From what I saw, it seems like University Pines would be an excellent place for seniors to live. The staff was very nice and very cordial. The room was clean, inviting, and cozy. They had a couple of different room sizes, one was very small and one was medium sized. I want my brother to have freedom to come and go like he wanted to. I also want him to have someone to possibly just see that he's taking his medication, but that would cost additional $250 a month for that person. They're like independent people who work there, but they aren't under contract with University Pines, and you have to pay them to dispense medication and that type of thing. The dining area was clean and inviting. It's a large area. They had bingo and outside activity. They had balconies and patios for the individual apartments. The staff was very friendly and very informative.
University Pines
Offers Independent Living
34 Reviews
8991 University Pkwy, Pensacola, FL 32514
Call
(800) 385-2527
PROMOTION!
4 days
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Reviews of University Pines
Independent Living Reviews for University Pines
February 18, 2021
I visited this facility
February 04, 2021
I visited this facility
We visited University Pines. Overall, it was okay but not much more than okay. A lot of people were spread out, they have long wings, long halls and only one elevator. To get down to dinner, if you can use stairs you're okay, if you're like my wife and you need an elevator, you gotta stand them on and I didn't like that, otherwise it was okay. The people were fine and they were friendly. The rooms were pretty typical but they were adequate in size, and they were acceptable. We have had a couple dinners and the food was typical and okay. I went over there before the shutdown.
October 15, 2020
I visited this facility
I liked University Pines a lot; they were very helpful. It's independent living. I talked to the staff pretty extensively. The rooms are small studios basically that looked perfectly fine. It looked like a nice facility.
October 07, 2020
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
My mother has been in this facility for 14 years. I can't think of any better place for her to live. The staff is caring not only to the resident, but to their family as well. During this pandemic, they have been diligent in keeping everyone safe. The staff wears masks all the time and are careful about social distancing with the activities they play and eating in the dining room. I am happy to say that so far, they have not had one case of Covid. I have visited other facilities in the past and I did not think that they presented a warm homey feeling. When I go to University Pines to visit my mother, I feel like I am going to her home, not just a place where she lives.
October 01, 2020
I visited this facility
I looked at University Pines, but it's not continuing care. The rates are comparable to other places. The staff member said that they're a cracker barrel of senior facilities. She was very friendly and competent, but the rooms were very small and cramped. There's really no views to be had, like the residents have views of the parking lot or some woods. They have no property around there where you can stroll or walk, and it's on such a busy road. They were putting in some new carpeting and stuff, so maybe they're upgrading it. It looks like it's in the middle of the road. It didn't really impress me because it's too close to a busy road and there's not any landscaping. Plus the rooms were very small and cramped. The dining room I wasn't able to access because of COVID, but for happy hour they gave us a fruit plate that we ate that outside. It's only independent living with no upfront fee.
September 25, 2020
I am/was a resident of this facility
The best staff ever. So helpful and caring. I have met a lot of nice residents here. the activities are great. the building is well cared for. Very clean. I love the bus driver Gary. He will take you anywhere you need to go. Francis is the worker in charge of the third floor where I live. She is so helpful and kind.
August 27, 2020
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
The rooms are well kept by house cleaning staff. There is room in the kitchen area for a microwave and coffee pot if desired. All staff I have encountered have been very congenial and supportive of both residents and their loved ones. In particular, a great big thank you to Kathy M., the Activities Coordinator. She goes way above and beyond what is required in working with the residents and they all seem to love her. A couple of the many things she does with them are the handbell choir and classes to teach the ladies beading to make jewelry. Some of the amenities offered are three balanced meals a day as well as snacks in both morning and afternoon as well as cleaning of the apartments once every two weeks. The property is well kept both inside and out. The decor is very pleasant and the grounds are kept perfectly manicured. Management is always eager to help with any problem the residents may have. Kudos also go to Gary K., who drives the community’s bus. He goes above and beyond to make sure the residents are able to go where they need to, including medical appointments. My sister often has to go out to the VA for her medical care. He takes her and waits while she has her appointment so she also has a way back to the Pines. Sometimes this can entail a wait of an hour or more and he is very gracious about it.
