Overall sentiment toward Lakewood Christian Manor is mixed but leans positive on community, affordability, and staff while showing notable concerns about maintenance, pests, and occasional serious safety incidents. Many reviewers emphasize that the facility is a very good option for seniors on a fixed income — rent that is income-based and utilities included are repeatedly cited as strong advantages. A significant portion of comments praise the friendly, kind, and patient staff as well as helpful front desk volunteers; these human elements and the caring resident community are among the property's most consistent strengths.
Care quality and staff: Reviews repeatedly highlight compassionate, cheerful, and helpful staff and volunteers. Several reviewers used words like “awesome,” “kind,” and “patient,” indicating positive day-to-day interactions for residents and visitors. The presence of caring residents and a welcoming social environment adds to the perception of a supportive community. Where staff are responsive, residents appear satisfied with the quality of interpersonal care and customer service.
Facilities, apartments and services: The property is described as an older building but generally well maintained. Many residents report good-sized apartments, a quiet atmosphere, and a comfortable living environment. On-site conveniences and services are noted positively — examples include organized outings (store trips), movies, birthday parties, and practical services such as haircuts. The campus being gated and located conveniently near shopping centers and supermarkets is repeatedly mentioned as a convenience that benefits daily life. Several reviewers also note ongoing renovations and improvements, with long-term residents pleased at visible progress and newer-appartment occupants expressing love for their units.
Activities and community life: Social programming appears active and appreciated by many residents. Group activities and occasional outings help foster a sense of community and appear to contribute significantly to residents’ well-being. Multiple notes about birthday parties and outings indicate an engaged activities calendar that many residents enjoy.
Maintenance, cleanliness and safety concerns: Despite positive comments on cleanliness and maintenance from many reviewers, there are recurring and significant complaints that temper the overall picture. Frequent elevator outages and unreliable laundry machines are among the most common practical complaints, creating daily inconveniences and mobility issues for residents. Several reviewers report maintenance problems and slow fixes. Pest issues are a serious and recurring concern — roaches have been reported in the lobby and in at least some units, and hallway odors are also mentioned, which contradicts other reports of a “very clean” facility and points to uneven conditions across the property.
Serious incident and variability of experience: One reviewer reported a very serious incident — their husband was found dead in apartment 508 — a statement that raises questions about emergency response, monitoring, and communication. Separately, some reviewers expressed strong dissatisfaction, even saying “hate this place,” and uncertainty about recommending the facility to others. These outlier comments, together with reports of inconsistent maintenance and pest control, suggest that resident experience may vary significantly depending on unit condition, floor, or management responsiveness at specific times.
Bottom line and recommendation for prospective residents: Lakewood Christian Manor offers strong value for budget-conscious seniors, with friendly staff, an active community, useful on-site services, and a convenient location. However, prospective residents and their families should weigh these strengths against repeated operational issues: elevators, laundry, maintenance responsiveness, pest control, and the reported serious safety incident. Before deciding, visitors should (1) tour multiple apartments and common areas at different times of day, (2) ask management about pest-control protocols and recent inspection/remediation history, (3) verify elevator and laundry maintenance schedules and average repair times, (4) inquire about emergency procedures and monitoring for health/safety incidents, and (5) speak with current long-term residents about recent renovation progress. Doing this will help determine whether the property’s positive community and affordability outweigh the practical and safety concerns for a given individual.
