We are not residents at the Villa Marin, but a family member of ours applied and moved there.
Plan on (at least) 2 or 3 months to find a unit you like, become familiar with the requirements, complete the Medical, Financial, Real Estate forms, and get approval on all.
You must be evaluated by your doctor who supplies an overview of your total health, orders all the basic lab work, and then the Villa Marin doctor reviews the report and results, also does an evaluation, and may order more tests.
Be prepared to for a Mini Mental Test (Google the term) with the Villa Marin (VM) Sociologist just prior to meeting with the VM doctor. The medical tests and evaluations often take the longest to complete, especially since various offices and labs may not get your results back to the Villa Marin until you track down who has what and press them to send the paperwork.
Your financial assets and liabilities are also carefully reviewed, and generally must reflect an income 2.5 times greater than your monthly fee (mentioned below). They have a work sheet that guides you through the process.
And, of course, you must buy a Condominium, which is yours to sell later and may appreciate over time. Of course the value may go down as it did with us. You may have to lower the price, but also you are losing the amount you pay in monthly fees. Keep in mind the fee ( approx. $2700 for one, $4,000 for two) must continue to be paid until the unit is sold. Even if you move, or need long term assisted care, or pass away, the $2700 payment must be paid until the unit is sold to someone else. This is not the mortgage payment, but more like an Association Fee for the Villa Marin - it pays for one meal a day, linen service, a condo cleaning once a week, Building improvements and maintenance, and contributes to the Health Contract, but I am unsure of the specifics.
The facility - it's a big Condo complex with on site healthcare, and seems very well run and with friendly staff. The Condo owners I've met are very nice and interesting people, and the staff seems professional.
The Condo owners also collectively own the building. The Homeowner's Association actually governs the facility through a management team they have under contract - so there are no Corporate Overlords. The Villa Marin does not need to demonstrate ever greater profits to please shareholders, but they are very careful about keeping their finances healthy, and will review your financial health closely to be certain you can afford to meet your obligations.
Negatives:
Outdated and cumbersome phone system
A larger, better gym would encourage exercise
"Legacy" fees until unit is sold is burdensome to heirs if in slow real estate market
Nearly impossible to sell your unit except through the agent at the Villa Marin
WIFI needs improvement
There should (must) be an Owner's Web site with info and help
Common forms (eg maintenance) should be available to submit online
Positives:
On-site healthcare / Physician
Condo owners at the Villa Marin are tops
Some great programs and outings / outstanding volunteerism
Nice location and views
They have a very good RE agent, but he has limited funding for marketing
The Villa Marin seems well run and well regarded
Staff is generally effective and friendly read more