January 15, 2020
I am/was a resident of this facility
I moved into University Pines. I like my apartment, but the food is terrible. The staff is wonderful, but it's depressing. There are so many old people here, and I wasn't ready for that. The food is not the best. The activities do not suit me. They play bingo, bocce ball while sitting in the chair, and they have music in the afternoon, but the whole place is locked up tight. Everybody is in bed and no one is out mingling after 6:30 p.m.; that's not my way of living.
Provider Response
Hi Arlene, thank you for taking the time to rate and leave a review. We regret to hear that you do not feel that University Pines suits your needs. Our community takes great pride in preparing nutritious and delicious offerings for all of our residents and our menu does change daily. Our goal is to have happy residents and family members so your feedback is very important. Thank you
November 05, 2019
I visited this facility
I took a tour of University Pines. The staff was very nice, it was quite pleasant, but I want to be closer to family. The rooms were fine, in a very good shape, not spacious, but livable, and the dining area looked very clean. They have yoga, and an exercise program for movement.
August 24, 2019
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
My father moved into University Pines and so far our experience has been fine; it's been great. His room there is good; it's better than where he came from. They have on-site physical therapy, 24/7 caretakers, and they have various activities all day every day. He loves the food. I would rate it a five.
June 25, 2019
I visited this facility
We were treated well at University Pines. They were under a lot of repairs at the time. It felt more like a dated hotel room. The staff member was great and did a good job of showing us just about everything that they had. They had exercise equipment, rooms to read in, and rooms to go watch TV with other people. The dining hall was very nice. The place was just a little bit dated. Everybody was very nice and very kind.
August 29, 2018
I visited this facility
University Pines is a smaller, clean community. The fact that there were several stories deterred us, because mother is afraid of heights and won't go up the stairs. They had a different kind of setup for a community room, with areas where people can listen to music. I think it's kind of neat because music is very good for dementia patients. They had a larger number of little apartments, but they were smaller than the other community I visited. The rooms were not spacious enough, and they're independent living only. Everything was painted and not in disrepair or had any signs of neglect. The buildings were well kept. The staff was professional.
Provider Response
Hi there, we're happy you found our staff to be so supportive during your experience here at University Pines. We appreciate all feedback we receive, it allows us to improve for our residents. If you and your family, do have any questions, please let us know.
February 25, 2018
I visited this facility
We visited University Pines. They had all kinds of activities, like painting, plus there's a library, exercise room, television, and all kinds of get-togethers. The meals were OK, but we also had a wonderful holiday meal. They had everything for amenities, a beautiful area to park in, lots of space for visitors, and a beautiful front porch.
May 08, 2017
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
Mom is at University Pines, and that’s where she wanted to stay because it's been really good for her. She gets her regular meals, and she interacts with people on a daily basis. I've eaten several meals with her, and it's all been good. Mom's room is very clean but small with a single bed and a living room. It is maintained, they provide the laundry service, and they vacuum the carpet. She's pleased with the place.
February 09, 2017
I visited this facility
University Pines is an excellent facility. The staff was nice, very helpful, and very knowledgeable. They seemed to have a good relationship with all the people living there. They knew everyone by first name. They seemed like warm, genuine people. They serve three meals a day.
They had numerous activities. They have a trail that goes all the way around the facility so you can go walk. You can have a pet there, and there are places to walk your pet outside. They have day trips as well. You schedule ahead of time, and they have shuttles to get you to doctor’s appointments.
January 02, 2017
I visited this facility
University Pines was probably the most active with staff-led programs at the time we were there than any of the places we visited. It is called independent living, but to us it was like a step between independent and assisted. It is not really independent and not really assisted. For example, none of apartments had full kitchens, and we are not ready for that yet. It was a very lovely campus, and the people who were there were obviously very happy and very engaged. They had an exercise corner with two or three pieces of equipment.
December 30, 2016
I visited this facility
University Pines and its location were very good, and the staff was very nice. It’s a little expensive, though.
November 25, 2016
I visited this facility
The visit I had at University Pines was nice. The people were nice, but it seemed a little gloomy. I looked at a studio, and it was fine. The residents looked fine, but the place looked a little subdued.
May 10, 2016
I am a friend or relative of a resident
My parents have been in the University Pines for three weeks now. They love it. The staff is very accommodating. The food and everything so far has been excellent. I do not have any issues whatsoever. I will recommend it.
