Overall sentiment across the reviews is broadly positive but mixed, with a strong emphasis on the facility’s attractive physical environment and an active community life. Many reviewers describe The Renaissance of Florence (Brookdale-renamed in some comments) as a beautiful, high-end residence with lovely gardens, courtyard and walking trails, a large welcoming lobby with seating and a piano, and well-maintained seasonal landscaping. The building and apartments are frequently characterized as modern, roomy and tastefully remodeled; residents and families often highlight spacious apartment-style units and private living areas that can be furnished personally.
Staffing and care are recurring strengths in the reviews. A large number of families and residents praise frontline caregivers, med techs, nurses and activities staff as friendly, diligent and caring. Several reviews single out a long-tenured, passionate activities director and extracurricular team who provide a wide variety of daily programming — exercise classes (including chair aerobics), bible studies, games, group discussions, live music and concerts, outings, and more. Transportation to appointments and shopping is commonly provided and appreciated; other on-site conveniences noted include a hair salon, therapy dog visits, library nooks and multiple places to gather. Several reviewers also mention an on-site nurse and multi-level staffing (care partners with a nurse, wellness director), which supported positive health outcomes and prompt responses for many residents.
Dining and food services generate mixed feedback. Numerous reviewers praise the food as excellent, nourishing and delicious, while a substantial subset report issues: meals described as tough or dry, repetitions on menus, and a decline in dining experience after changes attributed to rebranding (Brookdale rename) — such as the removal of a salad bar and loss of restaurant-style selectable dining. Renovations and staffing reductions were cited as contributing to temporary delivery of meals to rooms and decreased service. These dining shifts have led some families to feel the value has diminished relative to cost.
Facilities, cleanliness and maintenance generally receive favorable remarks (clean common areas, tidy grounds, comfortable dining hall), but there are isolated reports of inconsistent room cleanliness and specific maintenance issues (for example, bathroom fixtures reportedly stuck to the floor). Remodeling and updating are ongoing priorities, and many reviewers appreciate the attention to keeping common areas refreshed. The property’s social environment is often described as warm and home-like, fostering friendships and community involvement; nevertheless, a few newcomers reported initial difficulty integrating and mentioned that existing residents were not always welcoming at first.
Notable concerns center on management, safety and value. Several reviewers raise alarms about leadership—describing poor management, lack of empathy from leadership, weak communication with families, and high staff turnover at times. Safety-related issues appear in some accounts: reported falls, delayed assistance to calls, nonstandard safety buttons, and occasional wandering or residents leaving unsupervised. A few reviews mention serious allegations such as theft of money. Cost is another clear divergence: while some residents find the community affordable and a good value (larger rooms at competitive prices), others describe significant price increases and feel the facility is overpriced relative to service levels, especially where dining or staffing have been reduced.
In summary, The Renaissance of Florence consistently appears to be an attractive, activity-rich assisted living community with many compassionate frontline staff, robust programming and pleasant grounds that promote an engaged lifestyle for independent and moderately assisted residents. The main caveats for prospective residents and families are management stability, transparency around staffing levels and dining services, and suitability for those with higher medical or assistance needs. Families considering this community should verify current nursing coverage and response protocols, clarify recent or planned management or dining changes, review safety systems (call buttons, fall prevention), ask about staffing continuity, and confirm financial terms and recent price adjustments. For socially active, mobile residents or those needing standard assisted living support, the facility appears to offer a very positive environment; for highly dependent residents or families prioritizing consistent clinical oversight and robust emergency response, further due diligence is recommended.
