Air Force Enlisted Village

Pros

• It is described as a great place for retirement.
• It is noted to be well kept with many amenities and perceived as safe.
• The facility is described as fantastic with wonderful staff.
• The concept is appreciated, with many activities available.
• The village is described as kind and caring, with lots of activities.
• It is seen as an ultimate venue for fun and entertainment, with top-tier management.
• Staff and residents are described as very friendly and efficient.
• It is considered a great place for retired military and their spouses.
• The community is described as beautiful and nice to stay in.
• Veterans and their spouses report a welcoming, activity-rich community.
• Residents feel well cared for and say it feels like they live in a resort.
• The grounds are described as well cared for and the facilities well maintained.

Cons

• The sales representative is described as a fast talker who does not listen well to elderly people.
• The sales process involved presenting numerous pages of documents with no opportunity for counsel.
• It is alleged that $4,000 was taken from an elderly widow, with only a partial refund offered after litigation.
• The situation reportedly required legal action against the sales process.
• The credibility of the sales representative is described as questionable, with reluctance to respond.
• There is a claim that the village has strayed from its original mission due to greed.
• Rental prices are criticized as being absurd.

Review

Bob Hope Village presents itself as a themed retirement community tailored for veterans, widows, and spouses of service members. Across the various voices in the reviews, the place is described as meticulously maintained, with a broad array of amenities and a strong sense of community. Several writers highlight safety, attentive staff, and a well-kept environment as standout positives. They paint a picture of a lively campus where residents can enjoy year?round activities, a pool, transportation for errands and medical appointments, and a social life that centers around military culture. The tone from these reviewers is largely celebratory: residents and their families feel grateful for a facility that serves veterans and their families, and many say they would strongly recommend the village to others. A recurring refrain is that the village is a "great place for retired military," with multiple endorsements of the friendly staff, the supportive atmosphere, and the opportunity to connect with others who share a similar life experience.

Within these favorable assessments, there is a substantial counterpoint centered on a troubling personal experience involving a sales representative named Ryan Price. One extended, highly specific account alleges that an 88?year?old mother, described as a military widow, was drawn into a sales process without adequate time or counsel to review the documents. The reviewer claims that the mother never even viewed the actual unit she wanted, never received keys, and never moved in. The accusation goes further: Ryan Price is described as a "fast talker" who is not a patient listener, particularly when dealing with elderly clients. The narrative contends that the paperwork presented was voluminous and offered with little opportunity for legal counsel, leaving the grandmotherly figure to navigate complex documents on her own. The most distressing claim is that Price allegedly took $4,000 from the mother, prompting her to hire a lawyer and engage in litigation against Bob Hope Village. The reviewer states that Price was reluctant to respond, only offering a partial refund later - $1,000 of the $4,000 - after the matter had already escalated to a legal dispute. The rhetorical question posed by the author - "What type of person takes advantage of an 88 year old Military widow?" - carries a charged moral indictment about the character of the salesperson and the overall integrity of the sales operation.

The same account notes that, as of 2025, the matter remains in legal litigation, with accusations that Bob Hope Village has strayed from its original mission due to greed and the influence of individuals like Price in the sales department. The reviewer asserts that Price's credibility is questionable and voices concern for how many other vulnerable residents might have been misled. This thread of critique - centered on trust, fairness, and elder protection - runs alongside the more favorable testimonials, creating a tension that frames the village as a place of both opportunity and risk, depending on whom you encounter during the sales process and how much support you receive when making major, life-changing decisions.

Amid this tension, many reviewers continue to praise the village's more neutral, everyday strengths. Several accounts highlight abundant activities, a healthy social life, and a well-rounded lifestyle for retirees. There are repeated mentions of a "military culture" that resonates with veterans and their spouses, and of a community where residents feel valued and engaged. The reviews note that the village offers transportation to stores and medical appointments, a year?round pool, and a wide range of programs and events that keep residents busy. For those who live there or visit as family, the environment often feels welcoming, with stories about polite, friendly staff, and residents who form a close-knit community. The sense of belonging is reinforced by remarks that the village is a good home for veterans and their families, a place where the culture and shared history of military life provide a sense of pride and continuity.

Price is not the only point of friction in the mixed feedback, however. One line of critique focuses on cost and value, with one reviewer explicitly calling rental prices "absurd" and another noting that rents have continued to rise over time. Several comments reference the initial appeal of the village as a low-cost option for surviving spouses, contrasted with later concerns that expansions - such as the construction of new sections - have driven prices up and pricing policies have become less favorable to long-time, vulnerable residents. The tension between affordability for widows and the ongoing investment in new facilities sits alongside the broader praise for amenities and community life, suggesting a complex equation for potential residents and their families as they weigh safety, cost, and lifestyle.

Other anecdotes emphasize both the practical and the experiential aspects of life at Bob Hope Village. A guest who stayed two nights praised the grounds and the cleanliness of a guest room, expressing gratitude to an employee named Teresa for taking care of them. A resident mentions a beloved local restaurant, Knives Edge, as a highlight in the social calendar, while another note points to the village's ability to support a broad spectrum of activities and services that keep retirees engaged. Several comments describe the village as a terrific fit for widows of enlisted airmen and veterans, underscoring a sense of kinship and shared experience. There is also acknowledgment of the village's ability to host large social events - such as a Military Ball - that reinforce a sense of pride and tradition.

Taken together, these reviews present a village of dualities: on one hand, a structured, well-equipped community offering safety, camaraderie, and a meaningful life for retired service members and their families; on the other hand, a cautionary tale about the sales process and a call for greater vigilance when navigating contracts and upfront investments. The strongest notes of praise emphasize safety, upkeep, an active social calendar, and a welcoming atmosphere that honors military heritage. The most pointed criticisms center on the behavior of a single salesperson and the potential for elder exploitation, as well as concerns about affordability and the transparency of agreements. For anyone considering Bob Hope Village, the collection of perspectives suggests weighing the evident strengths - the facilities, the activities, the supportive staff and the shared sense of mission - against the reported risks associated with sales practices and costs. In the end, the reviews reflect a community with much to offer, tempered by serious questions about trust, pricing, and how the village protects its most vulnerable residents.

Restaurants

• Subway (1.1 miles)
• peppers Mexican grill (1.4 miles)
• Corner Cafe (2.4 miles)
• Burger King (2.8 miles)
• Wendy's (2.8 miles)
• AJ's on the Bayou (2.8 miles)
• Stewby's Seafood Shanty (3.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Genoa-Qol Healthcare Co. (3.5 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)

Physicians

• Dress Cosmectic Surgery P.A. (2.1 miles)
• Family Eyecare Center (2.2 miles)
• Donald Whitaker (2.8 miles)
• Jason R Boole, MD (2.8 miles)
• Interventional Pain Center (3 miles)
• White Wilson General Surgery (3 miles)
• Robert P Feldman, MD - Florida Institute of Neuroscience (3 miles)

Hospitals

• Kidney center (3 miles)
• Fort Walton Beach Medical Center OB OR (3.1 miles)

Transportation

• Destin–Fort Walton Beach Airport (VPS) (3 miles)
• Hertz Rent A Car (3.1 miles)

Parks

• Sunset Park (3.1 miles)
• Vesta Heights Park (3.9 miles)
• Ferry Park (4 miles)
• Fort Walton Beach Landing (4.4 miles)
• John Beasley Park (4.7 miles)
• Liza Jackson Park (5.1 miles)
• Mattie Kelly Park (6.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.4 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)