The Best Independent Living Communities in Albany County, NY

"I liked Sweetwood of Williamstown. Williamstown is a college town that offers lots of stuff to do and lots of restaurants, and the town itself is great. The dining area was shaped differently than other places but still very nice. The wait staff was also very nice. "

"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. "

"We toured Beverwyck. What I liked best about it was how warm and friendly it was. Linda was very nice. She was so easy to talk to and very friendly. The place was so warm and cozy. We even talked to one of the cleaning people there who were just so friendly and upbeat. I loved the way they had the place decorated for fall and for me, probably they decorate it for all different seasons. What I liked least about it was that it was not all on one floor. It was two stories. So you didn't have to use an elevator, but you didn't have to go down very long halls or anything, and that was nice. We saw a couple of empty rooms that had been cleared out, repainted, and cleaned. They looked nice and clean, with lovely views. I love the gardens they have. They have beautiful gardens and places to sit in the sunshine and be able to watch birds and so forth, maybe wildlife."

"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."

"I'm in Summit at Mill Hill. It's really, really nice. The staff is wonderful. I'm happy with it. I've been here about a month now. I just can't believe how caring, considerate, and helpful they are. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I get rides to the doctors, and that means a lot. They care about you. If they don't see you for a few days, someone will knock on your door. I like the music the most. They had karaoke one night, and it was really good. I got up and sang, and they loved it. They were dancing that night. A lady in a wheelchair got up and danced with her husband. I'm on the ground floor. I don't have to climb stairs, so that's really good. I'm right next to the parking lot, too, so I only had a little ways to move the heavy furniture. It was easy for me to move. I haven't used the options for dinners yet, but they have potluck dinners: each person brings something to eat. I haven't done that yet because I'm kind of busy. I haven't tried the swimming pool or exercise yet, but they look good. They have water aerobics and tai chi. They have a lot to choose from. I'm going to try them this week. The exercise program sounds good. They have a swimming pool, a sauna, and a hot tub, but I haven't used those yet. They play games. I can't say anything bad about it at all. I just got lucky. I would like to tell people that it's a good facility. The staff members go above and beyond. Joan and Meg are outstanding. Joan helped me to put my cable together beyond their cutoff. (Their cutoff was 6:00 and she stayed until 6:40.) It's like paradise. They go the extra mile. I get continental breakfast that is included every day. Otherwise, I haven't tried the food. You can buy pot pies or something if you want, but I don't know where they come from. I went to a party where they catered the food, and that was outstanding. The shrimp was baked and moist, and the baked macaroni and cheese was really excellent. It is expensive, but it's well worth it. I'm happy. I have a friend who plays guitar, and we're going to do a sing-along at 3:00 p.m. in the community room. Meg will print the words of the songs so people can sing along. That's what I said about extra mile. It's excellent. I could see right away that people cared about the people who live there. They care about each other. I don't have one critique. I highly recommend it."

"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."