Pricing ranges from
    $6,665 – 7,998/month

    The Woods - Retirement Community

    197 Howe St, Methuen, MA 01844
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living

    Pricing

    Prices shown are estimates and subject to change. Contact your senior living advisor for current pricing.

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Coordination with health care providers
    • Hospice waiver
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining

    Room

    • Air-conditioning
    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Internet
    • Kitchenettes
    • Private bathrooms
    • Spa
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Memory care community services

    • Dementia waiver
    • Specialized memory care programming

    Transportation

    • Community operated transportation
    • Located close to restaurants
    • Located close to shopping centers
    • Transportation arrangement (medical)
    • Transportation arrangement (non-medical)
    • Transportation to doctors appointments

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor patio
    • Outdoor space
    • Pet friendly
    • Small library
    • Wellness center

    Community services

    • Concierge services
    • Fitness programs
    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Planned day trips
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    4.73·(64)

    Overall rating

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

      4.0
    • Staff

      4.5
    • Meals

      3.9
    • Amenities

      4.7
    • Value

      3.8

    Pros

    • Brand-new, well-maintained facilities
    • Attractive landscaping and grounds
    • Spacious, bright apartment layouts
    • In-unit full kitchen and washer/dryer
    • Accessible walk-in showers and safety features
    • Multiple pleasant dining venues
    • Accommodations for special diets
    • Extensive on-site amenities (movie theater, chapel, tavern)
    • Diverse recreational options (bocce, pickleball, Wii bowling)
    • Active social programming and field trips
    • Engaged, friendly and attentive staff
    • Resident-driven clubs and initiatives
    • Weekly housekeeping service
    • Convenient location near shops and medical facilities
    • Full-size appliances and quality finishes (granite countertops)

    Cons

    • Inconsistent dining quality and meal-service reliability
    • Variable housekeeping and unit-level cleanliness
    • Management turnover and inconsistent leadership communication
    • Affordability pressure and periodic rent increases
    • Disconnected building layout requiring outdoor transit between buildings
    • Activity-programming inconsistency and unmet expectations
    • Staffing variability affecting responsiveness and service speed
    • Limited on-site higher-acuity care options
    • Parking availability constraints

    Summary of reviews

    The Woods presents as a modern, amenity-rich independent living community with many reviewers praising its new construction, well-maintained grounds, and bright, spacious apartment designs. Units frequently receive positive mention for full kitchens, in-unit washers and dryers, accessible walk-in showers, balconies, and upscale finishes. Shared spaces — including a large dining room, movie theater, chapel, tavern/happy hour area, library, and multiple activity rooms — contribute to a resort-like environment and a strong first impression for prospective residents.

    Staff and care experience is a prominent strength in many accounts: front-desk personnel, directors, and maintenance teams are commonly described as welcoming, attentive, and personable, with staff often knowing residents by name and engaging in proactive problem-solving. The community’s focus is clearly on independent living; while staff are regarded as supportive, reviewers indicate that the campus is primarily oriented toward residents who do not require substantial assisted- or skilled-nursing services. Families with escalating care needs should confirm available higher-acuity services and transition plans.

    Dining and food service elicit mixed feedback. Numerous reviewers compliment the quality, variety, and dietary accommodations — lively dining rooms, multiple entrée choices, and special-diet flexibility are cited as positives. At the same time, there are repeated concerns about inconsistent meal preparation and service: understaffed shifts, long waits, occasional cold or overcooked dishes, and order mix-ups were described. These operational gaps appear to be episodic but sufficiently common that prospective residents should ask for current staffing patterns and sample meal service during a visit.

    The activity program and amenities are a major draw: reviewers highlight robust programming (classes, outings, bingo, cornhole teams), extensive recreational options (bocce, pickleball, gym, art room), and frequent social opportunities. However, a pattern emerges where advertised activities are not always available on schedule, and some outdoor facilities (e.g., courts) may be underutilized. Confirming the weekly activity calendar and the community’s follow-through on promised programming is advisable.

