Lancaster, PA – Willow Valley Communities has been ranked by Newsweek as one of the top two Continuing Care Retirement Communities in the United States. In a new list from Newsweek that ranks the top 300 continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) in the United States, Willow Valley Communities has been ranked the #2 CCRC in the nation, and #1 in PA and the eastern U.S.
Willow Valley Communities moved up from the #3 spot in the 2024 ranking, and Newsweek recognized the organization in an article, also published Wednesday, entitled, “What Makes America’s Best Continuing Care Communities Stand Out.”
A Santa Barbara, CA community earned the top spot in 2025, with a total score of 93.05%, less than a point higher than Willow Valley Communities’ score of 92.09%. According to Newsweek, each CCRC’s score includes a reputation score from online surveys (70%), a visitor satisfaction score (15%), an accreditation score (10%), and a Google review score (5%).
This is the second time Newsweek has partnered with global data research firm, Statista, to score the communities for the “America’s Best Continuing Care Retirement Communities” rankings. Researchers examined more than 2,000 CCRCs across the country with reputation score survey results. The 25 states with the most CCRCs were included in the ranking.
Newsweek published news of its plans for the rankings in August 2024 when it posted links to two surveys on its website— one for residents and prospective residents and their friends and family members, and the other for CCRC workers and those whose jobs associated them with CCRCs. Data were collected through September.
Newsweek says the goal of the rankings is to “provide people looking for guidance on CCRCs with a comprehensive resource for informed decision-making.”
John G. Swanson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Willow Valley Communities commented on the Newsweek rankings. “For over 40 years Willow Valley Communities has been driven by a mission to deliver outstanding resident experiences, and this is strong validation from a well-respected, national organization that we are achieving that. As we embark on our next expansion, Mosaic, coming to Lancaster City, we will continue to meet or exceed national best- practice standards.”
Willow Valley Communities owes much to the legacy of John and Florence Thomas and their son, Marlin. In 1965, the Thomas family opened the Willow Valley Inn, originally consisting of a 30-room hotel and 100-seat restaurant. The family’s steadfast commitment to hospitality and exceptional service would later extend to the idea of retirement living, and Willow Valley Communities opened in the spring of 1984.
Swanson joined the organization in 1991 and working with Thomas, has raised the bar in retirement living, driven by a philosophy of “building for people; not building for seniors.” Willow Valley Communities is credited with many “firsts” in the industry, including the construction of single-family, multi-story homes in a CCRC setting, building significant satellite amenities such as an 80,000 sq. ft. Cultural Center, and a 30,000 sq. ft. intergenerational clubhouse, and launching new culinary experiences, atypical of senior living communities. Today, Mr. Swanson continues to oversee development innovation for Willow Valley Communities. Significant new projects include the Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Center, and Mosaic, which will feature 146 new residences in the heart of Lancaster, PA’s market district.
Today, Willow Valley Communities is home to more than 2,600 residents from 42 states across the nation offering extraordinary 55+ residential experiences, award-winning amenities, and the financial peace of mind of a Type A Lifecare contract.
