Wait times, insider strategies, and new expansion homes available without joining the list.
Updated March 2026
Quick Summary
The Heron’s Key waitlist currently includes about 75 households and has been active since fall 2023. Wait times range from 2 to 4 years for one-bedroom apartments to 10+ years for cottages. Flexibility is the single greatest factor in moving sooner. Many families choose to move into a smaller residence first and transfer to their preferred home within a couple of years.
“How long will I wait?” It is the first question nearly every prospective resident asks when they discover Heron’s Key. And it is a fair one.
Planning for the future takes time, and the answer depends on several factors, including the type of residence you want and how flexible you are willing to be.
Below is a clear look at how the waitlist works, what typical timelines look like by residence type, and how thoughtful planning can help move your timeline forward.
The Current State of the Waitlist
At any given time, Heron’s Key has approximately 75 households on the waitlist. Since launching in fall 2023, some households are still early in their planning journey, which is both common and expected in a life plan community.
Each year, we anticipate about 10% turnover in independent living, or roughly 19 residences becoming available. Availability can vary. In 2025, only 5% became available, while early 2026 saw six apartments open in the first quarter.
This level of stability reflects something important. Residents genuinely enjoy living here and tend to stay. The average length of stay in independent living is approximately six years, and in many cases longer, as more residents choose to move in at a younger age.
Typical Wait Times by Residence Type
Wait time varies significantly based on the size and type of home you’re hoping to move into. Below are typical ranges based on patterns seen across life plan communities like Heron’s Key:
Estimated Wait Times at Heron’s Key
| Residence Type | Typical Wait |
|---|---|
| 1 Bedroom | 2–4 years |
| Smaller 2 Bedroom | 3–5 years |
| Medium 2 Bedroom (1,100–1,300 sq ft) | 5–7 years |
| Large 2 Bedroom + Den | 5–10 years |
| Cottages | 10+ years |
Important: These are estimates. Someone waiting for one very specific floor plan, especially a larger one, may wait toward the longer end of the range or beyond. Those open to multiple options tend to move in significantly sooner.
Phase II Expansion Available Now
Move in by early 2028 with no waitlist required
Thanks to the Heron’s Key expansion, a select number of new homes are available to reserve today for move-in in early 2028. These are offered on a first-come, first-reserved basis and do not require joining the waitlist.
- 3 Available Cottages (2 Bedroom+) featuring 1,800 sq. ft.
- 1 Available Juno Floor Plan, featuring 1,000 sq. ft.
- 1 Available Dauntless 2 (1 BD Deluxe), featuring 1,093 sq. ft.
Inquire About Phase II Homes →
Why Flexibility Is Your Biggest Advantage
The single most important factor in how quickly you move to Heron’s Key is flexibility.
Many families discover that a two-step strategy works beautifully:
- Move into a smaller one-bedroom or two-bedroom first
- Transfer to the preferred larger residence once it becomes available, often within the first couple of years
Because current residents receive priority for internal transfers, this approach often gets families into their ideal home faster than waiting from the outside. Once you’re part of the community, you’re first in line when what you want opens up.
In some cases, families even choose to reserve the first available residence while simultaneously waiting for a larger home, allowing them to transition into the community and its lifestyle without delay.
Availability of Larger Homes and Cottages
Cottages are among the most coveted homes at Heron’s Key, and their availability reflects how much residents treasure them. Many of the residents who moved into cottages when Heron’s Key opened in 2017 are still there today. For those not already on the internal list, reserving a Phase II cottage may be the most direct path to this style of living.
Pond-facing apartments are similarly in high demand. Interest comes from both the external waitlist and an internal transfer list of approximately 15 to 20 households, each wanting different unit types. Timing and readiness to act when an opportunity becomes available can make a meaningful difference.
How Waitlist Priority Works
When an apartment becomes available, it is offered according to a structured priority system designed to be fair to both current and future residents:
Apartment Offer Priority Order
- Current residents and off-site residents — those already part of the Heron’s Key community
- 10% depositors — those who have reserved a specific unit in Phase I or Phase II
- Waitlisted depositors — those waiting for a specific unit type
- Flexible waitlisted depositors — those open to any available unit
- Prospects — those in the broader database and market
This structure highlights the value of joining the waitlist early. The sooner you are on the list, the stronger your position when a home becomes available.
Health and Financial Qualifications
Joining the waitlist requires a financial qualification to ensure prospective residents can comfortably support the Heron’s Key lifestyle and service model. This qualification is revisited when an apartment becomes available, since entrance fees and financial situations can change over time.
Before move-in, every incoming resident completes a health assessment that includes:
- A physical evaluation
- A brief cognitive screening
Heron’s Key is a life care community, which means monthly fees remain stable for residents who move in while still living independently. This is a meaningful advantage — and one reason we encourage prospective residents not to wait too long before making their move.
The Earlier You Start, the More Options You Have
For many families, joining the Heron’s Key waitlist is simply the first step in planning thoughtfully for the future. The earlier that process begins, the more choices will be available when the time comes.
Waitlists can feel daunting at first. But at Heron’s Key, they reflect something worth recognizing: people genuinely love living here and choose to stay. With thoughtful planning and a bit of flexibility, many families find that the right opportunity arrives sooner than they ever expected.
Ready to Take the First Step?
Learn more about joining the waitlist or explore what Phase II expansion homes are available today.
