Barb and Tom Poston aren’t newcomers to retirement living. They’ve lived in a patio home in Louisville and a condominium in Florida, but they say their two-bedroom duplex home at Mason Christian Village, 411 Western Row Road, Mason, has been the best.

“We love our home,” says Barb. “Since we downsized, this is the best of all worlds.”

Adds Tom, a retired Air Force veteran, “The residents and staff are fantastic. You couldn’t ask for nicer people.”

The Postons moved from Louisville last year to be closer to one of their sons and grandchildren in West Chester. They live in one of the 191 independent living single-family and duplex units, spread over 75 acres at Mason Christian Village, just west of Mason-Montgomery Road.

A continuing care community of about 450 residents, Mason Christian Village, this year’s Best of the North winner for best nursing community, offers the full spectrum of living arrangements and amenities: independent living, assisted living and nursing care (both short and long-term) and memory care, if needed.

“The concept is people can move in independently and, if they need more care down the road, we have everything right here,” says Lizz Stephens, marketing director.

This year, Stephens said the community will break ground for a new rehabilitation wing, adding about 11 nursing beds for residents of the community who need short-term rehabilitation care.

A faith-based nonprofit community, Mason Christian Village was opened in 1985 by the Christian Benevolent Association established by the Christian Churches and the Churches of Christ. Its sister facility is Mt. Healthy Christian Village, off Hamilton Avenue in Mt. Healthy.

One of Mason Christian Village’s advantages is space. A focal point of the community is a 2.5-acre lake surrounded by manicured lawns and extensive walking paths.

All independent living homes (there are several floor plans) include a four-season solarium and attached garage. Another feature is the ability of new residents to customize their home with a choice of paint, floor coverings and new appliances before they move in, she says.

The Postons took advantage of that, removing the French doors to their solarium to create even more room in the open-plan home.

There are 77 additional garden apartments in the main building. All homes and apartments are on ground level, so climbing stairs isn’t an issue.

A wide variety of community amenities are also available. Among them: a beauty salon, a dining room for chef-prepared meals as well as the Kraemer Kaffe that’s open all day for a quick snack, a bank, available transportation, a chapel, a fitness center, a library with Wi-Fi and computer access, rehabilitation and therapy services, a gardening area, and a woodworking shop.

Stephens says another feature is easy access to the amenities in the surrounding Mason community, rated as one of the nation’s best. There’s shopping and entertainment along Mason-Montgomery Road, the Mason Community Center is nearby and the new West Chester Hospital is also close.

Residents can take advantage of a regular schedule of activities as well. “If you did everything, you’d never be home,” says Barb.