    Operationally, several practical concerns recur. Reviewers describe variability in housekeeping and unit-level cleanliness, occasional maintenance lapses, and isolated sanitation/cleaning issues that merit inspection at move-in. Management change and staff turnover have been mentioned as contributing to shifts in community culture and service consistency; this dynamic appears to affect resident–management relations in some accounts. Affordability is another consistent theme — starting rents can be high relative to alternatives, with additional concerns about rent increases and price differentials between buildings. The physical campus layout requires residents to move between buildings outdoors for some services, which may be inconvenient in winter months.

    In sum, The Woods is well suited to independent seniors seeking a newly built, activity-rich community with attentive, personable staff and a wide array of amenities. Prospective residents and families should prioritize direct verification of current dining operations, housekeeping standards, activity availability, long-term cost trajectory, parking arrangements, and on-site care options if future needs may evolve. Scheduling a meal service observation and speaking with current residents about recent management changes will help assess whether the community’s operational patterns align with individual priorities.

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    Location

    The Woods - Retirement Community is located at 197 Howe St, Methuen, MA, 01844.

    About The Woods - Retirement Community

    The Woods - Retirement Community sits right across from the Merrimack Valley Golf Club and opened new facilities in February 2020, so everything feels modern and clean with wide hallways and comfortable common areas where you can just sit back or meet up with friends for cards or a movie. The grounds are always tidy, with gardens, pretty courtyards, and walking paths where you can take your dog since pets are welcome-cats too, which is good for folks who want company. The apartments come in several layouts, including one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, and you get your own washer and dryer, which saves time and keeps things simple, and people talk about Magnolia House as being a nice option. The lease is month-to-month, which leaves things flexible, and there's a special EZ Move Program with Seniors Need so moving in goes smoother. The community supports independent living, assisted living, nursing home services, and memory care all in one place, so if you or your spouse ever need more help, you can just shift to another level without leaving the property, and that makes life easier to plan.

    Dining is a big deal here, because there's 24/7 restaurant-style service with meals cooked by an Executive Chef using fresh food, and you can eat in pleasant dining rooms or cozy lounges. Residents can also grill outside at the open-air grill area with shiny appliances or sit by the fire pit or gazebo when it's nice out, and for those who want to stay active, there's a putting green, pickleball and bocce courts, plus a dog park. Social events like wine tasting or purpose workshops fill the calendar, along with day trips, bingo nights, movie nights, fitness classes, and tai chi, so folks have plenty to do and a chance to keep their minds and bodies in good shape.

    The Woods pays attention to wellness, with daily and weekly activities and a fitness center on site, plus a beauty salon, so you can always get your hair done nearby. There's a library, computer area, billiards, and card tables for quieter times, plus WiFi in the common areas if you like to keep up online. Each apartment has safeguards like pull cords and wearable pendants for quick staff help, and the air-filtering system removes many airborne germs, which is reassuring, especially for older folks. The staff is trained and friendly with people like the Executive Director, Health Services Director, and Life Enrichment Director staying involved, and all the different levels of care are licensed and on site.

    There's always free transportation if you need to go to the doctor, shop at local stores, or see a show, whether it's by the community shuttle or an Uber partnership, and family or friends can even stay in guest rooms and eat meals with you. Utilities, housekeeping once a week, maintenance, and concierge help are included, which takes the edge off everyday chores. The Sunshine Travel Program lets you visit sister communities in other cities and states for a change of scenery, joining local events and activities away from home. The Woods welcomes people who want an active retirement and independent lifestyle but also gives peace of mind knowing help and higher levels of care are right on hand if needed, and it's all set up so you can pursue hobbies, join clubs, relax in gardens, and hold gatherings with loved ones.

    About Sunshine Retirement Living

    The Woods - Retirement Community is managed by Sunshine Retirement Living.

    Founded in 2007 by Luis Serrano and May Hasso, Sunshine Retirement Living is a family-owned company headquartered in Bend, Oregon. Operating 39+ communities across 18 states, they specialize in affordable middle-market senior living with independent living, assisted living, and innovative memory care services.

    People often ask...

    The Woods - Retirement Community offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $6,665 per month.

    The Woods - Retirement Community offers independent living and assisted living.

    There are 56 photos of The Woods - Retirement Community on Mirador.

    The full address for this community is 197 Howe St, Methuen, MA 01844.

    No, The Woods - Retirement Community does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of The Woods - Retirement Community. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact The Woods - Retirement Community directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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