Enso Village

Pros

• Enso Village is described as a unique Zen & Quaker-inspired senior village.
• The staff, including concierges, servers, and valets, are praised for solving problems and for their friendly service.
• Ann Nakiyuka is portrayed as a very good leader who is consistently on top of everything and genuinely cares for residents.
• The Enso Village team is deemed amazing, with special appreciation for Ann and her hard work.
• The vegetable garden is excellent, and the overall amenities are highly regarded.
• The community is described as friendly, kind, and interesting, with top-notch facilities, wonderful and healthy food, and a beloved pool.
• Karen is noted for being helpful, patient, thorough, and professional, providing excellent tours and service.
• Enso Village is presented as a new model for lifestyle-conscious living, featuring resident-created activities, beautiful amenities, minimalist design, and opportunities for self-expression through artwork.

Cons

• The level of knowledge and service in independent living is shockingly low.
• There is a clueless administrator who sends residents to yet another administrator.
• Staff turnover is high and does not seem to be improving.

Review

Enso Village presents itself as a senior living community built around a Zen and Quaker-inspired ethos, a place that aims to blend mindful living with senior independence and a rich schedule of activities. On entering, many residents and visitors describe it as a welcome departure from the ordinary, a space that feels thoughtful, pared down to essentials, and focused on personal expression and community. The model seems to invite residents to contribute to the culture - whether through talks, shared hobbies, or the simple act of displaying artwork outside their doors - creating a sense of ownership and creativity in the living experience.

Several reviews center on the profound personal impact of moving there. One reviewer describes Enso Village as a life-changing decision in a positive way, noting that the people are friendly, kind, and endlessly interesting. The food is highlighted as wonderful and healthy, and the amenities are praised, with the pool standing out as a beloved feature. The community also receives high marks for the opportunities it provides to learn - from fellow residents as well as visiting speakers who give talks weekly - adding intellectual and cultural depth to daily life. In particular, the leadership and day-to-day attentiveness of Ann Nakiyuka, the RCFE Administrator, are repeatedly celebrated. She is portrayed as a strong, heart-focused leader who keeps things on track and ensures residents are cared for, to the point where one reviewer says they would give her ten stars if they could. The Enso Village team is described as amazing, with sincere gratitude extended to Ann for her hard work and dedication.

Front-line staff, especially those in helping roles, also receive warm praise. A reviewer specifically notes Karen at the front desk as helpful, friendly, professional, and consistently smiling, representing the establishment well. Karen is remembered for her thorough, personable tour and for making a strong positive first impression, even when deposits were not yet being accepted. Other residents echo this sentiment, emphasizing that staff - concierges, servers, and valets - often go out of their way to solve problems rather than simply directing residents to administrative channels. In short, there is a core appreciation for the warmth and competence of several key team members who keep daily life running smoothly.

The community is celebrated for its design and environment as well. Several posts describe Enso Village as a "new model for lifestyle-conscious living," combining minimalist aesthetics with rich opportunities for personal expression. The architecture and interior design are praised for enabling residents to display their artwork on the walls outside their rooms, a small gesture with big emotional resonance. The on-site culinary program is connected to the surroundings, with a chef selecting ingredients from large organic gardens that can be viewed from balconies, linking nutrition, sustainability, and beauty. Practical conveniences are also highlighted: ample space for cars, with staff who will bring a vehicle to the front door when residents are ready to go out, enhancing the sense of ease and independence.

Nature and location add to the appeal for many. A number of reviewers mention the excellent vegetable garden and the beauty of the setting in the heart of wine country, underscoring not only the aesthetic appeal but also the tangible benefits of fresh, garden-sourced ingredients and outdoor spaces. The combination of a serene environment, accessible amenities, and a vibrant community of residents creates a powerful impression of a place that supports both wellness and social connection.

Nevertheless, not every experience at Enso Village is without caveats. One reviewer expresses a sharp disappointment with the level of knowledge and service for independent living, especially given the price point. They suggest that turnover is a contributing factor to inconsistent service and knowledge and note that improvements seem slow. While this reviewer remains grateful to the staff who do help - especially the concierges, servers, and valets who solve problems - the overall sentiment is that administrative support and continuity could be stronger. The review implies a tension between the high potential of Enso Village's philosophy and model and the reality of it not always meeting expectations in administration and long-term operational stability.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints Enso Village as a place with exceptional strengths and a few notable gaps. The strengths lie in its thoughtful, purpose-driven approach to senior living, the warmth and competence of key staff like Ann and Karen, the strong sense of community, the engaging programming, the vitality of the gardens and culinary program, and the serene, aesthetically pleasing environment. The areas for growth center on consistency in independent living administration and the challenges that come with turnover, which some residents feel impact overall knowledge, responsiveness, and reliability. For potential residents drawn to a mindful, community-centered lifestyle in a beautiful setting, Enso Village offers a compelling blend of culture, comfort, and care, with clear ambassadors in its leadership and front-line team, alongside a cautionary note about administrative stability and ongoing service consistency.

Healdsburg, California offers a serene and vibrant environment for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful community. With numerous parks such as the Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve and Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. The area also boasts a variety of restaurants ranging from Hazel Hill to upscale options like SingleThread Farm Restaurant, ensuring a diverse culinary experience. In terms of healthcare, there are several physician offices and hospitals nearby, providing convenient access to medical services. Additionally, pharmacies and places of worship are within close proximity, adding to the convenience of daily living. The transportation options include an airport and jet centers for easy travel access. Overall, Healdsburg offers a well-rounded lifestyle for seniors seeking comfort, convenience, and a sense of community in their golden years.

Parks

• Healdsburg Ridge Open Space Preserve (0.5 miles)
• Badger Dog Park (2.5 miles)
• Keiser Community Park (7.2 miles)
• Lake Sonoma Playground (8.5 miles)
• Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve (10.6 miles)
• Safari West Wildlife Preserve & African Tent Camp (11.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Hazel Hill (0.8 miles)
• Manzanita Creek Winery (1 miles)
• Buona Vita Cellars (1.1 miles)
• Ridge Vineyards (1.3 miles)
• Jordan Vineyard & Winery (1.7 miles)
• Bravas (2.2 miles)
• SingleThread Farm Restaurant (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Healdsburg Primary Care (1.2 miles)
• Veletto Tony D MD - Healdsburg Physician Group (1.2 miles)
• Alliance Medical Center (1.2 miles)
• Healdsburg District Hospital Rehab (1.2 miles)
• Redwood Regional Medical Group (1.2 miles)
• Dr Marsden Pediatrics (1.3 miles)
• Andolsen, Richard Dr - Andolsen, Richard J, Office (1.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Healdsburg District Hospital (1.2 miles)
• Healthcare Foundation (1.4 miles)
• Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (12.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Animal Pharm Services (1.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (7.4 miles)
• Forestville Pharmacy (11.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (12.4 miles)
• Cloverdale Pharmacy (12.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1.7 miles)
• Alexander Valley Christian Fellowship (3.3 miles)
• The Bridge Foursquare Church (12.2 miles)

Cafes

• Black Oak Coffee Roasters (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.3 miles)
• Starbucks (7.4 miles)
• Big Bottom Market (12 miles)
• Starbucks (12.2 miles)

Transportation

• KaiserAir, Santa Rosa Jet Center (9.8 miles)
• Charles M. Schulz - Sonoma County Airport (STS) (9.9 miles)
• STS Apron (9.9 miles)
• Sonoma Jet Center (10 miles)
• Cloverdale Airport (11.1 miles)

Theaters

• Airport Stadium 12 (10.3 miles)