Overall sentiment across the reviews is positive for Vernon Terrace of Edina as an independent living community, with recurring praise for its cleanliness, welcoming atmosphere, and strong sense of community. Many reviewers highlight the facility as home-like rather than institutional, citing spacious apartments with full kitchens, patios or balconies, and thoughtful touches such as brass door plaques and a small courtyard. Location is a major strength: reviewers repeatedly note walkability to groceries, pharmacy, library, senior center and church, along with easy access to shopping and medical appointments via an organized shuttle/van. Amenity-wise, Vernon Terrace offers a broad mix — exercise/weight room, library, beauty parlor, underground parking, large laundry rooms, and onsite activities — that support an active independent-living lifestyle. Several reviewers also pointed out practical conveniences like weekly cleaning and laundry services, shopping carts for trips, and order-ahead or pickup dining options.
Staff and day-to-day operations receive a lot of positive attention: many reviewers describe staff as kind, caring, and attentive, with aides and nurses who know residents by name and families reporting excellent communication and personalized care. There are multiple accounts of staff going the extra mile, especially during COVID restrictions, and of families feeling peace of mind and satisfaction with the care and social support their loved ones receive. Activities and organized outings are frequently praised — everything from Arboretum and Target trips to creative in-house events; these contribute strongly to residents forming friendships and enjoying an active social life. The small memory care unit (The Willows) receives praise in some reviews, where families felt it was a good fit and staff were devoted and patient.
However, there are consistent and significant caveats that prospective residents and families should weigh carefully. One of the most prominent concerns is inconsistency in nursing and third-party care. Several reviewers report a decline in nursing quality after a change in care providers (LifeSpark’s absence noted), with specific complaints including missed medications and poor coordination from vendors such as CareBuilders or Ebenezer. These accounts are stark and include reports of extra charges and families not recommending the facility for residents who require substantial nursing or medical support. Management and operational issues are another recurring theme: reviewers mention frequent executive-director turnover, signs of profit-driven leadership, and added basic-service costs that make the overall value questionable for some. Scheduling hiccups — including no-shows for virtual tours and slow response to calls — and periodic staff shortages (reports of staff not being present or residents left unattended) were also mentioned.
Dining and food quality show variability across reviews: many residents say meals are good or have improved substantially from prior poor quality, while others still complain about inconsistent or previously “disgusting” food. Fees and pricing arise repeatedly as a mixed point: some reviewers call Vernon Terrace budget-friendly and cite concrete savings (one reviewer noted $682 cheaper rent), whereas others describe private-pay costs as expensive or overall value as poor compared to other independent living options. Facility age is another point of nuance — the building is described as older but well-maintained and very clean; some reviewers note dated decor and a lack of certain amenities (no pool), and intermittent closures of spaces like the gym (noted during virus-related restrictions).
Safety and operational red flags should be asked about directly during a visit: one reviewer flagged that fire exits cannot be locked, and others reported moments of neglect or inadequate staffing. Given the mixed reports about third-party care providers and management turnover, prospective residents should probe current arrangements: who is providing nursing and medication management now, what are up-to-date staffing levels, what extra fees apply (for in-room delivery, third-party services, etc.), and how recent leadership or vendor changes have been resolved. In summary, Vernon Terrace presents as a clean, community-focused independent living option with strong social programming, convenient location, and many amenities; it is frequently recommended for independent seniors seeking an active, affordable lifestyle. At the same time, families of prospective residents who require reliable, hands-on nursing or higher-level medical care should investigate current clinical staffing and vendor performance in person, and clarify fees and safety policies before committing.
