Independent Living Communities in Santa Barbara, CA

"My mom and stepdad began living in Fernbrook, the assisted living section of Vista del Monte in 2020 right before the lockdown. My stepdad had had a stroke in August 2019 so he needed extra care, and my mom was incredibly sharp in her mid-nineties, but had mobility issues. Their private one-bedroom apartment had lovely views of the mountains and trees. My mom decorated it with her own paintings and their Southwestern art collection and it quickly became home for them. Even though my husband and I lived only fifteen minutes away we were not allowed by the CA governor to see them in person. I don't think I have to tell anyone with elderly parents in assisted living during the lockdown how difficult a time this was. Yet the staff and kitchen kept everything friendly and cheery. My mom and stepdad did not feel the isolation during that time so many elderly people did. There's a wonderful sense of community at VDM. After my stepdad passed away my mom had regular visits from a spiritual counselor which helped her enormously. I knew the clinic had excellent nurses and they always answered my calls when I inquired about my mom and called me if she was having any problems. My mom passed away in July 2021 the way she told me she wanted to - in her beloved apartment among her cherished photos and art. Fortunately my husband and I were able to be with her every day in the last months. It's a beautiful and beautifully run community - clean, spacious, airy with gardens to visit. My one quibble was that the food became less good during the last months of my mom's life. I hope they get a terrific chef again. "

"The location of this facility is really attractive to me. I could live here for sure. "

"I went to look and it was fairly new and nice. They were getting pretty full, so I don't know if the space is actually available right now at this time. It was a nice community. They had a nice courtyard. Everybody there was very friendly. We were kind of interested in this one. The food was actually very good. The director was very nice, and the activities director was very friendly, and very knowledgeable."

"Granvida Senior Living was excellent, beautifully-decorated, and extremely clean. The residents seemed to be happy and engaged. It was really fabulous. I would love to have my mother there. There's a neighbor of mine who was placed there by her daughter against her will, and I ran into her there and she was beaming because she loves it there. It's a great place for people to thrive and who can benefit from that environment. They have the active assisted living section and the smaller, more subdued memory care section. It's fantastic. When I first walked in, there was a social area with a coffee bar where you can make yourself a cup of coffee, and there were sofas and chairs. It just looked very comfortable. They had the activities posted. The staff member who showed us around was excellent and very informative. I received many follow-up calls, so their staff is very conscientious about following through."

"Valle Verde was very beautiful. It cost just about $100,000 just to buy-in. I saw the dining area. It was a large area, and it was very nice. The staff accommodated me very nicely."

"We were able to look at Maravilla, and it's a very nice place. It had beautiful grounds, and they have lots of things to offer. Their dining room was nice, as well as the people. They have a very pretty setting. They have a pool, a nice waiting room, exercise program, and games, like cards and Scrabble. "