Homewoods On the Willamette

    17971 SE River Rd, Milwaukie, OR, 97267
    4.7 · 29 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    4.0

    Homey campus, friendly staff, recommended

    My mom lives here and I'm very pleased - she loves it. Beautiful, homey campus on the Willamette with koi pond and river/woods views, clean facilities, roomy two-bed apartments and large closets; staff and residents are consistently friendly and activities are plentiful. Dining is okay (cafeteria plus restaurant-style ordering), and it's one of the more affordable NFP options, but they nickel-and-dime extra charges (food, Wi-Fi), parking and wheelchair access can be tight, and it's not close to shopping or family. Overall I'd recommend it for the care and atmosphere.

    Pricing

    Schedule a Tour

    Amenities

    4.66 · 29 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.2
    • Meals

      3.7
    • Amenities

      3.8
    • Value

      4.0

    Pros

    • Scenic location on the Willamette River with beautiful trees and views
    • Beautiful campus and outdoor spaces (garden, koi pond)
    • Friendly, welcoming staff
    • Clean facility and apartments
    • Variety and volume of activities offered
    • Residents described as happy and homey
    • Good care noted by reviewers
    • Nice-sized and roomy apartments (including two-bedroom options)
    • Full kitchens in some units
    • Large walk-in closets in some units
    • Dog-friendly community
    • Library and exercise class available
    • NFP (not-for-profit) mentality
    • Professional, informative tour guides

    Cons

    • Charges/extra fees for many items, including food and Wi‑Fi
    • Average food quality reported by some reviewers
    • Limited parking
    • Not close to shopping; far from some families
    • Closed-in layout mentioned (feels enclosed)
    • Wheelchair accessibility concerns
    • No air conditioning
    • All carpeting in units
    • Some apartments are small or cafeteria-style dining in parts

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive, with many reviewers praising the location, campus, staff, and community atmosphere at Homewoods on the Willamette. The facility’s riverside setting, mature trees, koi pond and garden areas are repeatedly highlighted as standout features that contribute to a peaceful, scenic environment. Multiple reviewers call the campus beautiful and speak positively about the grounds and outdoor views overlooking the Willamette River. The not-for-profit (NFP) status and apparent community-focused mentality are also seen as positives, contributing to a warm, homey feel.

    Care quality and staff performance receive consistently favorable comments. Reviewers frequently describe staff as friendly, informative and professional. Several reviews note personable tour guides and staff who make residents and visitors feel welcome. There are explicit mentions of excellent care in at least one summary, and multiple reviewers report that their family members “love it” or are very happy living there. Cleanliness is another strength cited repeatedly; both the facility and individual apartments are described as clean and well-maintained.

    Facilities and apartments present a mix of strong points and some limitations. On the positive side, many units are described as nicely sized or roomy (including two-bedroom units), with full kitchens and generous closets in some apartments. Community amenities such as a library, exercise classes and a variety of activities support independent living and engagement. The campus atmosphere is described as cozy and inviting, with special events (holiday sales, artist shows) regarded as successful community-building activities. However, reviewers also raise practical concerns: several mention that units are carpeted throughout and there is a lack of air conditioning, which could be important for some residents. Some feedback indicates variability in apartment sizes — while some residents have roomy units, others describe smaller, cafeteria-style spaces.

    Dining and fee structure show mixed reactions. The dining program is described both positively and neutrally: some visitors appreciated restaurant-style ordering and a pleasant dining area, while others called parts of the dining experience cafeteria-style and rated the food as average. A significant concern that appears across reviews is the facility’s fee policies — reviewers explicitly mention charges for many items, including food and Wi‑Fi. One reviewer described the community as the “cheapest in the area” but also noted that it “charges for everything,” suggesting that while upfront costs may be competitive, à la carte fees can add up.

    Activities and community life are frequently praised. Reviewers note a strong calendar of events and a wide variety of activities, describing the atmosphere as lively and residents as engaged. The presence of exercise classes, library resources, and active social programming contribute to perceptions that the facility supports an active independent living lifestyle. The community is also described as pet-friendly, which some families value highly.

    Accessibility, logistics and location-related downsides are recurring concerns. Several reviewers pointed out limited parking and a somewhat closed-in layout that may feel less open or easy to navigate. There are explicit mentions of wheelchair accessibility issues, which would be a critical consideration for prospective residents who use mobility devices. The campus is not close to shopping and some reviewers described it as far from family or other amenities, so location may be a trade-off: excellent for scenic, tranquil living but less convenient for frequent errands or short family visits.

    In summary, Homewoods on the Willamette is consistently described as a beautiful, well-kept, and community-oriented senior living option with friendly staff, varied activities, and a strong sense of home. Strengths include the riverfront setting, caring staff, cleanliness, and active programming. Important considerations for prospective residents and families include the fee structure (extra charges for items like food and Wi‑Fi), mixed feedback on dining quality, lack of air conditioning, carpeted units, limited parking, and some accessibility concerns. For families prioritizing scenery, community atmosphere, and strong staff/resident relations, Homewoods appears highly recommended; for those who need easy access to shopping, strong on-site cooling, or guaranteed full wheelchair accessibility, it would be wise to confirm unit specifics and fee details during a tour.

