Friendly Valley - Senior Living Community

    19345 Ave Of The Oaks, Santa Clarita, CA, 91321
    4.4 · 32 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    3.0

    Lovely community, but management issues

    I moved in 2022 and sold in 2024 - overall it's a quiet, clean, well-kept 55+ gated golf community with beautiful grounds, mid-century homes, lots of classes, walking and golfing, friendly neighbors, helpful 24-hour guards and pleasant staff. I made great friends, enjoyed craft fairs and amenities, and never worried about safety or parking. That said, management can be evasive and even abusive, and recurring infrastructure problems (water, sewer, electrical, tree roots) plus exposed carports and aging buildings made it a poor investment for my age group. If you want an active, secure, long-term community and can tolerate older maintenance issues, it's a lovely place; otherwise be cautious.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.44 · 32 reviews

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      4.4
    • Staff

      3.5
    • Meals

      4.4
    • Amenities

      4.0
    • Value

      4.5

    Pros

    • Beautiful, well-maintained grounds and landscaping
    • Friendly, tight-knit community and nice neighbors
    • 24-hour gated community with on-site security guards
    • Helpful and friendly office and security staff
    • Golf course and pitch-and-putt on-site
    • Wide range of activities and classes (craft fairs, walking, golfing)
    • Clean, minimalistic mid-century homes and common areas
    • Affordable pricing with HOA benefits
    • Long-term satisfied residents and stable community feel
    • Plenty of parking and functional, well-run operations

    Cons

    • Reports of abusive, unresponsive, or 'hush-hush' management
    • Infrastructure problems (water, sewer, electrical issues)
    • Tree root damage and aging site infrastructure
    • Aging homes and facilities that need updates
    • Security vulnerabilities in carports exposing residents' property
    • Mixed investment value for younger 55–70 buyers (reported resale)
    • Occasional disturbing noise (e.g., church gongs) or depressing elements
    • Inconsistent sense of security — valley may be less secure despite guards

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the provided reviews is predominantly positive about the lifestyle and community aspects at Friendly Valley - Senior Living Community, with repeated praise for the grounds, social life, and security personnel. Many reviewers emphasize the beautiful, well-maintained landscaping, mid-century homes with a clean, minimalistic look, and the presence of a golf course (including pitch-and-putt) as central amenities. Multiple people described the community as quiet, safe, and nicely maintained; several long-term residents expressed strong satisfaction (one noted residency since 1986), and others called it an absolutely wonderful and affordable place to live with useful HOA benefits.

    Staff and security are commonly highlighted as strengths. Reviews frequently mention friendly office staff and helpful, pleasant security guards at the 24-hour guard house or gated entrance. These personnel contribute to a perception of safety and order for many residents. At the same time, there are contradictory notes: while many praise the security presence, a few reviews called out security vulnerabilities (for example, carports that leave residents' property exposed) or suggested the wider valley may have safety concerns despite on-site guards.

    Facilities and amenities generate a lot of positive commentary. The golf course and active recreational opportunities are a recurring draw; residents enjoy golfing, walking, and community events such as craft fairs (noted as occurring twice a year) and a variety of classes. The community is depicted as social and friendly, with frequent references to enjoyable group activities, birthday parties, and strong neighborly connections. Parking is ample, the grounds are well kept, and many residents appreciate the peaceful, private environment.

    However, significant negative patterns emerge around management and infrastructure. Some reviewers report problems with management behavior and responsiveness—terms used include "abusive management," "hush hush," and "no help"—suggesting occasional poor administrative communication or service. Infrastructure concerns are repeatedly mentioned: water, sewer, and electrical problems, tree root damage, and a general sense of an aging development that needs updates. Several reviewers described homes as "a little old" or "aging," and one reviewer who moved in 2022 reportedly sold in 2024, implying potential issues with resale or fit for younger seniors (55–70). These complaints contrast sharply with the many positive remarks and should be weighed seriously by prospective residents.

    Notable anecdotes in the reviews highlight that the community has personality and quirks—examples include midnight golf with glow-in-the-dark balls and mention of church gongs that some found depressing. These signal that while the social culture is lively for many, there are subjective elements that may not appeal to everyone. Dining and clinical care were not addressed in these summaries, indicating either they are not central to residents' experience in this independent/55+ community or they were simply not commented on in the provided excerpts.

    In summary, Friendly Valley appears to offer a well-kept, socially active, and largely secure senior living environment with attractive outdoor amenities and a strong sense of community. The primary cautions from the reviews center on management responsiveness and aging infrastructure, including specific utility and structural issues and occasional security gaps around carports. Prospective residents should visit in person, speak with current residents about management and maintenance responsiveness, and investigate any recent infrastructure repairs or plans for upgrades before deciding, especially if they are in the younger 55–70 buying cohort or are concerned about resale value.

    Location

    Map showing location of Friendly Valley - Senior Living Community

    About Friendly Valley - Senior Living Community

    Friendly Valley - Senior Living Community sits in Santa Clarita, California, and serves people aged 55 and older who want an adult living center with a focus on golf, recreation, and care for seniors. The community has two private golf courses-one's a nine-hole executive course, the other's an 18-hole pitch and putt-plus a golf driving range, so people who like the game have options. The place is fully gated with a guard at the entrance, which adds a layer of security for those living there. Most homes come with enclosed patio sunrooms and have solar panels with a whole-house battery storage setup, so there's extra peace of mind if the power goes out. The HOA dues cover cable and internet. There's both independent and assisted living, along with nursing care, and services for people needing memory care, so residents can usually stay as their needs change.

    If you like activities, the staff and residents organize daily things to do, like movie nights, music programs, and walking clubs. There's an auditorium that can seat 400 for big events and has space for up to 300 to dine, and there are separate card rooms for men and women, a fitness center you can use any day, a billiard room, bumper pool, and darts. The outdoor grounds include a basketball court, lawn bowling area, shuffleboard, picnic and barbecue area, walking paths, swimming pool, spa, and park-like open spaces where people can gather. The clubhouse is often used for community gatherings.

    They aim to promote social connections, so there's communal dining with restaurant-style meals, and you'll find meals prepared by a chef, including allergy-sensitive choices. Residents can get help with bathing, dressing, and moving between areas, and a 24-hour call system connects them to health support anytime. Housekeeping, laundry, concierge, and family support services make daily life easier, and furnished rooms come with private bathrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, cable TV, and kitchenettes. Emergency alert systems and a wellness room are on site.

    Healthcare runs close by, with clinics, a pharmacy, and urgent care in the area. The community also sponsors arts rooms, game spaces, a library, and a calendar of activities for people to join, so there's hardly ever a dull week. They offer transportation and parking services for when people need to get out or have guests. Friendly Valley is a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)-meaning residents can move from independent to assisted living or memory care as their needs change, and nursing care is available on the same property.

    The condos date back to 1963 and sit on just over seven and a half acres, with country club-type amenities and a general approach toward providing for many kinds of needs, from healthcare to daily recreation, and a secure, supportive place where seniors can live as actively, and as independently, as possible.

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