Wind Crest is built by Erickson (they have communities in ten states) and employs a somewhat unusual approach to paying for retirement living.  A sizeable entrance deposit, which is 100% refundable to each resident or to his or her estate, is required and ranges from $174,000 for a large one bedroom, one bath apartment with a kitchen, a bay window and a large walk-in closet to $516,000 for a luxurious, two bedroom, two bath unit with a nice kitchen, sunroom, patio and den.  The community is targeting middle-income seniors who currently have a home to sell and who can use the proceeds for the entrance deposit.  

This deposit is then used by Wind Crest to build each resident's apartment unit so that the community does not become overbuilt or take on excessive mortgage debt (this pay-to-build concept will change in years to come as residents leave the development and their apartments are re-sold).  It is important to remember that the entrance deposit does not give residents ownership of their apartments; instead, it gives them leasing rights, and they or their heirs will receive 100% of the deposit back upon leaving the community.  Currently, 147 apartments are under construction.

On top of the entrance fee is one monthly service package fee, which ranges from a relatively low $1,530 to $2,176 per person.  These price differences correspond with the type of unit leased, but one bedroom unit service packages generally run $1,530 to $1,570.  Two bedroom unit service packages are $1,770 to $1,981 and the luxury, two bedroom unit service packages run $2,018 to $2,176.   Generally, these monthly fees are less than at other similar developments, thanks to entrance fees paying for much of the development's construction.  This financial structure is the cornerstone of this builder's business model, and monthly fee increases have been fairly stable for the past 20 years.  There are no association fees or assessments.  Call 303-798-3100 for information.

Residents of Wind Crest enjoy the benefits of a new home but without having to worry about paying property taxes, reselling their home or maintaining it.  All of these services are included in the monthly fee.  Also included are all utilities, cable TV, landscaping, snow removal, one meal a day, apartment maintenance and repair, appliance upkeep, a swimming pool, an arts studio, gardening areas, a computer lab, a library, a salon, 24 hour security (also trained as first responders), an emergency call system in each unit, prescription delivery and access to a registered dietician.  On campus are also a restaurant, a market, a bank and a putting green, all housed in a 52,000 square foot Town Center Clubhouse.   Private housekeeping, catering and some other services are available at reasonable rates.

Another benefit of Wind Crest is the integrated health system (also included in the monthly fee and named Erickson Health) that provides an on-site, fulltime, primary-care doctor (who only sees  two patients an hour) and a state-of-the-art medical center (open 24/7) with each resident's computerized medical records.   Wellness classes and an on-campus fitness center are also a part of this health program.  Erickson works to help older adults maintain independence and sees only 1.3% of its residents move into assisted living each year.   For those who will need this kind of service down the road, the community's master plan includes Renaissance Gardens, an assisted-living facility to be built on campus.  And if residents outlive their retirement funds, a frightening thought for anyone, Wind Crest will not evict them.  This is put in writing when a senior becomes a member of the community.

Wind Crest is located in Highlands Ranch, a suburb of Denver.  With this metropolitan area being home to a million or more people, nearly every service and amenity imaginable are available nearby.   The mountains are beautiful, and the weather is seasonable.  The sun shines nearly 300 days a year, and there is very little humidity.  The elevation is 5,280 feet (one mile above sea level).