The next time you stroll through our sprawling 200-acre campus, there’s a good chance you’ll run into John and Kathy Bondur or Darrell and Karen Lane. And like everyone in our active central Florida senior living community, these warm, energetic folks have fascinating stories to share.
John and Kathy had spent their earlier retirement years creating and running a bed and breakfast on Martha’s Vineyard, while Darrell and Karen had already completed one round of downsizing and were living in Winter Springs. Now that their paths have converged at John Knox Village, we invited them to chat about why they were so inspired to join our Orange City, Florida family.
Two Separate Journeys, One Ideal Retirement Destination
Before beginning their next chapter at our vibrant Life Plan Community, John and Kathy were living in another retirement community. But it wasn’t quite the right fit. “The ‘vibe’ of our previous community wasn’t very positive,” Kathy, a retired real estate agent, explains. “We also wanted to move to a place that offered stand-alone houses, not just apartments.”
John, a retired corporate executive officer and private equity partner, agrees, adding that the senior living homes at John Knox Village had just what they were looking for. “As soon as we saw the home, we said, ‘This is it!’ And best of all, it was ready to move into—which we did in about three weeks.”
As for Darrell and Karen, they knew from experience how hard it is to care for an aging parent and wanted to spare their children that angst. “Both of our mothers lived with us for a time and it was a real challenge,” Karen explains. “We didn’t want that for our kids, so we started looking into continuing care retirement communities about five years ago.”
So, what first attracted the Lanes to John Knox Village? Darrell explains: “One of our friends, who is also a real estate agent, suggested that we take a look, and when we did it was like it was meant to be—particularly the homes. We could easily picture our furniture and decorations fitting like pieces in a puzzle. Even better, we could move in right away.”
Transforming a House Into a Home Base for Daily Pursuits
John Knox Village has a generous array of floor plans, ranging from contemporary apartments to spacious villa homes. Some are even move-in ready! They’re all designed to inspire you to create a genuinely unique living space where you can live out your greatest potential.
After their experience with a previous retirement community, John and Kathy wanted a home that didn’t make them feel “boxed in.” They found their dream home in our three-bedroom Valencia villa. “I like to have my space and Kathy likes to have hers,” John explains. “With a three-bedroom home, we can each have our own office, so we don’t get in each other’s way.”
John and Kathy’s home also has plenty of spaces to enjoy “together time,” and one of Kathy’s favorite rooms is the kitchen. “We don’t cook as much as we used to because the restaurants here are so good,” she says. “But we do spend lots of time ‘hanging out’ in our kitchen. Our sun porch is light and airy, too, so we turned it into a year-round TV room.”
Like the Bondurs, Darrell and Karen were impressed with the three-bedroom Valencia option, but since storage space was a must-have, they chose a two-bedroom Valencia villa. “Our daughter pointed out that the two-bedroom option had amazing closets,” Karen says. “There are tons of shelves, so keeping things organized is easy. Even the laundry room has more than enough space.
“It was also great that I could convert our sunroom into an office, because I’m a retired CFO and lots of family members ask me to prepare their tax returns. But this year, our son gave me a break and prepared his own,” she laughs.
Pursuing Their Passions, Using Their Skills
Both the Lanes and the Bondurs have transformed their move-in-ready villas into the retirement homes they’ve always dreamed of. But that doesn’t mean they spend every waking moment there. And since they no longer have to worry about yardwork and maintenance chores—even down to changing a lightbulb—both couples are free to relish everything that makes life grand.
Not surprisingly, Karen and Darrell have filled their social calendar with the abundant social activities available to residents of our Orange City retirement community. Karen is a member of the finance committee, while Darrell serves on the portal committee, so they’re putting their expertise to great use. They’re also big fans of our live jazz performances, which bring the world’s most swinging music to our Lester R. Barker Auditorium. “It’s easy to find something you love,” Karen says, “and we’re so glad we moved in while we’re still young enough to enjoy it all.”
Darrell, a retired software engineer, notes that he’s very popular with his neighbors because he can help them program their TV sets and troubleshoot computer glitches. He also likes to throw in a joke or two when he makes a house call. “Technology always fails us and folks need a good laugh,” he says.
For their part, the Bondurs love our eclectic dining choices, ranging from casual to elegant. “We’re well satisfied and well fed,” Kathy laughs. “I love how we can delight in a delicious dinner anytime, without reservations or the need for formal attire. And you won’t find a better pizza than the pies that come out of the oven at the Bistro.”
John and Kathy love the spirit of volunteerism that pervades John Knox Village and look forward to investing their time and energy volunteering each week. John is a candidate to serve on the Residents’ Council that works to make our community the best it can be through its committees. And Kathy, a Florida-certified master gardener, is eager to leave her mark on our resident-tended flower and vegetable gardens.
The Lanes also appreciate how they can pursue these interests without worry, thanks in large part to our talented staff members committed to providing top-tier service. “From fitness instructors to chefs to maintenance folks, everyone has an attitude of ‘we are here to serve you’,” Kathy explains.
She’s also impressed with the continuum of outstanding on-campus care that’s one of the hallmarks of John Knox Village. No surprise there, since our skilled nursing care was ranked #1 in Florida by Newsweek in 2024. “It’s great to know that we’ll never have to relocate if our healthcare needs change down the road.”
“All we have to do is enjoy the ride.”
Thinking About Downsizing? We’ll Help You Find Your Perfect Fit
The move-in-ready, maintenance-free apartments, cottages and villas at John Knox Village of Central Florida are waiting to be filled with laughter, love and memories you’ll treasure. Just be sure to pack your enthusiasm and your sense of adventure. To learn more or to schedule a tour of our sought-after community, call (386) 775-0788.