Colonial Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

I loved Colonial Gardens. The apartments were big, and there were outdoor spaces that you could walk around in. The place was in excellent condition. The only drawback about them was that they didn't have full kitchens, just a large refrigerator and a small sink. They said that we could bring a microwave if we wanted to. It's independent living, so they only have an on-site manager and someone who works in the kitchen, so you really have to be totally independent to live there. The dining area looked nice.

Colonial Gardens has been great. It is very nice and very clean and has good management. They are very kind to people and doing everything they can to make my parents comfortable. They have given my parents a guest suite and have gone out of their way to make things right for them. We ate with my parents there today, and food was very nice.

I visited Colonial Gardens. They had little houses with a couple of rooms, kitchen, and driveway or a garage. It's a beautiful place inside, but they didn't have many activities, just a small library. The people who took us around were nice and accommodating. The food was very good, and the dining area was beautiful. There wasn't a medical staff, and they need to have that.

We have selected Colonial Gardens Gracious Retirement Living. It is more independent living, and my dad is not ready for completely assisted. It offers cleaning services, meal preparations, and everything on-site. He has the ability to keep his car. There aren't any nurses on staff, which he doesn’t need at this time. They have a salon, a theater, a gym, pool tables, a game room, and an activity room.

Colonial Gardens consistently raised the rent, and at the same time, the service level was going down. I didn’t like them. It was a new building, but I would call the staff uncooperative.

I am going to Colonial Gardens Beverly. When I first went there, it seemed overpowering because it was so gorgeous, and I was not expecting that. They have a movie theater there, an exercise room, a gorgeous library, and big couches to sit and be comfortable. I could go on and on, but I mean it is just a beautiful place. I was so overwhelmed that by the time we got through, they were going to show me to the apartment and I was like in a haze; I was just overcome by the whole thing. Most of the apartments were a studio. The one-bedroom was very expensive. They opened the door of the studio, and I just looked; I didn't even want to walk in because it just looked very tiny. I did not even give it a chance, and I walked away. When we got downstairs I apologized to them and I said this place is so beautiful that I just was overcome with it and I have to come back another time and look at it. It was so cozy, and I just loved it. I cannot wait to get up there. I saw people in the computer room using the computers, I saw people in the library reading, I have seen them all at lunch, and the lunch area was beautiful. They were having exercise classes, and that is something I really need. They have classes, trips -- everything. So you are busy all day long if you choose, so what do you need a big apartment for? I just recently found an apartment there, and I loved it. It was one room, but it was a big room with big windows, sunshine, and beautiful carpeting. It was just great. The only drawback is that if you find one that you like, they let you put a deposit on it, and they will hold it for you, but that down payment will only last a month; unless you pay anymore money, it becomes free for anybody else that wants it. So that is what I am not happy about, and I am just hoping that when I am ready to move in, it is going to be available.

Colonial Gardens Gracious Retirement Living was the best one that I saw. It had a lot of activities. I talked to the activities director and he seemed very nice. He told what was going on and what was to be coming up in the future and it just seemed a whole lot better. It didn't feel like a nursing home. It was different. I don't know how to explain it. If I were to make a choice, it would be that one. The staff seemed very nice. It was great. If someone needed to be in a facility, that's where I would send them.

Mom is going to Colonial Gardens. It's a beautiful facility. It looks like a cruise ship inside. It looks lovely, comfortable, friendly and supportive. The staff seemed wonderful.