care on-site.

    Bottom line and recommendations for prospective residents: Reviews paint Air Force Enlisted Village as a warm, secure, and community-minded place especially well-suited to retired Air Force personnel and those who want a strong military cultural fit, friendly staff, and active programming. Key red flags to investigate further include cost (rising rents and non-refundable or extra fees), policy restrictions (no pets and other rules), potential transparency/legal issues around fees, noise and older building elements, and limited levels of care. Prospective residents should (1) verify the fee structure and policy details in writing, (2) assess the level-of-care options against future needs, (3) visit during activity hours to gauge the social fit and noise levels, and (4) talk to current residents about inclusion and culture to ensure it matches their expectations.

    Location

    Map showing location of Air Force Enlisted Village

    About Air Force Enlisted Village

    Air Force Enlisted Village sits in Shalimar, Florida, close to the Emerald Coast and not far from Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, and the place focuses on giving surviving spouses of retired enlisted Air Force members a safe, friendly, and secure place to call home, though retired military couples and "moms" of active duty members might find space here too when available, and it's a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that shows respect for military service while always trying to help when someone's in real need, with something called a Benevolent Fund that steps in for financial help if a surviving spouse needs it. The community has two main parts, Bob Hope Village for independent living in garden apartments, and Hawthorn House for assisted living and memory support, and the place has 224 one-bedroom and 32 two-bedroom options all linked by breezeways and featuring activity rooms and free laundry in every wing, so neighbors can get together easier. They didn't forget to make it pretty, so you'll see parks, gardens, and plenty of places to just enjoy the quiet, and you always feel it's a gated spot that pays attention to security, so peace of mind comes a little easier, and regular things like housekeeping, laundry, and in-house maintenance get taken care of by their staff, and you get services like meals, transportation, and even a beauty salon right on campus. The people who live here find social and recreational things to do, from crafts and bingo to Wii bowling, dances, Zumba Gold, card games, holiday parties, garden walks, and big community events like the CMSAF Binnicker Memorial 9K Run or the Bob Hope Memorial Charity Golf Classic, so there's always something happening if you want it. The different levels of care mean folks can move from independent living to assisted living or memory support at Hawthorn House when needed, and there's always someone around, night and day, if help is needed, especially for memory support. Folks feel a sense of camaraderie here that's tight and familiar, a military kind of neighborhood where people look out for each other, and that shows in things like chapels, convenience stores, fitness rooms with classes, wellness workshops called the HOPE Wellness Program, and little extras like a library and community cafés. Eligibility usually means being 55 or older and having a connection to the Air Force as a surviving spouse, but they do have rules that sometimes let in military couples from other services or moms of active duty members if there's space, always trying to lend a hand wherever they can. The campus has easy access to military bases, VA outpatient care, and it's part of the Air Force Assistance Fund campaign, and people can get involved in local programs, volunteer, or just relax in the gardens. There's no big show in the way things operate; it's steady, straightforward, focused on keeping dignity, independence, and the strong community feeling that's always been important to people who served.

    People often ask...

    Nearby Communities

    • Exterior view of Renaissance on Peachtree, a multi-story building with large windows and a covered entrance. The building is surrounded by trees and greenery under a partly cloudy blue sky.
      $5,300+4.3 (118)
      2 Bedroom
      independent living, assisted living

      Renaissance on Peachtree

      3755 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30319
    • Aerial view of HearthStone at Leesburg senior living facility showing a large, single-story building with multiple wings, surrounded by landscaped gardens, parking lots with cars, and a road on one side. The building has a gray roof and beige walls, with green trees and bushes around the property.
      $2,580 – $4,390+4.4 (64)
      Semi-private
      assisted living, memory care

      HearthStone at Leesburg

      1309 Marlene St, Leesburg, FL, 34748
    • Exterior view of a large, multi-story senior living facility building under a clear blue sky with an American flag on a flagpole in front and a well-maintained grassy lawn surrounding the building.
      $4,350 – $5,655+4.4 (165)
      Semi-private • Studio
      assisted living, memory care

      The Summit of Lakewood Ranch

      11705 Evening Walk Dr, Lakewood Ranch, FL, 34211
    • Front exterior view of Julian Woods Retirement Community, a large three-story building with a covered entrance, multiple windows, and a parking lot with several parked cars in front. The sky is clear and blue.
      $5,112 – $6,645+4.7 (38)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • Studio
      independent living, assisted living

      Julian Woods Retirement Community

      421 Overlook Rd Ext, Arden, NC, 28704
    • Exterior view of a modern multi-story senior living facility building at dusk with balconies, palm trees, and illuminated lights along the facade and entrance area.
      $5,500+4.5 (114)
      1 Bedroom
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Belmont Village Senior Living Fort Lauderdale

      1031 Seminole Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL, 33304
    • Exterior view of a large, multi-story yellow and beige building with balconies and a green dome on top, illuminated at dusk with trees in the foreground and city buildings in the background.
      Pricing on request4.8 (214)
      suite
      independent living, assisted living

      The Palace at Coral Gables

      1 Andalusia Ave, Coral Gables, FL, 33134
    © 2025 Mirador Living