Bea and Jim’s Active Living Villa

At Western Home Communities, “home” has never been a one-size-fits-all concept. For some, that means the freedom-forward rhythm of active living at the villas, where residents design their days with the same intention they bring to their spaces. For others, it means the comfort, connection and ease of independent living, where neighbors are close and life flows with a reassuring sense of belonging.

What sets these lifestyles apart is how residents choose to live. At the villas, residents enjoy the privacy and freedom of a maintenance-free home, with personalized finishes and the flexibility to shape each day around the pursuits and routines they value most. In independent living, residents enjoy the convenience of a thoughtfully designed community, where amenities, activities and opportunities for connection are woven into daily life. Across Western Home, the message is the same: your home should reflect the life you want to live.

Every room tells part of the Brumbaughs' story. A custom mural brings their living room to life. Treasured heirlooms fill the sunroom with memories, while Jim's office reflects his 22-year Air Force career and passion for woodworking.

“We needed to be in a place where we could make decisions rather than have someone else control it,” Bea shared.

“My only regret is that we didn’t do this two years earlier,” Jim added.

For Bea, who has built six homes, style isn't superficial. It's identity, comfort and self-expression. She customized everything from cabinetry to pantry placement to the mural that now anchors their living space. “I wanted clean lines. I love maple. I wanted the sun exposure just right,” she said.

Her design philosophy is simple: Use every space. Make it beautiful. Make it yours.

Jim’s joy comes from a different kind of creativity: woodworking. The villa provides him the space, time and freedom to return to a craft he once taught before serving over 20 years in the Air Force.

The Brumbaughs gained a community that feels like a neighborhood. “I’m invited to a lot of functions. There’s always something going on,” Bea said. “The dining here is some of the finest in Cedar Falls.”

Neighbors gather in driveways during the summer and indoors during the winter, creating friendships that form naturally and quickly.

Their move wasn’t easy emotionally, but it was right. “Too many people wait too long,” Bea reflected. “Then they’re unable to do it.”

Jim added, “We just want to be comfortable ... and we are.”