The Atrium At the Cedars

    640 Ocean Ave, Portland, ME, 04103
    4.9 · 9 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    5.0

    Spotless facility with caring staff

    I live here and couldn't be happier - the staff are warm, attentive and genuinely caring (the ambassador program made the move easy and my mother is very happy). The apartments are lovely and customizable (I have a roomy two-bedroom with full kitchen) and the facility is spotless: indoor pool, fitness center, movie theater, library, gardens and big common areas. There's always something going on - exercise and water aerobics, music and cultural events, outings with a transport van/driver - and dining is restaurant-quality with many daily choices and meal plans. The one downside is a large upfront cost, but I highly recommend this community for its care, active lifestyle and fantastic food.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.89 · 9 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      4.7
    • Staff

      5.0
    • Meals

      4.6
    • Amenities

      4.3
    • Value

      4.9

    Pros

    • Warm, attentive and caring staff
    • Ambassador program for new residents
    • Restaurant-quality dining with multiple daily choices
    • Meal plan options (three choices / ~30 meals per month)
    • Well-maintained facility and attractive grounds
    • Indoor pool and water aerobics
    • On-site movie theater
    • Private dining room for family events
    • Gardens, greenhouse, and screened-in porch
    • Active social calendar with trips and local outings
    • Fitness center and exercise classes
    • Transportation van and driver for appointments and grocery runs
    • Spacious, customizable apartments (including two-bedroom units and full kitchens)
    • Large common areas (library, game room, big communal lounge)
    • Ability to accommodate assisted living and memory care needs
    • Regular resident-focused social events (e.g., monthly birthday wine & cheese)
    • Convenient location
    • Strong overall recommendations from multiple reviewers

    Cons

    • Large upfront cost / affordability concerns
    • Some reviewers wanted more dining variety or options
    • Perceived as higher-end which may not suit all budgets or preferences
    • A few reviewers not ready to move (timing/decision hesitation)

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews for The Atrium At the Cedars is strongly positive, with a consistent emphasis on high-quality staff, excellent meals, a wide range of amenities, and an active social environment. Multiple reviewers described the staff as warm, caring, attentive and knowledgeable. The presence of an ambassador program for new residents was noted as a thoughtful touch that helps people acclimate. Several comments highlighted specific caregiving strengths — reviewers used phrases like "fantastic care" and "quality service" and reported that family members (for example, a mother) were happy and well-looked-after, indicating trust in both the staff and clinical support available on-site. The ability to accommodate assisted living and memory care needs was mentioned, suggesting a continuum of care that can support residents as needs change.

    Facilities and common spaces receive repeated praise. The property is described as well-kept and attractive, with gardens, a greenhouse, and a screened-in porch contributing to pleasant outdoor spaces. Notable indoor amenities include an indoor pool used for water aerobics, a movie theater, a fitness center, a library, a game room, and sizeable communal gathering areas. There is also a private dining room for family events, which reviewers pointed out as a convenience for hosting visitors. Overall, reviewers conveyed that the building and grounds are maintained to a high standard and offer diverse places for both socializing and quieter activities.

    Dining is a standout theme: multiple reviewers called the food "restaurant-quality" and praised the variety available, with several noting three meal choices and mentions of a 30-meal-per-month plan for some residents. Specific positive details — such as very good lunches, good sandwiches, cafe-style options, and monthly social touches like a birthday wine-and-cheese gathering — reinforce the impression of attentive food service and social dining experiences. A few reviewers did express a desire for even more dining variety, but the majority framed the food as a major asset and a highlight of the community.

    The activity and social program is described as lively and varied. Reviewers cited frequent activities including music and cultural events, exercise classes, organized trips around the area, and community gatherings. Transportation support is robust in reviewers' accounts: a transportation van for outings and a driver for appointments and grocery runs were specifically mentioned, which many reviewers found to be a practical and valued service. These offerings support an active, engaged lifestyle and make day-to-day logistics easier for residents who may no longer drive.

    Apartment features and customization options were reported favorably. Units are described as nice and appropriately sized for independent living, with two-bedroom options and full kitchens available. Reviewers appreciated the ability to customize apartment colors, signaling a degree of personalization. Common observations highlighted spaciousness in common areas and overall apartment comfort, which contributes to the impression of a higher-end independent living community.

    On management and costs, reviews praised the facility’s management and operations, framing the community as well-run. However, cost is the primary recurring concern: several reviewers mentioned a large upfront cost and general affordability concerns. One reviewer explicitly described the community as "higher class," and another noted they were "not ready to move," which suggests that while many find the community desirable, the pricing and timing considerations may limit who chooses to move in. Aside from cost, there were no repeated criticisms about staffing, safety, or upkeep.

    In summary, The Atrium At the Cedars is portrayed as a well-managed, amenity-rich senior living community with particularly strong marks for staff warmth and attentiveness, high-quality dining, and a robust activity and transportation program. The facility’s physical environment — indoor pool, theater, gardens, private dining, and roomy common areas — supports an active and comfortable lifestyle, and reviewers frequently recommend the community. The main caveat raised in multiple summaries is cost: the community appears to skew higher-end and requires a significant upfront investment, which may make it less accessible for some prospective residents despite the clear strengths in care, services, and lifestyle options.

    Location

    Map showing location of The Atrium At the Cedars

    About The Atrium At the Cedars

    The Atrium At the Cedars sits at 640 Ocean Ave in Portland, Maine, and offers several living options for older adults, like independent living, assisted living, and memory care, along with skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation. The community has private one and two-bedroom apartments and household-style private suites in areas like the Sam L Cohen Households and The Lunder Memory Care Household, letting people pick what feels right for them, and the rooms include modern touches like cable TV, kitchenettes, high ceilings with crown molding, washers and dryers, and fully-applianced kitchens, and every space is designed with both safety and accessibility in mind, like handicap features and a sprinkler system. Nurses and caregivers are on hand at all hours to help with daily needs such as bathing, medication, dressing, toileting, and diabetic monitoring, but the staff also includes an on-site medical director and specialists in wound care, therapy, and hospice, while incontinence care is available for residents who manage it themselves. The community supports people needing more help with moving, offers standby assist for transfers, and has respite care and day programs for those with memory concerns, like the Mindful Connections program. The property is two stories and provides secure entrances, guest parking, and plenty of room for gathering indoors and out-lounges, a library, computer room, game room, screened porches, and a greenhouse, plus a fitness center and pool for exercise. Nutritious meals made by chefs are served daily in the dining room and café, making things easier and giving a space for residents to meet and talk, while housekeeping, laundry, dry cleaning, maintenance, and transportation are all available. Residents can participate in a wide range of social, cultural, and wellness activities, from arts and crafts to fitness, guest speakers, health programs, and even off-site devotional services and intergenerational events, and there are special programs in memory care for those with Alzheimer's or other cognitive challenges. The Atrium allows pets and supports an easygoing, friendly environment where staff are noted as joyful and helpful, and the building always aims to stay welcoming and calm, with elegant common areas open for visiting, reflection, or special events. Outpatient and inpatient therapies, including for medically complex needs, are provided at specialized centers like the Sam L Cohen Rehabilitation Center and the Hoffman Center, and residents can use outpatient services for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Residents with long-term care insurance are welcome, and senior apartments are available for those looking for simpler, maintenance-free living. The property has won several awards for its resident activities and community spirit, and programming keeps people busy, moving, and connected. The care model puts the resident at the center, aiming to give help when needed but always in a way that supports privacy and dignity, no matter the level of independence or memory support required.

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