City: Tucson, AZ

Category: Retirement

Telephone: (520) 299-1941

Address: 1550 E. River Rd.

Description: If villa living is your cup of tea, this community may be one to consider. In addition to studio, 1-, and 2-bedroom apartments in a 3-story building, Campana del Rio has 2-bedroom villas with 1 or 2 baths. The property has a total of 190 independent apartments, plus another 64 units for assisted-living and memory-impaired residents. Although the community is not gated, security is on duty 24 hours. Fine dining, complete with linens and flowers on the tables, is another hallmark of Campana del Rio, but they’re not too formal to refuse diners a doggie bag for the delicious leftovers. And a private dining room can be reserved by residents who want a special gathering of friends or family.Monthly rent includes breakfast and one main meal daily, weekly maid and linen service, free laundry facilities, scheduled van transportation, a pool, utilities, and access to scads of activities such as aqua therapy, billiards, excursions, and exercise equipment. Each apartment is equipped with emergency call buttons, and all the assisted-living units are wheelchair accessible with sit-in showers. The apartments and grounds are comfortable and clean, and the courtyard offers a tropical setting for walking, relaxing, or swimming in the pool. The minimum age is 55, monthly leases are required, and small pets are OK.Although Campana del Rio is in a scenic and convenient foothills area, it’s also a congested area for traffic—something to keep in mind if you drive a lot. But it’s also only about a furlong away from Rillito Downs if you’re a horse race aficionado. The property itself is set back off River Road and hugs the north side of the Rillito “River” (for an explanation of the quotation marks here, see the Natural World chapter).