The Best Independent Living Communities in Albany County, NY

"Both my parents live at Avila Retirement Community now, and they like it. It's very good for them. It was getting hard for them to be independent in their own home. There was just too much work, so it was easier to stay independent in a place where they had less work, and they were grateful to have a place to go. They visited it years ago, and only when COVID came did they make the decision to move in. The staff is nice and attentive. They like the food, but they also do their own cooking. They're in a very large, very bright apartment with big windows, and it's very sunny. They like their apartment, but they also like their neighbors a lot. One of their neighbors organizes activities and things on their floor, so they have a girls' night at least once a month. My dad goes to jazz night once a month -- it's live jazz concerts -- and he loves it. It's always clean, and when I visit, my mom is always telling me I should pick up tips from their landscaper. I have no complaints with the staff. The social worker they met with when they arrived was excellent. It's a little bit pricy, but I don't think they feel that it's bad."

"I did a tour of The Beltrone Living Center, and I like it very much. I took pictures, and the girl who gave the tour was great. They were just finishing their COVID clinic. They could go to some of the area restaurants, and that people can order out. Bags of food had arrived, and they were waiting to get their food because I was there late in the afternoon. I like the apartment, it's very spacious, light, and clean. But they don't have housekeeping, you have to hire somebody to come in. They have a dining room, and the grounds are lovely. They are right near the Crossing's Park in Colony, and right on the property, they have a couple of lakes. I was very impressed with it, and it's very affordable. I talked to my mother, she hasn't seen any of the pictures yet, but I said to her, "I like this place too", she said, "Oh, maybe I'll go see that." It's going to be tough because my mother does not like that community, as people in her business. They are beautiful, and well-maintained. Their staff, Rachel was wonderful."

"I'm going to be moving into Ohav Sholom Apartments. The staff is very competent. The price of course is the deciding factor as well as the cleanliness of the facility. I'll be on the 6th floor. It's a 1-bedroom unit and very spacious. There is ample transportation to all local areas like, grocery stores, banks; all within very close proximity. This is an independent living option, and I'll be doing all my own cooking, etc. There is a small grocery store on site for any eventuality that you may need and there are also laundry facilities. Everything is right there. "

"I have made a deposit to get on the waiting list for Beverwyck. First of all, it is not going to be expensive, but there are a number of people I know who are there already, and they have gone through the process of waiting. So in terms of compatibility, I am content. I have to get more information about the particular programs they offer, but knowing the people that I know there, they would not be there if they were not getting what they wanted. They will transport you to shopping and doctors' appointments, and they have a pool and an exercise area. That is my understanding; that's a limited knowledge of what they do, but that is what I know. I went to a place in Kentucky when I first went down there and what I most observed was a new couple to the place sitting in the lobby, looking absolutely lost. I understand what happens and, in this case, if I go in to Beverwyck -- and I expect that I will -- I would know easily ten couples. My impression is that it is physically attractive, that it is expanding quickly, and even while expanding the waiting list is still difficult. I would say it is a 5; I trust it is. Because I am not there, I am judging it from the outside. "

"My parents lived at Beverwyck for about 10 years, and I was very impressed by the facilities and the caring, committed staff. Staff always knew them by name and were always aware of any major health challenges they faced. Their unit was extremely nice and they were able to live independently but also have meals in the dining area whenever they wished. They made many close, long-term friends at Beverwyck, as there were lots of activities for residents. I can't say enough good things about the Beverwyck and will look for a similar place for myself when the time comes."

"I loved Hearthstone Village. I went there last year and loved it. They had a pool, a balcony, and everything there. At first, I had gone to a girl named Allison, and I bonded with her. I liked her. I was just not as comfortable with the gentleman who toured me around last time. Their prices were just too high, too."

"My husband and I toured King Thiel Senior Community. We went and looked at things that they had, and floor plans. My husband and I live in quite a large house, our health is not good, and we needed someplace to downsize. They have gyms and they have laundry facilities on each floor if you don't want a washer and dryer. They have a podiatrist and a physical therapist on staff. The staff was so kind, so caring, and so attentive. They answered every single question. We were there for quite a while talking with them and they took the time with us and explained everything, and we were quite impressed. They have many community activities. They offer golf, bocce, and cornhole. They have raised garden beds if you like to garden. They have every kind of craft room. They take you to all different activities, and to the doctors. There's just nothing that my husband and I would have to leave the building for if we didn't want to."

"We've visited several places and Shaker Point at Carondelet has become our choice. It's very, very self-contained with a lot of activities, but it's pricey. The rooms have all sizes, but they tend to be rather large and airy. The food was very good. We only met the staff members that were showing us around. They have physical fitness type activities, they have a swimming pool, and they have a calendar of events that they show, including movies, operas, and get-togethers. The room was spacious, we saw a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment."

"I'm in Delmar Rehab right now. I have been very happy, and I have never had any real problem here. They're very understanding. I have had occupational as well as physical therapy, and they are very conscious of it. I have gained a lot of weight over the last few years, and I have lost a lot of weight since I have been here, so as far as I'm concerned, they're very good. I think the staff is very good. The physical therapy is outstanding. They're very caring and very understanding, and they're good listeners, too. If you have any problems -- pain or anything -- they're right on top of it. If I feel like I'm hungry, I can get a sandwich, cookies, or something. I did a lot of my rehab in the room because of COVID, and they wouldn't let you into the hallways. Last month, since COVID is not in the building anymore, they opened the gym, and they have chairs, bicycles, and other exercise things in there, so if you are able to, they will get you on the bike. I also started to be able to walk in the hallways as long as I wear my mask. They're very, very good. Now that the weather is nice, I have seen people outside, and they are able to walk around the building."

"We have chosen Pinnacle Living at Forts Ferry for my parents. They haven't moved in yet, but we have put a deposit on the room. I thought it was lovely, it was a nice size, the people were very nice, and I thought that they would be very comfortable there. They have full kitchens because it's independent living. They can cook in their own homes. They don't provide meals. From what I've seen, I'm very happy with the place. They have a library, a pool, a workout room, a sauna, gathering rooms, and an art room. They have barbecues and outside space and plants like you could do gardening, and they have garages. They have transportation and activities, and they bring people in and entertain them. They have all kinds of stuff."

"Summit at Mill Hill was very nice. It offers a lot of programs for the seniors. The person that toured me was the community manager, and she was very knowledgeable about the programs that they offer and the apartments that they offer. I didn't observe a lot of activities going on, but from their calendar they had a lot of activities. I did especially like that they had many exercise and fitness groups offered. I saw the exercise rooms. I was particularly glad to see that they offered a chapel, which many facilities do not. The prices were pretty high."

"I toured Summit At Eastwyck, but I did not see the room itself because they don't have one available right now. I did see the floor plan and the community rooms in the facility. They were both well done and were being used. The staff had done a good job with both designing and setting up and conducting the activities that they had going on. They were very friendly and helpful."

"I am a resident of The Spinney at Van Dyke. I like the apartment setups. They are all like one floor, cottage style, no elevators, none of that stuff. The front and back, it's nice and comfortable. They have a lot of programs, but I'm not really into that. They have a small gym, a clubhouse, and a swimming pool. The maintenance is very nice. Everything is very pleasant. If something goes wrong you just call the office and somebody comes over and takes care of it. The problem is that it is very expensive and it's very hard to be living on a fixed income and live here. So, far as that goes, the rent is high."

"We are very impressed with Beechwood at Eddy Memorial. It is very good, and the people are very friendly. In fact, I put a deposit down for a potential unit that we looked at. We had a meal there, and it was excellent. The layout and cleanliness was very good."