A new type of retirement community will open later this spring in Thousand Oaks, offering residents housing that will meet their needs whether they are living independently or need constant care.

University Village is a continuing care facility for people 62 and older. It is the first of its kind in Ventura County.

Located on 65 acres off Olsen Road, the village looks out over hills and stone outcroppings that once were used to represent the moors, where Heathcliff and Katherine forged their stormy relationship in Orson Wells’ "Wuthering Heights."

The property was purchased from neighboring California Lutheran University, which has its recreation fields and new Gilbert Sports and Fitness Center nearby. The college and village are planning ways to work together that could involve seniors interacting with students.

About 90 percent of the village has been sold.

"The idea here is to really live well," said Warren Spieker III, vice president of Continuing Life Communities Thousand Oaks LLC. "Good food, a lot of things to do, a lot of social activities, that's how people live better."

It took two visits to University Village for Jon and Judy Hillis to decide that they wanted to move in.

It wasn't a new concept to them; Judy's parents lived in a similar community in Oregon for nearly 20 years.

"It was the best move they ever made," she said.

These communities are built around the idea that residents want to stay active and social, but knowing that they will have increased medical needs as they age.

In the case of University Village, residents pay an entrance fee that secures one of the 367 freestanding, condominium-style or apartment homes for the length of their stay. They pay a monthly fee based on the size of their homes that covers such things as utilities, housekeeping, security and maintenance, a meal a day and whatever level of care they need.

Whether you are healthy or in need of constant nursing care, the fee — which ranges from about $2,500 to $4,000 a month — stays the same. For some, it is an alternative to long-term care insurance, Spieker said.

The plan acts as a complement to regular health insurance. Residents are required to have Medicare coverage or an equivalent.

Skilled nursing offered

The health center opens in 2008. Initially, there won't be much demand from village residents because everybody comes in healthy and independent. The health center will offer skilled nursing and assisted-living services to the public at large for a market-rate fee.

Continuing Life Communities also has retirement communities in Carlsbad and Fullerton, and is developing a couple in the San Francisco Bay area.

"There aren't enough places like this," Judy Hillis said.

There are 79 licensed continuing care retirement homes in California, up from 77 last year.

Hillis liked the reassurance that she and her husband would always have the care they needed and still have access to everything in the Thousand Oaks area, where they have lived for 40 years. Jon, 75, is a retired physician and Judy, 68, still works managing the medical buildings adjacent to Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center.

They are moving to a three-bedroom "Garden Terrace" condominium-style home, where they'll have extra room for when the kids visit — and for a grand piano.

For those who want it, the village has guest houses available for visitors.

Spieker said the approach of a continuing care community appeals to today's seniors. Instead of their children making decisions for them later, they make their own decisions.

"They're coming in on their own terms and decide where to live," he said.

John Shields took a careful look at University Village when he first heard about it two years ago.

The retired CEO of Trader Joe’s, Shields assessed the move like a business deal. He called in his attorney to check out the company behind University Village.

"They are very qualified people. They knew what they were doing and kept every promise they made," Shields said. "I was very comfortable with hopefully moving in there."

Shields, who will turn 75 this month, moved into a condominium in Westlake Village after his wife died about three years ago. He said it’s a nice community with nice neighbors, but not very social.

"As a bachelor, you feel a little bit lonely," he said.

He’s moving to University Village for the social interaction that goes hand-in-hand with retirement communities with a lot to do. He said he’s looking forward to meeting new people, and maybe taking up a few games of bridge with new friends.

His son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren live in nearby Moorpark, making visits easy.

He also likes that it is close to anything he may need, such as the hospital, The Oaks mall and Trader Joe’s.

Shields also is moving to a Garden Terrace home, which is about 1,300 square feet with a sizable patio.

"The size fit me perfectly," he said.

Most people moving into these kinds of communities generally come from a 15-mile radius, Spieker said. But because it is the only continuing care facility between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, more residents are coming from a greater distance.

There aren’t any formal ties between CLU and University Village, but there are opportunities that cannot be overlooked, Spieker said.

Throughout the retirement community industry, there is a move to put communities near a school where students can work and volunteer in the community and residents can audit classes or volunteer at the college.

"The university is looking forward to when we have residents over in University Village," said Lynda Paige Fulford, a university spokeswoman. "We think it’s going to be mutually beneficial."

Residents have a lot to offer

She said CLU has cultural activities and classes to offer the residents, and residents have a lot to offer from their life experiences, maybe even picking up a class or two to teach.

Fulford said different uses were considered for the property, including a retirement home, another educational facility such as a high school or a medical research center. The university was pleased to see University Village go in, she said.

Shields is excited about the proximity to CLU. He’s a guest lecturer at Pepperdine University’s graduate school.

"I enjoy the academic life," he said.

Although he had heard about retirement communities, Shields said he never thought that he would move into one.

"That was the last thing in my assumptions of what I thought I’d do in my future," he said.

It’s now a step that he is looking forward to.

"At my stage in life, whether you’re married or not married, it’s a great place to meet new people," Shields said.

With so many different people with years of life experience behind them, there should be a wealth of interesting people to meet, Judy Hillis said.

"In your older years, it’s different than cocooning in your own house," Jon Hillis said. "It opens up a bunch of new things you can do."