Independent Living at The Berkeley, Short Pump
All the independence, none of the upkeep
A maintenance-free lifestyle for active seniors in Short Pump, Richmond VA.
There's no daily care included and none required here, just your own private apartment and a close-knit community built around it.
Live life on your own terms
- Come and go as you please Keep the hobbies and routines that already make your days feel like yours.
- Your own private apartment No shared rooms, no one else's rules.
- A lifestyle, built around freedom This is simply a different way to live. Support is available later if it's ever wanted, but that's not what today is about.
Some communities call this a 55+ lifestyle. At The Berkeley, we just call it living the way you want to.
Say goodbye to the chores of home
- The lawn, the gutters, the repairs Nothing to schedule, no contractors to track down.
- Weekly housekeeping and laundry Part of daily life here, not an extra to arrange.
- Chef-prepared meals Restaurant-style dining, without the cooking or the cleanup.
What all of this really adds up to is time back in your week, time you get to spend however you want instead of on upkeep.
See if independent living is the right fit. Book a visit.
An active, connected community
- About 70 residents in total Small enough that people know each other's names.
- A full calendar of events and outings Something worth showing up for, most weeks.
- Dining as a gathering place Our restaurant-style dining room doubles as a social hub.
For many residents, the biggest change independent living brings isn't a slower pace. It's fewer quiet evenings alone and more people around the table. It's part of what makes The Berkeley one of the more active senior living communities in the Richmond area, not despite being small, but because of it.
A private apartment to call your own
- Bring your own furniture and art The pieces that already feel like home, right where you live now.
- A boutique, park-like campus Private living without an institutional feel.
If you've been searching for senior independent living communities that don't feel like an institution, this is what that actually looks like in practice. See our community.
Support that grows with you
- No need to plan around uncertainty Needs can change, sometimes gradually and sometimes all at once. Starting in independent living means never having to move somewhere new if that happens.
- Assisted living, in the same community If more hands-on help is ever needed, assisted living is available, with the same familiar faces.
- Memory care, if it's ever needed For memory-related needs specifically, our memory care program is here too.
None of this is required for independent living. But for families thinking ahead, knowing it exists tends to matter.
Schedule a Tour“All the independence, none of the upkeep, just your own private apartment and a community built around it.”
Independent living in Short Pump, Richmond's West End
- Where we are 1800 Gaskins Road, Henrico County, in the heart of Richmond's West End.
- Close to what's familiar Minutes from Short Pump Town Center, about 15 miles from downtown Richmond.
- Easy for family to visit Close enough that residents stay connected to the shopping, dining, and community they already know.
If you've been searching for independent living communities near you in Richmond VA, or comparing us to a retirement community elsewhere in the area, we'd genuinely love the chance to show you around in person.
Frequently asked questions
What is independent living?
Independent living is a lifestyle for active, self-sufficient seniors who don't need daily care but want the freedom of a maintenance-free home and a built-in community. At The Berkeley, that means a private apartment, chef-prepared meals, housekeeping, and an active social calendar, without any care services included.
How is independent living different from assisted living?
Independent living includes no hands-on daily care, it's built for residents who are fully self-sufficient. Assisted living includes help with things like medication management and daily activities, based on a care level determined through a nurse assessment.
Who is a good fit for independent living at The Berkeley?
Active seniors who are ready to be done with home maintenance and want a real social community, without needing help with daily tasks, tend to feel most at home here.
What's included in independent living?
Your private apartment, utilities, weekly housekeeping and laundry, chef-prepared dining, and a full calendar of community activities and outings. These are lifestyle conveniences, not care services.
What happens if my needs change over time?
You're not locked into one level of support forever. If more help is ever needed, residents can transition to assisted living or memory care within the same Berkeley community, without a disruptive move to somewhere unfamiliar.
Where is The Berkeley located?
The Berkeley at Short Pump is located at 1800 Gaskins Road in Henrico County, minutes from Short Pump Town Center and about 15 miles from downtown Richmond. Get directions
How do I schedule a tour?
Call us at (804) 741-8880 or reach out through our Contact page, and we'll set up a time for you to come see the community in person.
Independence, close to home, right here in Short Pump.
Wherever you're coming from, whether that's just down the road or from the next town over, The Berkeley is close enough to visit easily and small enough to feel like home from the first tour.