Ave Maria: Where Generations Thrive Together
Ave Maria is more than a place to live; it’s a community where people of all ages weave together. Children ride bikes through welcoming neighborhoods, retirees savor ice cream at the local ice cream shop and families gather for festivals in the Town Center. This “big kind of small town” thrives on intergenerational living, where everyday encounters spark friendships and create a deep sense of belonging.
Grace and Christopher McKnight found the perfect balance of tranquility and engagement at Ave Maria’s Del Webb Naples community. After touring several retirement neighborhoods, they realized they didn’t want to live in a bubble. “Ave Maria offered a sense of belonging not just among retirees but within a diverse, active town,” Grace said.
Unlike traditional age-restricted communities, Del Webb Naples residents live alongside young families, students and professionals, fostering natural daily interactions. Grace enjoys pickleball, golf and aquatic classes, while her husband takes to the walking paths and fairways. They attend Ave Maria University sporting events and love spontaneous moments.
Here, connection is effortless. Walkways, bike paths and golf cart trails link neighborhoods, while the Town Center serves as a social hub for every generation. “In other places, you might have to leave your community to feel connected,” Grace shared. “Here, connection is built into daily life.”
Esperanza Meléndez teaches her great-granddaughter Camila how to make salads.
For Genesis North, Ave Maria became the backdrop for a four-generation family journey. In 2016, she and her mother, Nubia Meléndez, moved to CC Homes‘ Coquina neighborhood after struggling to find an affordable home in Naples, FL. “When we visited Ave Maria, everything clicked,” North recalled. “The process was seamless, and the price was right.”
A year later, North married William, a general contractor who quickly embraced Ave Maria’s charm. They settled into Maple Ridge, just two minutes from her mother’s home. Today, their children Liam, 10; Lucas, 6; and Camila, 3 attend nearby schools, while North teaches Zumba at local clubhouses and parks.
The North family, from left, Camila, Genesis, Liam, Lucas and William.
Two years ago, North’s grandparents, Esperanza and Rafael Meléndez, moved from Venezuela to live with Nubia. The bond between generations is constant. The children love visiting their great-grandparents whether it’s enjoying “Abuelita’s” homemade soup or having a beloved stuffed animal mended. “Abuelito” is quick to join in games, his laughter blending with the kids’ energy.
Whether sharing a meal, a story or a pickleball court, residents of all ages find common ground here. In Ave Maria, the generations don’t just coexist, they thrive together.