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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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."

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.

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.

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