Testimonial 01

Why I am living in the right place

Having lived and worked in Tucson for 20 years, near the home of my daughter and son-in-law, it was time to move a bit farther away. Knowing that I was retired, I felt that they might begin to wonder "what will we do with her?", if and when they might wish to move on. I wanted us to remain good friends and yet have our own lives  with interesting people near-by. Where I lived it was beautiful, but there were no close neighbors. That was fine when I worked full time, but now it was time to find some kindred spirits within walking distance of wherever I landed, and to be within an hour's drive of my daughter's family.

The place I was looking for seemed non-existent--I didn't want golf and bingo, just fascinating people who, though retired, still were involved in the real world .

I first learned of Academy Village from a friend in California who had heard Dr. Koffler talk about his dream of a "different" retirement village. At that time the project was in the early planning stage. I attended a few get-togethers of others who liked Dr. K's ideas, and soon decided that this was for me.  I was one of the early residents--before the Community Center was built.  The few families already here soon became good friends, and those moving in later felt the same way about the place. We're an assortment of unique individuals--we don't fit any particular mold.  We enjoy each other's company and still manage to continue with our own pursuits. Mine happens to be importing Oaxacan folk art--a change from the judicial world .

Author : Frances Betteridge, former judge in Tucson.