Independent Living

Simply put, a Life Plan Community (also known as a continuing care retirement community or CCRC) is a community for older adults that offers independent living residences and access to higher levels of care all on one campus.

Independent residences are typically outfitted with the latest in home fits and finishes and offer the freedom of maintenance-free living. For a set monthly fee, so much is included: fresh dining, housekeeping, engaging amenities, and a myriad of cultural, social, educational, fitness and wellness programs.

Should a time come when extra support would be beneficial or required, a plan is in place. Specialized care, such as assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing, right on campus provides just what’s needed when it’s needed in welcoming environments.

Choosing to move to a Life Plan Community is about more than a maintenance-free lifestyle and having a plan in place for future care needs. If you are a proactive person, it’s about setting yourself up to ensure you are living life to the fullest. By having more time to do what you want to do — not what you have to do. By expanding your opportunities to be socially connected. By living in an environment designed to support total wellness. And, ultimately, by having security and peace of mind for you and those who love you.

A 55+ community offers independent living homes that usually include a maintenance-free lifestyle and a campus with common spaces and amenities. A Life Plan Community such as Valle Verde does the same, and, in addition, it offers various care options on campus. This means that if the health of you or your spouse ever changes, a plan will be in place. You won't need to move or be separated.

Valle Verde offers single-story garden homes in a wide range of sizes and floor plans. All homes feature modern fits and finishes and private patios. And, of course, all residents have access to a wealth of amenities across our 63-acre campus.

Yes, pets are welcome! Some breed and weight restrictions may apply, so please talk to a sales counselor about your specific situation.

Absolutely not. Independent living at Valle Verde is just that: independent. You decide how to live your life, structure your day and pursue what’s most important to you. And your residence is your private space.

We believe strongly in the benefits of living in a community setting with easy access to new friends, neighbors, interest groups and social events. But there is never any pressure to participate. You can partake in community life to whatever extent you desire.

Our beautiful 63-acre campus has plenty of amenities. Our fully equipped fitness center, year-round heated outdoor pool, pickleball court and walking paths make it easy to stay active. Club rooms, a wood shop and creative art studio help you to pursue your hobbies. In addition, we have a meditation room, library, bistro cafe and performance theater for meetings, movies, lectures, concerts and special events. See a full list of amenities.

Eating well is a cornerstone of our wellness approach. This means healthy food prepared from scratch with fresh ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. We feature a balanced offering of gourmet cuisine and classic comfort foods. 

Flexible dining points can be used when you like in either our restaurant-style main dining room or casual Amigos Grill cafe.

Valle Verde residents are very active with a wealth of interests! Between the work of our Life Enrichment team to create programs and excursions and resident-led interest groups and committees, there is something for everyone.

Some examples include:

• Group excursions to the Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara Museum of Art, theaters, ballets, concerts and more 
• Speaker series, book clubs and discussion groups
• Musical performances
• Numerous clubs and interest groups, such as card groups, meditation, educational lectures and grief support
• Volunteer opportunities
• Many fitness classes, water aerobics and personal training sessions
• Various resident-led committees that shape community life
• Spiritual and religious gatherings and programs

As an independent living resident with a Life Plan contract, you will pay a monthly fee and a one-time entrance fee. Both types of fees vary considerably depending on the size and type of home you choose. In addition, entrance fees vary by whether you select a rebatable or nonrebatable entrance fee option. (Rebatable means a portion of your entrance fee is returned to you or your estate when you leave the community.)

Please contact our sales counselors to learn more about available floor plans, fees and details of our contract.

If you would like to understand what type of home you could afford at Valle Verde, take this simple quiz.

An essential tenet of a Life Plan contract is to offer our residents security for life — physically, emotionally and financially. We operate a nonprofit foundation that provides financial support to those who outlive their resources through no fault of their own. For more information on Valle Verde's Life Plan contract, please contact one of our sales counselors.

Yes. We work closely with a downsizing and move management company that specializes in helping older adults. They can provide tremendous help throughout the process with sorting, organizing, disposing of unwanted items, packing for the move, space planning for your new home and even unpacking all of your belongings!

The benefit of a Life Plan Community such as Valle Verde is that you have a plan in place for possible future care needs. On our campus, we offer not only independent living residences but also care options such as assisted living, memory support and a skilled nursing center that can help with short-term recovery from a health event or a long-term care need. We can also assist you with adding care services in your home while living independently. As needs change, we work with you to determine what options are best and to add support only as needed to preserve autonomy and independence.

No, Valle Verde is not a traditional nursing home. It is a Life Plan Community, where the majority of residents live independently. We offer independent living residences and a continuum of care options — assisted living, memory support and skilled nursing care — should they be needed on one campus. Our care options include short-stay rehabilitation nursing for people who have been discharged from a hospital stay but are not yet strong enough to return to their homes.

In our independent living homes (sometimes also called “residential living”), no caregiver assistance for help with activities of daily living is included as part of the standard monthly fee. No one is precluded from our independent living homes based on any protected category. We welcome everyone. Each independent living resident has the ability to make separate arrangements for caregiver services either by hiring private in-home caregivers or contracting for additional services through their HumanGood community (if such services are offered).

It's normal to wonder if you’re ready to move. Understanding what being ready really means will help you make a decision that feels right for you. At times, people feel like they are waiting for a sign, a special birthday or circumstance. But the truth is, once you understand what a Life Plan Community is — and, just as importantly, what it’s not — the decision will become less fraught. Don’t forget to ask other people who have made the move about how they came to their decision — no doubt what you will hear is that they wish they had done it sooner.