Overall sentiment across reviews of Avery Heights is strongly positive, with the majority of comments emphasizing a warm community, extensive activities, attractive campus amenities, and many examples of highly caring and professional staff. Residents and families frequently praise the social environment — an active independent living culture with friendly, upbeat residents, many social and volunteer opportunities, and plentiful programming (daily movies, religious services, group activities, and flexible programs). The campus itself is repeatedly described as beautiful, clean, and well maintained, with a walkable layout, appealing grounds, new pool, gym, theater, library, game room, and numerous common areas that foster community and socialization.
Staffing and care quality are among the most commonly lauded aspects. Numerous reviews call attention to staff who are compassionate, respectful, individualized in their attention, and willing to go above and beyond. Specific praise is given to rehab services and the social work team as being effective and responsive. Memory care is singled out as bright, clean, and staffed by personnel eager to include residents, with one reviewer naming the head of Burnham positively. Several reviewers described a high standard of service and prompt responses from clinical and administrative teams, and long-term residents report satisfaction with their care experience over many years.
Dining and activity offerings are another strong theme. Many residents enjoy the food and note the presence of an on-site chef and an upscale dining room with menu choices; some describe the food as excellent with two substantial meals per day and options like evening sandwiches and fresh fruit. At the same time a minority of reviewers find the menu repetitive or describe occasional middling meals (for example, one comment that lunch was “okay”). Programming is robust: organized activities, opportunities to volunteer, resident committees, movies, and religious services are all emphasized as regular and meaningful parts of daily life.
Housing and facilities comments show both strengths and trade-offs. Multiple reviewers praise spacious two-bedroom, two-bath apartments with balconies and good lighting, while others note that some cottages are small (one specifically cited as 625 sq ft) and that certain rooms can feel compact. The facility is generally well maintained and efforts to keep an aging building updated are noted; however, a few reviewers point out that parts of the campus show their age despite ongoing upkeep. The availability of multiple living levels (independent, assisted, memory) and on-site memory care are considered important advantages for residents thinking about future needs.
Management, cost, and consistency present mixed signals. Avery Heights’ reputation and non-profit status are positive markers for several reviewers, and some explicitly call it an excellent value. Resident involvement in committees and responsiveness of administration are also appreciated. Yet there are recurring comments about inconsistent communication — particularly during hospitalizations or care transitions — and reports of inconsistent staff performance across departments. Cost perceptions vary: some reviewers feel the community is more expensive than alternatives, while others consider it reasonable for the level of services provided. A few families reported that the care level did not meet specific needs in assisted living, indicating that prospective residents should carefully match clinical needs to the community’s care capabilities.
In summary, Avery Heights is viewed by most reviewers as a high-quality, socially rich senior living community with many desirable amenities, strong social programming, and numerous examples of exceptional, caring staff. Primary areas to probe further during a tour or meeting would be current staffing consistency in the specific unit of interest, communication procedures (especially around hospitalizations or acute care needs), dining variety over time, and exact costs relative to the particular apartment or cottage size being considered. Prospective residents and families will likely find Avery Heights attractive for independent living, with reassuring long-term care options on site, but should confirm that the level and consistency of hands‑on care match any specific medical or assisted‑living requirements.
