Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but leans positive regarding staff, cleanliness, accessibility, and the physical environment. Multiple reviewers specifically praised the staff as very nice, helpful, professional, and accommodating — several noted staff made residents smile and created a social, hospitable atmosphere. Cleanliness is consistently emphasized: reviewers called the building very clean, pleasant, bright, and beautifully designed. The facility clearly invests in accessible features (handicap-accessible bathrooms and walk-in showers) and common spaces that feel home-like rather than institutional.
Facilities and amenities are frequently cited as strengths. Reviewers mention a courtyard with trees and flowers, a TV room, arts and crafts spaces, exercise/gym facilities, and areas for gardening and classes. On-site services such as weekly cleaning and laundry are appreciated. The community’s independent-living focus with some assistance available fits many residents’ needs, and people reported making new friends and enjoying the social environment. The convenient location and perceived safety/strong security measures were other recurrent positives.
Dining and food received mixed feedback. Several reviews noted dining room service for lunch and dinner, two meals a day, and diabetic-friendly options; one review explicitly said the food was very good. However, other reviewers criticized the food as precooked or poor quality, and at least one person felt the dining was not worth the cost. A few reviewers did not try the food, so impressions vary across individuals.
Activities and social programming also show variability. Many reviews list arts and crafts, outings, entertainment classes, and in-house activities as available, and some residents found the social environment lively and rewarding. Conversely, there are clear reports that virus-related restrictions reduced programming and limited social interaction for some residents — leading to frustration and a quieter experience. This suggests that activity levels and social opportunities may fluctuate over time or with policy changes.
Cost, scale, and logistics are notable areas of concern. While one reviewer called the price good, others labeled the community expensive and not worth the money. Some found the community too large or hotel-like, with too many residents, which affected their sense of intimacy. Room size was flagged as small by multiple reviewers. Transportation is another consistent negative: reviewers noted there is no transportation offered, which may be an important logistical limitation for prospective residents.
In summary, Garito Manor At Union Square is frequently praised for its staff, cleanliness, accessible and pleasant physical environment, and available amenities — all of which support a generally positive independent-living experience for many residents. Key caveats are variability in dining quality, occasional reductions in activities (especially tied to virus restrictions), lack of transportation, smaller private rooms, and mixed perceptions of value and community scale. Prospective residents should weigh the strong staff and facility attributes against the concerns about food, programming consistency, room size, and transportation when evaluating whether this community is the right fit.
