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.