The Best Independent Living Communities in Monterey County, CA

"I toured The Park Lane. They showed me what all of them looked like, the one bedroom. They also showed me the outside amenities and the inside amenities, and some other rooms were not attached to the main building. He showed me those as well, which I wasn't interested in. It was a good tour. I forget the name of the gentleman who gave me the tour at the time, but he was very thorough. They showed the gym and then there were some kind of floor exercises going on, which were all women. So I don't know if men were invited to that one or not, but there were other things you could use like at a computer station you could use for printing and whatnot."

"Cottages of Carmel was a wonderful place for my mother to spend her final 3 years. The care and compassion starts at the top with Julie and Gina, and filter all the way down to the med techs, the dining personnel and even the cleaning staff. My mother enjoyed a warm and caring relationship with many of the staff members and had close friendships with other residents. The food was excellent and she enjoyed the group exercise classes and the daily walks and excursions. Beyond the outstanding facilities, the true caring nature of every person she encountered at Cottages make it a very special and unique place to call home. I am extremely grateful for the excellent care she received and highly recommend it."

The Porter at Soquel, located at 5630 Soquel Drive in Soquel, California, is a senior living community offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care services. Situated on a 3.73-acre property, the community features 82 suites designed to accommodate a total of 91 residents. Residents at The Porter at Soquel enjoy a variety of amenities and services that enhance their daily living experience. The community boasts an on-site beauty and barber shop, providing convenient grooming services. Transportation services are available for residents' outings and appointments. Beautifully landscaped gardens and patios offer serene outdoor spaces, complemented by ample resident and guest parking. Comprehensive housekeeping and laundry services ensure a comfortable and maintenance-free lifestyle. Engaging activities such as music sessions, games, book clubs, yoga classes, gardening, arts and crafts, and offsite excursions cater to diverse interests. Dining options include in-room kitchenettes, a communal dining room with shared meals, room service, guest dining accommodations, and specialized diets to meet individual nutritional needs. The Porter at Soquel is staffed by a team of dedicated professionals committed to providing personalized care in a safe and supportive environment. The community's proximity to local attractions enriches residents' lives, with nearby destinations such as Bargetto Winery, Soquel Vineyards, and Anna Jean Cummings Park offering opportunities for leisure and exploration.

"My brother is currently in Merrill Gardens at Monterey. I have found them to be very responsive. It's a very uplifting atmosphere. They have lots of activities. The facility has amazingly 12-hour restaurant-style dining. So, they can go downstairs anywhere between 7 in the morning and 7 at night and eat. I've never had a bad meal, it's very good. They have happy hour on Thursdays where they have live music and entertainment, and they have a large activity room and a big screen TV where they watch movies twice a day. They have an exercise room with guided exercises for seniors. They go on excursions. They got a bus where they can take 15 or 20 people and they go to plays and they go to the grocery stores and out to eat lunch. It's just a very involved, beautiful complex. They've got five levels of care, which takes them from totally independent living right up to memory care - dementia and Alzheimer's. And so, you don't have to move. I was there for Thanksgiving dinner and that seriously was the best turkey I've ever had in my life. They do a wonderful, wonderful job. It's a new facility, it's like four or five years old. "

"I did look at a facility that I would not recommend. It is the Hacienda Carmel. I think Hacienda Carmel has rented out this wing to assisted living. It is understaffed. I'm not criticizing the people that were working there. They seem knowledgeable, but they were overwhelmed because they are so understaffed. On the day I was there, the same person that was taking care of some patients had to mop the floor on the hall. I don't have a good opinion of them. There was nothing specifically bad, but there is nothing good either. So I have not followed up once I had gone to the facility. "

"Forest Hill Manor has independent, assisted, and nursing, and I looked at the independent for myself and assisted for a friend of mine. It's very good. I liked everything about it. The only thing that I don't like is Pacific Grove has a lot of fog. The person during the tour was very pleasant. The food was good and the dining area was very nice. They redid it, it's large, and it's very inviting. I've gone there for lunch and tea and I'm invited again for a tea. The staff was nice. They went out of their way and they're very pleasant."