“Everyone Thought We Were Too Young.” We Knew It Was the Right Time.
When Bill and Gail Berghoff decided to reserve a home at The Arlington of Naples in their early 70’s, many people questioned their decision.
After all, the Life Plan Community hadn’t even opened yet.
Construction was not yet underway.
They were healthy, active, independent and enjoying life.
To many of their friends, moving to a senior living community seemed premature.
Today, more than ten years later, they know they made the right decision, not because they needed healthcare, but because they wanted to continue living as active older adults while planning wisely for the future.
Taking a Leap of Faith
Choosing a Life Plan Community is a significant decision. Choosing one before it’s even built requires an even greater leap of faith.
Before making their decision, Bill and Gail toured senior living communities throughout the area, searching for a place that matched their lifestyle and vision for the future. What ultimately set The Arlington of Naples apart wasn’t just its location or amenities, it was the opportunity to remain independent in an estate home while becoming part of a vibrant community.
“The Arlington appealed to us because they had individual homes and we were not ready to go into apartment life,” Gail says. “We’ve been in our home now for 10 years.”
For Bill, the estate homes made the transition feel natural.
“It was a good transition from a big house in California,” he says. “You have a turnkey operation where they take care of everything and still have access to everything going on in the main community.”
Looking back, Bill and Gail realized the biggest leap of faith wasn’t moving into a new home—it was believing they could build a fulfilling life in a community that had yet to open its doors.
Before the Doors Opened, Friendships Had Already Begun
One of the things Bill remembers most wasn’t construction, it was connection.
Long before residents ever unpacked their moving boxes, future neighbors were gathering for dinners and social events hosted by the sales team.
By opening day, they already knew dozens of people.
Those early friendships became the foundation for a culture that still defines The Arlington today.
Gail says that welcoming spirit never disappeared.
“It’s a very warm, very inviting culture,” she says. “It’s easy for new people to move into this culture because there is that framework.”
That sense of belonging has only grown stronger.
“We enjoy the pub because it’s always the same people and we have a lot of friends,” Gail says. “It’s fun.”
Friendship That Feels Like Family
For Bill and Gail, community isn’t simply a word used in a brochure.
It’s something they’ve watched unfold every day.
Bill shares the story of several women on their street who bonded over a relatively short period of time.
“They now have Saturday night dinner. They’ve got their own bocce ball team,” Bill says. “It’s that type of social awareness that makes The Arlington so attractive. It’s just a very giving community.”
It’s why Gail says new residents rarely stay strangers for long.
“A new couple walks in, they’re immediately welcome,” she says. “People move chairs and pull them up to the tables. I don’t think anyone ever doesn’t feel welcome.”
Over time, neighbors become dinner companions.
Dinner companions become close friends.
And close friends become family.
Retirement Didn’t End Bill’s Purpose—It Redirected It
Before moving to The Arlington, Bill devoted countless hours to organizations like Habitat for Humanity and Centers for Learning, an educational program supporting underserved children.
Retirement didn’t diminish that sense of purpose.
It simply gave him a new place to invest it.
One of his earliest projects was helping establish The Arlington’s Resident Council from the ground up.
He recruited fellow residents and together they drafted bylaws that created a system that still gives residents a meaningful voice today.
Today, he continues serving on multiple committees, including the Financial Advisory Group and Marketing Committee, working closely with leadership to strengthen the community for current and future residents.
His passion for giving back extends beyond The Arlington’s gates.
Bill continues advocating for partnerships with nearby schools, believing residents have tremendous experience, wisdom and compassion to share with younger generations.
Purpose, he believes, doesn’t retire.
It evolves.
The Best Time to Move Is Before You Need To
After more than a decade at The Arlington, Bill often finds himself talking with prospective residents.
His advice surprises some people.
It’s not about amenities.
It’s not about healthcare.
It’s about timing.
“Point number one: don’t wait too long,” Bill says. “Whether you like it or not, you’re going to age and if you wait too long, your choices diminish and the potential that someone will have to make decisions for you is likely.”
For Bill and Gail, choosing The Arlington before they needed it wasn’t about planning for the end of life.
It was about making the most of the years ahead.
Looking back, they don’t remember taking a risk.
They remember gaining a community.
They remember finding purpose.
Most of all, they remember discovering something every person hopes to find—a place where neighbors become lifelong friends and friendship feels like family.
As Bill puts it best:
“Gail and I both view it very much as a blessing at this stage in our life. It just has worked out very well for us.”
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If you’re exploring independent living in Naples, Florida, or considering whether a Life Plan Community is the right fit for your future, Bill and Gail encourage you to see The Arlington for yourself. Walk the campus. Meet the residents. Experience the welcoming culture that can’t be captured in a brochure or on a website. And if you’re fortunate enough to cross paths with Bill and Gail, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself. As founding residents, they’re always happy to share their story, answer your questions, and offer an honest perspective on what life is really like at The Arlington. Schedule your personal visit today—you just might discover, as they did, that the best time to make your move is before you think you need to.
