You think you’re going to have a lot of spare time, but I’m busier now than I’ve ever been, said Elizabeth Jackson, 89, a resident of Vi at La Jolla Village retirement community — formerly known as the Classic Residence by Hyatt. Jackson, a former medical researcher who has recently become involved in financial investing, is just one senior citizen for whom retirement no longer means idle hours at home, frozen TV dinners and listless games of bridge. Instead, it represents new beginnings and the ultimate voyage of self-discovery. In August 2009, Jackson met and married her first husband, Dr. Richard Woodcock, eight years her junior and her neighbor at Vi. Jackson invited him to a party — “he looked lonesome”— and the two began getting together for coffee dates and long walks until Woodcock popped the question last July. They took a hot air balloon ride before exchanging vows at the Vi gardens, and have since circled the globe on a private jet — twice — stopping to explore the Amazon, chase gorillas up a Rwandan mountainside and ride camels through Timbuktu. Each Saturday, the couple celebrates another week of wedded bliss. “We want as many anniversaries as possible,” Jackson laughed. “This week will be 56.” Theresa Latosh, community relations manager for Vi, said Jackson and Woodcock embody what has increasingly become “the new face of retirement.” “Retirement is so much different today than it was for previous generations,” Latosh said. “It’s a more active life mentally, physically and spiritually.” She added that Vi residents tend to be out and about from early morning until evening taking classes at nearby universities, meeting for book clubs and political discussion groups, taking exercise classes like tai chi and yoga, or going on excursions to museums, the symphony, shopping destinations or golf and hiking trips. Other activities include an investment club, a needlepoint group that donates crafts to the American Heart Association, and gatherings for karaoke parties, line dancing and movie nights. “It’s really amazing what an active place this is,” Latosh said. Pat Wood, a Vi resident who spent many years working as a runway and photographic model in San Francisco and New York, said staying healthy and active have become even more important to her in retirement. “I don’t consider this an old folk’s nursing home kind of place,” she said. “People have a misconception that you wait until you’re on death row before you decide to do something about your future.” Latosh described Vi as a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) where residents can maintain an independent lifestyle as long as they wish, then move through higher levels of care as their needs change. “There are three primary benefits to this kind of living,” Latosh said. “It’s a great way to protect against rising long-term health costs. Also, there are tax advantages and different retainment options, so you can get a portion of your entry fee back if you choose to leave or have it go to your estate if you live here for the rest of your life.” While about 80 percent of Vi residents are native to the San Diego area — and many from La Jolla specifically — about 20 percent come from all over the country. “Sometimes it’s to be closer to family, sometimes they want to make new friends and sometimes it’s for something as simple as the nice weather,” Latosh said. While the minimum age for residency is 62, the demographics of the more than 500 seniors ranges considerably. One resident, Mary Goldstein, celebrated her 105th birthday this year and still lives independently, Latosh said. “I would say that overall, the average age is getting younger,” Latosh said. “I think people are realizing that they can take advantage of the center while they are still able to live actively.” Loren Gardner and his wife of 56 years, Julie — who had long careers as a mechanical engineer and university professor, respectively — recently discovered extreme sports. The couple began snowboarding in their late sixties as a way to spend more time with their grandchildren. Now, they frequent Sun Valley Resort, Mammoth Mountain and Mountain High — which, Gardner adds, is free for skiers and snowboarders over age 70. “We don’t do jumps or things like that,” he said. “We just kind of cruise down the hill.” When they aren’t busy checking the forecast for fresh powder, the Gardners travel extensively. Memorable trips have included a cruise to Antarctica, African safaris and, most recently, a historical tour of Iran. While they are at home, however, Vi offers “the largest independent living spaces of any retirement community in the country,” Latosh said. Apartments range from 800 to 3,000 square feet and house two to three bedrooms, plus living rooms and full kitchens. The facility also offers many libraries, outdoor recreational areas and three different dining venues, where residents can take advantage of two daily meals included in their living packages. Entry fees at Vi range from about $300,000 to more than $1 million, Latosh said, and monthly fees range from under $3,000 to more than $5,000. “It’s very accessible to people from a lot of different backgrounds,” Latosh said. For more information, call (858) 646-7700 or visit www.viliving.com/communities/lajolla.