March 28, 2016
I visited this facility
University Pines was clean and very pretty. The staff was very nice and very friendly. My main complaints about it were that it did not have a pool, and I did not like the food. It was very bland. I asked for baked potato, but it was cooked in a microwave, which I detest because it made it gummy. They had a couple of choices for each meal, but they were all just very bland. However, the rooms were very nice.
December 21, 2015
I visited this facility
We visited and enjoyed University Pines. The staff was very nice, very informative, and very helpful. The rooms we saw were very nice and loacted conveniently near the dining area. I thought it was very good. They also have a workout room.
August 31, 2015
I visited this facility
I just walked in, and there were little scooters and little wheelchairs and everything else going all over the place. There were lots of people and lots of activities going on. They had their little veterans' wall and veterans' meetings. Everything looked absolutely wonderful, and the rooms looked wonderful. University Pines is where I would put my in-laws.
August 14, 2015
I visited this facility
The apartments were small and had an air-conditioner in the middle of the living room. The staff was nice and friendly. Some of the activities were OK, but most of the residents at University Pines were older than what I was looking for. They had transportation to places, and they did have other activities that were going on in the community. It was an open dining room with a one-time meal service. Everybody ate at the same time, and they did have options there. However, the people that were there didn't seem to bother.
Provider Response
Hello, thank you for taking the time to rate and review our community. While we may not have been the perfect fit for you at this time, we appreciate you taking the time to provide us with this feedback. Thank you
August 05, 2015
I visited this facility
University Pines only had independent living, and it was expensive. The staff was very nice. I liked the marketing director. She was a delightful lady. They showed us an apartment, and it was very nice. It was also adequate. We had a meal there, and I liked it.
May 15, 2015
I am a friend or relative of a resident
Our experience with University Pines is good. The grounds are very nice. They have activities like karaoke. They have church, and they do bingo. My sister is in the retirement community there. There is a hospital nearby. Everything is wonderful in the whole place.
February 09, 2015
I visited this facility
University Pines is nice and spacious. It looks like a good place to where my dad could move in to. It is bit of a community of his peers. They had shared with us a couple of the one-bedrooms that was vacated at the time. They shared with us that they were taking some of the residents to the Blue Angels show during that time. They shared some of the activities they have available for the men like a billiards area. They encourage the men to meet there. They have a TV area that is separate, and they have a weight room too. They are really good and nice.
August 28, 2014
I visited this facility
The one I visited was University Pines and it was a nice place. The only problem that I would have is that it’s located on a very busy street, but it's also nice because the hospital is just right across. The staff was very friendly and very accommodating.
August 27, 2014
I visited this facility
I found University Pines very clean. It appeared to be well-run. They had a variety of different facilities available as far as studios and a one or two-bedroom apartments. It had an all-inclusive, with three meals a day in the dining room. The thing that impressed me most was that they had ground floor rooms with direct access to the outside and that is important for me. They had just about any activity you could want. They have a list of probably a dozen different activities every day. They do have outings and transportation available for shopping or doctors' appointments. They have medical people that come in regularly to do blood pressure checks, exercises classes, and things like that. They also have a poetry club, a pool table, a TV room, and a beauty parlor. The staff was very friendly and very, very nice. The atmosphere was more like a very nice hotel. My mother was in a nursing home and there were definitely sick people there, but this was just individual people who were independent, but not completely on their own anymore. Other than the fact that it was along a busy highway, it really was almost walking distance to a shopping area. They actually invited me to a luau yesterday and the food was good, tasty, and well prepared.
June 26, 2014
I am/was a resident of this facility
I am living at University Pines, and its fine. There is not a thing wrong, but maybe they could have better food. This place is very good. The rooms are fine. We have all kinds of activities, like bingo and bowling. They allow pets, and that is also the reason why I chose this place.
June 17, 2014
I am a friend or relative of a resident
University Pines was very active and social. It didn't appear to be a nursing home-type setting.
