Kentucky Circle Village

Kentucky Circle Village sits over in the Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood in Denver, and you can tell they really put thought into what older folks need, because you get a calm park-like setting, plenty of green lawns, shade trees, lots of colorful flowers cared for by volunteer residents, and spots to just sit, visit on a bench, or have a picnic at the tables. The place has 172 senior apartments for people 62 and up, laid out in two sections called the Campus, with one-story bungalow homes in a quiet neighborhood setting, and the Courtyard, where you find two- and three-story buildings with elevators and a nice open courtyard. They've set up the apartments so you can choose from studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and even a deluxe one-bedroom, with big double-paned windows, some with vaulted ceilings, and kitchens that actually let people cook like they want, and some places have ADA access too.

Rent starts around $470 a month, and that covers gas, heat you can adjust yourself, water, electricity, trash pickup, grounds and home maintenance, snow removal in the winter, one hot noon meal a week in the community dining room, and staff who help if problems come up after hours. They let small pets stay with their owners as long as you pay a deposit and a little extra each month, and there's a damage deposit equal to one month's rent, so folks know what to plan for. Apartments have air conditioning, on-site laundry rooms you can pay a little to use, and extra storage if you need it. Some apartments open right to the outside, others are inside buildings connected by elevators and halls, but either way, they keep the grounds well lit and the sidewalks clear, and there's even a private circle drive for walks or jogs. Volunteers patrol at night just to keep things safe.

You always see something going on, because the Residents' Council organizes holiday parties, craft sales, pancake suppers, bingo and card games, coffee meetups, movie nights, and group trips using free scheduled transportation for outings, grocery shopping, or errands. Inside, there are places for everyone too-there's a library, a media center, a computer room with Wi-Fi, clubhouses with free internet, a patio with a gas grill, places for daily social activities, plus coffee and snacks most days, and exercise equipment and a pool table if you want to stay active. Folks also get support with things like hot lunches and some social services, and if someone needs help, there are assisted living, memory care, hospice, and even nursing home services, so there are different kinds of care as people's needs change.

Kentucky Circle Village is careful about being inclusive and safe, with rules to protect people from discrimination, including based on gender identity, orientation, income, and more; they don't allow smoking indoors anywhere, and guests and small pets are welcome. There are 12-month leases, and because this is a subsidized housing community, those with lower incomes can apply-though there's a waiting list, and you've got to pay a nonrefundable deposit when you sign up. People seem to appreciate the careful upkeep, the active life, and above all the friendly community that comes with plenty of natural beauty, all right in a Denver neighborhood known for easy living and close to parks.