Moving to Masonic Village at Elizabethtown: Lancaster County’s Premier Large-Scale CCRC
For Philadelphia-area retirees seeking the most expansive, estate-like senior community in Lancaster County, Masonic Village at Elizabethtown offers an unparalleled experience. Operating on 1,400+ acres with an active working farm, comprehensive healthcare facilities, and amenities rivaling luxury resort destinations, Masonic Village represents the gold standard in large-scale continuing care retirement communities.
Masonic Village: The Gold Standard in Scale & Scope
While Willow Valley and Garden Spot excel in smaller, curated community experiences, Masonic Village embraces grand scale. The village operates as a nearly self-contained ecosystem-residents farm, garden, pursue hobbies, access healthcare, dine elegantly, and engage in programming entirely within the 1,400-acre campus.
For affluent retirees seeking complete independence from managing external logistics, this all-encompassing environment offers remarkable appeal.
Essential Numbers: Masonic Village at Elizabethtown
- Total Residents: 1,800+ across all care levels
- Independent Living: 900+ residences (largest in Lancaster County)
- Assisted Living: 400+ private suites
- Skilled Nursing: 350+ licensed beds
- Memory Care: 150+ specialized beds
- Campus Size: 1,400+ acres (largest in Lancaster County)
- Working Farm: 350+ acres under cultivation and animal husbandry
- Average Entry Fee: $150,000-$500,000 (varies significantly by floor plan)
- Monthly Service Fees: $4,800-$8,200 for independent living
- Accreditations: CARF, Pennsylvania Department of Health, Joint Commission accredited
The Campus Experience: Estate Living at Scale
Architectural Diversity
Unlike cookie-cutter retirement communities, Masonic Village features architecturally diverse residential neighborhoods:
- Manor Homes: Large single-family residences (2,500-3,500 sq ft) for residents seeking traditional home living
- Cottages: Charming standalone homes (1,800-2,300 sq ft) scattered throughout campus
- Apartments: Mixed-density buildings with studio through 3-bedroom units
- High-Rise Towers: Contemporary apartments with panoramic campus views
This architectural diversity enables residents to select housing matching their specific preferences and lifestyle aspirations rather than fitting into standardized community types.
Neighborhood Organization
Rather than treating 1,400 acres as undifferentiated space, Masonic Village organizes neighborhoods with distinct characters:
- Heritage Neighborhoods: Traditional village-scale communities with sidewalks and commons
- Garden Neighborhoods: Cottage-focused areas with horticultural emphasis
- Manor Communities: Estate-scale homes for residents desiring traditional living
- Lake Neighborhoods: Waterfront locations with premium amenity access
This neighborhood stratification allows residents to select communities aligning with preferred lifestyle.
The Working Farm: A Distinctive Feature
Agricultural Operations
Masonic Village’s 350-acre working farm represents a distinctive advantage among Lancaster County CCRCs:
- Crop Production: Seasonal vegetable, grain, and hay production
- Animal Husbandry: Cattle, poultry, and other livestock operations
- On-Campus Produce: Farm-to-table dining programs using community-grown vegetables
- Therapeutic Gardening: Residents participate in horticultural programming
- Educational Programming: Farm tours, seasonal harvest activities, agricultural education
Resident Engagement with Farm
Unlike typical communities where farming is background operation, Masonic Village enables active resident participation:
- Community Garden Plots: Residents maintain personal gardens
- Farmers Market: Weekly on-campus market featuring farm produce
- Harvest Programs: Seasonal activities (apple picking, pumpkin harvest, etc.)
- Farm Volunteer Opportunities: Residents assist with harvest, maintenance, animal care
- Educational Workshops: Gardening, sustainable agriculture, food preservation classes
This active farm integration is genuinely unusual and creates distinctive lifestyle character.
Dining Excellence: From Farm to Table
Farm-to-Table Philosophy
Masonic Village’s dining program directly benefits from on-campus farm production:
- Seven Dining Venues: Ranging from casual cafe to fine dining
- Seasonal Menus: Emphasizing fresh, locally-grown (own farm) ingredients
- Nutritional Excellence: Therapeutic diets for residents with healthcare needs
- Resident Participation: Cooking demonstrations, farm-to-table education
- Special Events: Seasonal celebrations featuring farm harvest themes
The quality and freshness of vegetables available from on-campus farming genuinely impacts meal quality compared to communities dependent on external food supply.
