Kendal at Oberlin Welcomes the Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education!
Back to Campus: College Town Retirement Living
From its very beginning, Kendal at Oberlin has enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with Oberlin College. Residents can audit classes at no cost with permission from the professor. They attend concerts and recitals at the Conservatory of Music, as well as lectures of all sorts. Conservatory students appreciate the opportunity to perform for a diverse and critical audience, and Kendal residents help create that opportunity.
Kendal came to Oberlin because college and community members approaching retirement knew that Oberlin had much to offer older adults. About 40% of residents have had some sort of connection to Oberlin College – as alumni, faculty, staff and family. Many others came because of the college connection and appealing campus vibe in a small, very walkable town. In fact, people have moved to Kendal at Oberlin from 37 states and the District of Columbia!
Through the pandemic, on-campus in-person activities at the college were limited. But we hope to return to campus soon. Typically, the calendar on the back of The Kendalight, the monthly newsletter of the Kendal at Oberlin Residents Association, has events where Oberlin College students and faculty are performing or presenting a lecture. And the Kendal bus will transport residents to several on-campus activities each month. So many opportunities exist for programming through the College. The Conservatory of Music alone offers over 500 performances (many are free of charge!) throughout the academic year. And it’s easy to walk or bike to campus (weather permitting) anytime you choose.
Students and professors have collaborated with Kendal at Oberlin on energy and environmental initiatives. Both organizations are committed to being good stewards of the environment.
The Kendal Corporation is known nationwide for having several communities developed in college or university towns. More and more, older adults are choosing a lifestyle that offers opportunities for lifelong learning and intergenerational engagement. Following are links to national media coverage of this trend in retirement living, both highlighting Kendal at Oberlin’s relationship to Oberlin College:
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Senior Planet from AARP Weighs in on Intergenerational Housing Options
July 2021 – Senior Plant from AARP wrote about the different types of intergenerational housing with people that are not family in Is Intergenerational Housing for You?, by Sharon McDonnell. A life plan community near university campuses, like Kendal at Oberlin, offer opportunities for residents to audit classes and enjoy concerts from Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College. Many residents are graduates or former faculty of Oberlin College. Other intergenerational opportunities include volunteering at the Kendal Early Learning Center, which is on the Kendal at Oberlin campus. Read the full article at Senior Planet to learn about the benefits and types of intergenerational housing.
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Kiplinger names Oberlin a “Smart Place to Retire.”
July 2019 – According to Kiplinger, “stellar health care options, affordable living and engaging community activities make this Ohio town a great choice for retirees.”