Residents Share Why Friendship Village of Bloomington Has Ranked Newsweek’s Top 10 in America Three Years Running
For the third year in a row, Friendship Village has earned a place among Newsweek’s Top 10 Best Independent Living Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) in America. The honor speaks to the excellence of its state-of-the-art facilities and the thoughtful intention behind every detail of the campus.
But what truly defines Friendship Village isn’t just what you see, it’s the community you feel. As residents Pam and Linda Tibbetts-Ellwein put it, “It truly is a village.”
A Lifestyle Designed for Independence and Peace of Mind
Today, many older adults are choosing CCRCs—also known as Life Care Communities—for the independence they offer and the long-term peace of mind they provide.
At Friendship Village, those benefits are only the beginning. From the gentle warmth that greets you at the door to the effortless sense of belonging that follows, the campus feels less like a retirement community and more like a close-knit neighborhood where people genuinely know and care for one another.
“People go out of their way to make you feel welcome,” Linda says. “The staff are a big part of that, too. They’re terrific at making you feel like family.”
A Community Full of Energy and Opportunity
That spirit of welcome extends into the rhythm of daily life.
Between fitness classes, lectures on current events and brain health programs, residents shape their days around what energizes them most. Participation is always a choice, yet the energy of the community makes involvement feel natural.
Pam still smiles when she recalls something she was told shortly after moving in.
“You have to hire someone to take your nap,” she laughs.
The joke captures something real about life at Friendship Village. The days are full, not with obligation, but with choice and possibility. Pam and Linda both shared that this season of life living at Friendship Village feels more active and intentional, guided by opportunities to stay curious, strengthen the body and deepen connections.
Friendships That Extend Beyond the Campus
For nearly two decades, Pam and Linda have spent the winter Minnesota months in Albuquerque for a reprieve from the cold.
This year, however, as they settled into their winter routine in sunny Albuquerque, they found themselves missing the community at Friendship Village. They are now considering shortening their time away next year so they can return sooner.
For a community to be missed even during a warm winter escape says something profound. It speaks to a place that offers connection and purpose — something deeply meaningful in these precious years of aging.
A Community That Continues to Grow
For residents Betsy Packard and Janet Hunt, that same sense of community and connection has shaped their experience in equally meaningful ways.
Though Betsy and Janet have been friends since high school, it was at Friendship Village where their circle grew. They became fast friends with Pam and Linda and are now preparing to fly to Albuquerque to spend a few days in the sunshine together — a getaway born from friendships formed right here in this community.
When asked what truly makes the community worthy of national recognition, Janet answers without hesitation:
“The community of people here.”
What Makes Friendship Village Special
Betsy agrees, describing Friendship Village as a high-caliber community of residents and staff who genuinely care about one another.
She speaks of the beauty of the campus, the fitness center and pool, the concerts that fill the evenings and the dining experiences that bring residents together around the table.
Just as important to her is the way leadership works closely with residents to continue thoughtfully evolving the campus experience. Residents are regularly invited to share their perspectives and input.
“It truly feels like we are working with leadership to continue making Friendship Village better every day.”
A Village in the Truest Sense
Awards offer a moment to pause and recognize the work that has gone into building something special.
For more than four decades, Friendship Village has been shaping something more than just an independent living community. It’s been shaping a place for individuals to live with peace, intention and a sense of purpose.
It is a village in the truest sense of the word.
And that’s the Friendship Village of Bloomington difference.