The rooms have different sizes. They have a very small all-in-one type room, and then they have one a little bit bigger. It's still one room, but it has a lot more space in it, and then they have rooms for couples. The staff is very friendly, open, welcoming. They have a big calendar that they print every month. There are probably 8 to 10 activities for people to choose from every day. They have different trips during the week, and they have people that come in to entertain. They have all different types of games and activities for the residents every day.
I visited my mother several times, and they give them options for different things. It's not just one thing that they have to eat. It's very good. They have several chefs that work, and they alternate, so it's very good. The dining area is like a restaurant, so she can mingle, and it's very open. I think the best thing for her is the social activities. She's able to get out and meet people. She likes it.
March 26, 2014
I visited this facility
The rooms are really nice at the University Pines. They clean the rooms once a week and they do light housekeeping. They also do your laundry. They do have activities done within the facility and they also do outside trips.
September 29, 2013
I visited this facility
We visited University Pine and it's a nice place. We did not get really familiar with the staff, but they seemed okay. We didn't spend much time there, but I can say that the apartments are adequate and that's all I can say.
September 15, 2013
I visited this facility
I looked at University Pines and it's a very nice place. I liked it whole lot. The staff were very nice. I was very pleased with this facility. The food was fine. They have a lot of activities going on. They have good exercise program and they also have a lady come in to do flower arranging.
January 30, 2013
I am/was a resident of this facility
In my opinion, University Pines has become a training place. They're bringing in other people that have to be trained. They also make the staff work too hard without any extra help coming in to train people. And we are not getting the attention and not getting the service. They are understaffed. We had good management a year ago or so. I've been here over a year and a half and I was hoping to spend my next 10 years. But the way the University Pines is looking and has been and its maintenance, we'll never be here for another five years. This place needs a complete overhaul of the building. They don't even have maintenance to try to fix chairs, so they throw them in the garbage, which I think is not right.
Provider Response
Hello, thank you for your review. We regret to hear that you were not completely satisfied with your experience at our community and are confident this does not represent our community as a whole. We understand that many personnel changes and restructuring have occurred since your experience at our community and we hope to get a second chance to show you how great our leadership is. Thank you
Costs for University Pines
Services and Amenities of University Pines
Costs
- Fee Structure Extra: Included In Rent: Basic Cable, Electric, Sewer, Water
- Independent Living Starting At: $2264/month
Room and housing options
- 1-bedroom apartments
- 2-bedroom apartments
- Studio Apartments
- Housing Extra: Handicap Barrier Free Units Available, Hardwood, Individual Climate Control, Safety Rails In Bathroom, Telephone Hookup, Walk In Tub
Dining options
- In Room Kitchenette
- Dining Room Shared Meals
- Dining Extra: Private Dining Room
Features
- Beauty Barber Shop
- Computer Room
- Resident Transportation
- Hiking Trails
- Tv Room
- Garden And Patio
- Resident Parking
- Features Extra: Laundry Room For Use, Chapel, Library, Locked Mailboxes, Elevator, Parking: Covered
Cleaning services
- Laundry For Linens
- Housekeeping
Technology and entertainment
- Cable In Rooms
- Technology Extra: Wi Fi In Common Areas
Activities
- Offsite Activities
- Fitness Room
- Activities Extra: Billiard Lounge, Game Room, Activity Room
Financial guidance
- Va Benefits Consultation
Guest services
- Guest Parking
- Guests At Mealtime
- Overnight Guests
General
- Minimum Age: 55
- Pets: Most Pets Allowed
About University Pines
University Pines is located in Pensacola, FL, providing a vibrant backdrop for your new life as a valued member of our caring community.
From pleasant housekeepers, to attentive servers at mealtime and helpful maintenance technicians who are there when you need them, this community is the new extension of your family. We take pleasure in getting to know each of our residents and look out for their comfort and happiness. Our chefs prepare three delicious meals each day, served in our beautiful dining room. We provide housekeeping, linen services, fun and stimulating activities, off-site excursions, transportation to your personal appointments and a variety of classes and programs. Our warm, comfortable community and our friendly staff and residents will welcome you. We look forward to making your life easier any way we can.
So come to University Pines for a visit...and stay!
*We understand that each individual is unique and that needs may change over time. Holiday Retirement does not provide any health care services. However, residents are welcome to receive services from any outside home health care provider of their choice to help them continue enjoying life at our community.
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