The Best Independent Living Communities in Ocean County, NJ

"I've lived in Greenbriar Woodlands for almost ten years now. It's great. The people are nice. We're happy here. However, I want to downsize or get help for my husband. He had a stroke recently, and I need help with him, that's why I'm thinking of moving. They have everything here. They have 1200 houses here and maybe twenty-five-to-thirty different models, so there's a home for everyone. They have a lot of amenities. They have a pool. It's a gated community. They have a clubhouse for every kind of amenity you could think of. They have different clubs. They have a knitting club, a sewing club, all kinds of dancing, card games, and dinners. They're very well equipped with everything. However, I don't think they do a very fantastic job of caring for the grounds. For the personal homes, I don't think they're taking care of them that well -- for example, things like cutting the grass or removing the snow. There are a lot of rules and regulations. The number-one thing that I don't like about it is that you have to keep the garbage in your garage, and they don't allow you to have it outside, which I think is very unhealthy. I have taken this up with them many times. A lot of people are for it, and a lot of people are against it. But they tell you if you don't like the rules and regulations, then you don't move here, or you move out. That's the only thing I don't like about it. You're not allowed to have a shed, and you're not allowed to have a clothesline. They want everything very nice looking. It's a very nice-looking community. The people keep up their houses very, very well. That's why the community is so very well kept, so the only thing I don't like personally is the rules and regulations; there are a lot of rules I don't like."

"Spring Oaks was nice and clean. They offered a lot of activities for my mom which she needed. We liked that if she run out of money, they would accept what Medicaid would pay for. The rooms were pretty spacious. They had activities. "

"My parents will sign the lease for Leisure Village next week. It was very nice and well taken care of. They liked the area, have friends over there, and were more with their own age group. "

"The Pines at Whiting was very nice, and we really liked it. It seemed well managed and very clean. The rooms were medium sized. The people seemed to be happy. The dining area was nice. "

"I think the Heritage Village at Seabreeze was very nice. The staff answered all my questions, and they were very nice and polite. "

"Staff is helpful but hard to find. The building itself is quite new but the insides are boring and already outdated looking. The grounds are kept very nicely with lawn care provided. A few years back a security gate was added, which is more of a nuisance than an additional layer of security. My grandparents are in their late eighties and have absolutely no desire to move, but I wish there was a bit of a nicer place for them. They can afford a nicer place but are happy there because they have many friends and daily activities. There are social activities like BINGO, HAPPY HOOKERS, CHESS CLUB, POKER TOURNAMENTS etc weekly. These activities along with the ease of getting to and from the supermarket and pharmacy keep them happy enough to stay there for now. "

"We moved my brother to The Triton House. We like that it is very clean, they give good care, and the food is good. They watch TV and order pizza. There is a county bus that will take them to doctors' appointments, and there is also a doctor that visits. They are provided three meals a day and laundry services. "

"I have been a resident of Four Seasons at Mirage for several years now and like it. I like the fact that they do all the outside work, like shovel the snow, mow the grass, and fertilize everything. They have bingo once a week, do bus trips to New York or outside Philadelphia to a flower show, and have golf, bowling, and more. They don't have apartments, just individual homes, and mine is quite small but others are large. They don't offer anything like housekeeping; that's all on you or you can hire somebody. It's a gated community and the guards are very nice, as are the staff at the desk. They offer a lot to do. If you want to participate, you can, but if you don't, then they don't make you. I'm very happy there."

"We went to The Arbors. It was very nice. It was clean. The people seemed very nice. The staff that I saw seemed very nice. The facility looked nice and clean. We just went through it very quickly because there was COVID. Everybody was nice. We went in person, but we all had masks on. We really couldn't talk to anybody and there really wasn't a lot happening."

"Seabrook Senior Living is better than anything I ever imagined. It is very clean and they are very aware of the needs of seniors. They provide a lot of help if they need walking, balance assistance, or medical assistance since they have it all right there. So I find it very comforting to know I'll be going there. I thought the staff members were very, very young, but they're all professionals. I spoke with a financial person yesterday and a social worker, because they talk to you before you come in so that you don't feel strange there. And they recommend different things that you could do while you're there so that you're satisfied. They also provide doctors if anybody needs a new doctor, which I do because I'm changing my family doctor. I'm going to have a 1-bedroom apartment, and I'll have a little kitchen, a bedroom, and a living room. They do arts and crafts, bingo, an indoor swimming pool, and a gymnasium to work out. They have a bocce court and they have lovely walking paths around the pond so it's very convenient. You can also bring your car. I saw three or four different staff people. They were knowledgeable about what they were discussing with me like finances and my physical condition, and I would say they were adequate. The place is very attractive looking. You have a choice of two restaurants and you could also go to a little cafe that's in the building."

"Comstock Court does the best they can here, but this building is infested with roaches, rats, and everything else and it's just too overwhelming. There's a call bell when you need help. I pulled it one night when I fell on the side of the bed and I was on the floor for 3 hours. Thank God my daughter came over to see me. She was the one who helped me up. There's a backyard where you can barbecue or whatnot and a room that you could entertain in your company if you'd like. There are people that come into the pantry to bring food that is sometimes unworthy of them, but they also bring good stuff from the food bank. I got a one-bedroom and it's OK. I'm on the second floor and I get a nice view of the backyard of my neighbors. They are friendly neighbors."

"Heritage Village at Ocean is very scenic. When you come down the street leading to here, which is called Hidden Meadows Drive, both sides have trees and shrubs, no houses, no buildings. It's really nice and secluded. The apartments are very nice, and it's very quiet. I got a one-bedroom, and it's big. I got my own washer and dryer inside the apartment. I'm on the third floor, and they've got elevators. Everything is closed with this pandemic. They had a clubhouse and things to do, but you can't use them right now. I like it because it's very clean, very quiet, and the rent is in the area I want to spend. I've only seen a couple of people working here. There's no food service."

"I toured Brightview Eatontown a year ago. They were very helpful and very informative. I thought there was too much alcohol being served. There were snacks around. Maybe that was supposed to be helpful, but if you were diabetic, that would be a problem. A lot of people can't self-limit themselves. I thought the residents' rooms were very small, and that may be because they want people to be encouraged to leave their rooms. I just thought there was not enough room. I would feel claustrophobic. The place is very clean. They have a patio, but they don't have a pool to my knowledge. The patio was spacious. People were out there, and they were having an event."

"Meadow Lakes was a lovely community. They're very friendly, open, and have a very nice arrangement. The lady who gave us the tour was very nice, careful, and concerned. The apartments were quite comfortable. They were pretty good in size and they seemed to be in good shape. They had a very nice dining room, too. They have an auditorium where they do their programs, and they also have a pool."