Healthcare Facilities: Comprehensive & Integrated
Care Continuum
Masonic Village operates the most comprehensive healthcare infrastructure of any Lancaster County CCRC:
- Assisted Living (400+ suites): 24/7 personal care with therapeutic services
- Skilled Nursing (350+ beds): Post-acute rehabilitation and chronic care
- Memory Care (150+ beds): Specialized dementia program with therapeutic design
- Rehabilitation Services: Physical, occupational, speech therapy
- On-Campus Medical Center: 24-hour nursing, physician services, diagnostics
- Specialty Services: Wound care, IV therapy, respiratory services
Healthcare Staffing & Services
- Full-time Medical Director with internal medicine expertise
- Multiple attending physicians and nurse practitioners
- Pharmacy services with medication management
- Dental services (some communities include preventive care)
- Ophthalmology and audiology services
- Mental health and counseling services
- Hospice and palliative care programs
Amenities & Programming: Resort-Scale Offerings
Physical Amenities
- Fitness Complex: Cardio, strength, aquatic center with therapeutic pools
- Golf Course: 9-hole course on grounds (unique among Lancaster CCRCs)
- Bowling Alley: On-campus recreation
- Library & Media Center: Extensive holdings, technology access
- Art Studios: Multiple spaces for painting, sculpture, crafts
- Woodworking Shop: Professional-quality workshop space
- Music Room: Piano, acoustic spaces for performances
- Hiking Trails: Miles of maintained pathways throughout campus
- Lakes & Waterfront: Fishing, boating (kayak/canoe) opportunities
Programming: 300+ Annual Activities
- Educational Programs: Lectures, workshops, classes on diverse topics
- Performing Arts: Concerts, theater productions, resident performances
- Arts & Crafts: Painting, sculpture, woodworking, textile arts
- Recreation: Golf, bowling, game clubs, card games
- Wellness: Fitness classes, yoga, tai chi, meditation programs
- Spiritual Life: Interfaith services, chaplaincy, pastoral care
- Volunteer Opportunities: Extensive community service options
- Travel Programs: Organized excursions and trips
Resident Profile: Affluent, Accomplished, Active
Masonic Village attracts residents similar to Willow Valley and Garden Spot-accomplished professionals, business leaders, and intellectuals-but with additional preference for:
- Large-scale campus environment and comprehensive self-containment
- Active participation in hobbies and recreation (golf, gardening, arts)
- Working farm appeal and horticultural engagement
- Maximum amenity breadth and activity offerings
- Estate-scale living (manor homes) rather than apartments
The resident population tends to be highly engaged in community governance, program leadership, and volunteer activities.
Financial Considerations
Entry & Monthly Costs
Pricing varies significantly based on residence type:
- Manor Homes: $300,000-$500,000 entry, $6,500-$8,200/month
- Cottages: $175,000-$350,000 entry, $4,800-$7,200/month
- Apartments: $125,000-$300,000 entry, $4,200-$6,500/month
Typical Scenario: Manor Home Selection
- Estate Sale Proceeds: $2.8M
- Masonic Village Manor Entry: $400,000
- Monthly Fee: $7,200
- Remaining Capital: $2.4M
- Advantage: Estate-scale living with comprehensive healthcare and amenities
Comparing Masonic Village to Other Premier CCRCs
| Factor | Masonic Village | Willow Valley | Garden Spot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campus Size | 1,400+ acres (largest) | 372 acres | 200 acres |
| Independent Living | 900+ (largest) | 1,200+ (most units) | 700+ (selective) |
| Housing Options | Manor homes, cottages, apartments | Apartments, cottages | Premium apartments |
| Unique Features | Working farm, golf course | Comprehensive amenities | Fine dining, cultural |
| Programming | 300+ activities annually | 280+ activities | Curated quality |
| Farm-to-Table Dining | Yes (owned farm) | High quality, external sourcing | Premium sourcing |
| Recreational Focus | Highest (golf, farm, arts) | Balanced lifestyle | Cultural emphasis |
Who Should Choose Masonic Village?
Ideal Fit:
- Active retirees in excellent health seeking 20+ year community
- Those desiring estate-scale living (manor homes)
- Residents with strong hobby interests (golf, gardening, arts, crafts)
- Those attracted to working farm and agricultural engagement
- Affluent buyers seeking maximum amenity breadth
- Residents wanting self-contained community environment
- Community leaders interested in governance participation
Consider Alternative CCRCs If:
- You prefer smaller, more intimate communities
- You prioritize cultural programming over recreational activities
- You want healthcare focus (Landis) over lifestyle amenities
- You’re less interested in hobbies and community involvement
The Masonic Village Lifestyle
Moving to Masonic Village is fundamentally about embracing an engaged, active retirement within a self-contained community. Residents often describe their experience as similar to living on an upscale country club or university campus-comprehensive amenities, intellectual engagement, recreational opportunities, and community leadership experiences.
For highly accomplished individuals accustomed to managing large organizations or complex responsibilities, Masonic Village provides opportunities for continued engagement and contribution.
Your Move to Masonic Village
At LiteMovers, we’ve coordinated multiple moves to large-scale CCRC communities. The transition to Masonic Village typically involves:
- Selecting from multiple housing types (manor, cottage, apartment)
- Significant estate downsizing from large Main Line homes
- Thoughtful furniture and art curation
- Estate sale coordination for items not selected
- Professional unpacking and arrangement services
Our senior moving services ensure this major transition is handled professionally and respectfully.
Schedule Your Free Consultation | Call us: (610) 555-0123
Masonic Village at Elizabethtown: Lancaster County’s Largest CCRC
For Philadelphia retirees seeking the most expansive, amenity-rich senior community in Lancaster County-with distinctive features like a working farm and golf course-Masonic Village delivers unmatched scale and sophistication. Let LiteMovers help you make this important transition seamlessly.
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