    Location

    Map showing location of Homewoods On the Willamette

    About Homewoods On the Willamette

    Homewoods On the Willamette sits at 17971 SE River Rd in Milwaukie, just a bit south of Portland, and it looks over the Willamette River, which must be a pleasant sight from some of those apartments, with private patios, decks, and windows pointing out at the view, though there's really no fuss made here about fancy building exteriors or high-end lobby spaces. The place offers one-bedroom and two-bedroom independent retirement apartments, each with a private bathroom, a full kitchen, and a bathtub, which can make things feel homier for folks who value cooking and having their own space to move about, and the place allows pets, though there aren't details about any special spots for them or what kinds are allowed. Folks find themselves in a not-for-profit community made up of 113 independent senior units, with a mix of independent living, assisted living services, home care, and memory care options, alongside support for things like incontinence, diabetic needs, and non-ambulatory care, which means some residents get by with just a bit of help and others might need more, and there are healthcare staffing and some extra services if they're needed, as well as support and referrals for home care, home health, and hospice if that ever comes up. Meals are prepared with care, and dining services focus on nutrition, but the details about how many meals per day or if there are snacks or such aren't listed anywhere easy to find, and no word on whether utilities come with the rent or if you're meant to take care of those on your own, and there aren't any written rules about rental terms or extra fees. Homewoods is close to medical clinics, shopping spots, and parks, which may help for errands or a nice stroll, and the place organizes activities like art workshops, group exercise, card games including bridge and pinochle, movie nights, Bible study, and outings downtown for those who like to get out and about. They've got complimentary transportation and resident parking, so getting around town seems doable, though at the same time there's some uncertainty with parking details if you've got a personal car. No one says much about pools, hot tubs, barbecue areas, or fancy outdoor extras, and there's nothing mentioned about gated entries or whether the building's got more than one level, but for someone who wants an apartment in a simple, senior-centered setting with some activities and options for help as needed, this is what's laid out, and anyone interested would need to get specifics straight from the source.

    People often ask...

    Nearby Communities

    • Exterior view of a modern multi-story residential building with balconies, large windows, and a mix of white, black, and brick facade under a clear blue sky.
      $6,589 – $8,565+4.9 (35)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • Studio
      independent living, assisted living

      Merrill Gardens at Hillsboro

      146 NE 4th Ave, Hillsboro, OR, 97124
    • Aerial view of a cityscape at sunset featuring a large multi-story residential building next to a historic church with a red-tiled roof and a distinctive dome. The scene includes surrounding streets, parked cars, trees, and a body of water in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
      $3,195+4.9 (33)
      1 Bedroom
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Merrill Gardens at Wright Park

      5 S G St, Tacoma, WA, 98405
    • Architectural rendering of a multi-story senior living facility building with multiple windows, landscaped greenery, and sidewalks surrounding the structure.
      $4,200+4.4 (65)
      1 Bedroom
      continuing care retirement community

      Merrill Gardens at Auburn

      18 1st St SE, Auburn, WA, 98002
    • Photo of Aegis Living Marymoor
      $4,140 – $5,400+4.8 (37)
      Studio • 1 Bedroom
      assisted living, memory care

      Aegis Living Marymoor

      4585 West Lake Sammamish Pkwy NE, Redmond, WA, 98052
    • Entrance driveway to a senior living facility with a covered drop-off area, surrounded by trees, shrubs, and landscaped flower beds under a clear blue sky.
      $2,800 – $5,000+4.4 (174)
      Semi-private • 1 Bedroom • 2 Bedroom
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Truewood By Merrill, Boise

      2600 North Milwaukee Street, Boise, ID, 83704
    • Exterior view of Oakmont of Westpark senior living facility at dusk, showing a two-story building with illuminated windows, stone and stucco facade, landscaped greenery, and a covered entrance with a clearance sign.
      $3,595 – $4,995+4.3 (86)
      Studio • Semi-private
      independent, assisted living, memory care

      Oakmont of Westpark

      2400 Pleasant Grove Blvd, Roseville, CA, 95747

    Assisted Living in Nearby Cities

    1. 185 facilities$5,809/mo
    2. 172 facilities$5,702/mo
    3. 233 facilities$5,859/mo
    4. 224 facilities$5,955/mo
    5. 148 facilities$5,851/mo
    6. 226 facilities$5,876/mo
    7. 203 facilities$5,697/mo
    8. 190 facilities$5,534/mo
    9. 102 facilities$5,566/mo
    10. 280 facilities$5,829/mo
    11. 238 facilities$5,637/mo
    12. 200 facilities$5,595/mo
    © 2025 Mirador Living