The Best Independent Living Communities in Monterey County, CA

"I went to look at The Park Lane. I like the vibe, feeling of the people, and food. The staff was very good. They had a lot of choices for food, and it tasted good. They have a refrigerator and a microwave. It varies from apartment to apartment. They have balconies. They have a big balcony on the top floor for everyone to use."

"I moved into Pacific Grove Senior Living. My daughter and I vacationed here last year, and I fell in love with it. I loved the location, I loved the people, and it was just something that impressed me when I went home. I loved the environment. Jonathan, the coordinator, was a magnificent help to my daughter and me because we drove across the country. We drove from Delaware to here, and he was absolutely fantastic. He kept up with us and made sure that we were OK. The management and the staff are great. The people are so friendly and welcoming. I couldn't have asked for anything more. It's just a good experience for me. They're very, very good people. I don't have food service. I cook my own food. The facility has its issues every once in a while, but basically it's good. They have all kinds of activities for you to take part in. For this area, the value for the money is good."

"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."

"We chose Merrill Gardens at Monterey because they gave us a really good rate on the care. My grandfather is in the assisted living and my grandmother is in the memory care, and so far it's fantastic. Everybody's very polite, and very professional. They have very good food. They're always doing activities with them, and they took them out on a field trip today."

"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."