LECOM - Parkside at Westminster

    3929 W 38th St, Erie, PA, 16506
    4.6 · 42 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    5.0

    Spacious, friendly community; minor drawbacks

    I moved in and am happy overall. My spacious, clean one-bed with a large kitchen (in-unit laundry option) feels like home - utilities and many perks are included. Staff and residents are warm and helpful, the place is well-kept and quiet, and there are lots of activities plus weekday bus trips for shopping and appointments; emergency pull buttons add peace of mind. Downsides: there's no regular on-site dining (event food isn't included) and staff can be thin after hours, but I'd still recommend touring - I'm glad I moved here.

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    Amenities

    4.64 · 42 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      3.0
    • Staff

      4.6
    • Meals

      2.0
    • Amenities

      4.5
    • Value

      4.0

    Pros

    • Friendly, welcoming and helpful staff
    • Knowledgeable manager/administrator with long tenure
    • Clean, well-kept and well-maintained facility
    • Wide range of activities and events (bingo, concerts, parties, themed events)
    • Regular transportation and bus trips for shopping and appointments
    • Nice, spacious apartments with large kitchens and balconies
    • Renovated apartment options and hotel-like upgrades available
    • In-unit laundry option and on-site laundry available
    • Multiple common amenities (fitness room, library, sunroom, large activity room, gaming/social rooms)
    • Safety features including emergency pull buttons
    • Utilities included in rent
    • Central, convenient location near shopping
    • Positive resident sentiment and many recommendations to tour
    • Reasonable pricing cited by some reviewers
    • Courtyard/outdoor spaces and social gathering features (BBQ, coffee/wine/cheese bars)

    Cons

    • No regular on-site dining or meals included with rent
    • Conflicting or unclear information about meal availability and dining policy
    • Food at some events is extra/not included in rent
    • No on-site health care or nursing staff (independent living focus)
    • Staff presence limited in evenings (not often seen after 5 PM)
    • Reports of being understaffed/undermanned at times
    • Some residents reported feeling forced into meal participation (isolated report)
    • Older building (built in the 1980s), though some units renovated
    • Waiting list for move-ins (availability constraint)
    • Overall value reported as average by some (3-star overall comment)

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the reviews for LECOM - Parkside at Westminster is largely positive, centered on strong staff relationships, a clean and well-kept environment, and an active social calendar. Many reviewers emphasize a warm, welcoming community with staff described as friendly, helpful, professional and knowledgeable. The on-site management and administrator receive particular praise for being informative and supportive during moves and transitions. Residents and families repeatedly note that staff and maintenance respond to needs and that the move-in experience was smooth.

    Facility condition and apartment features are frequently highlighted as strengths. Reviewers describe the property as very clean and well-maintained, with both original and renovated apartment options. Apartments are characterized as roomy and well-designed, often noting large kitchens (some with room for a stack washer/dryer), balconies, ample closet space, and cozy layouts. On behalf of convenience and lifestyle, the community offers multiple shared amenities—fitness room, library, sunroom, large activity room, gaming/social rooms, and outdoor courtyard/barbecue spaces—and some touches like a coffee bar and wine/cheese offerings. Safety is addressed through emergency pull buttons in living spaces and bathrooms. Utilities are often included in rent, which many residents appreciate.

    Activities and social life are a clear highlight. There is a robust, varied activities program with weekly and special events: bingo, concerts, themed parties (St. Patrick’s Day, potential Easter), Tuesday breakfasts/lunches (bagels, Danish, fruit, coffee), field trips, and bus outings for shopping and appointments. Reviewers mention music and entertainment, and that event food is served at many activities. The active calendar and available transportation services contribute to residents reporting higher satisfaction, more social engagement, and better adjustment after moving in.

    Dining and meal-related issues are among the most consistent caveats. The community operates as independent living; multiple reviewers state that regular daily meals are not provided and that residents use apartment kitchens or outside delivery services. Several notes refer to Tuesday breakfast or occasional lunches—sometimes complimentary at events—but it is repeatedly stated that these food services are not part of standard rent and may carry extra costs. The reviews include conflicting statements about meal policies (some callers were unclear or got mixed messages), and at least one report described a dining policy perceived as overly prescriptive or 'forced' participation. Prospective residents should therefore confirm the current dining model, any associated fees, and whether group meals are mandatory or optional.

    Care level and staffing patterns reflect the independent living focus: reviewers consistently note there is no on-site nursing or health care staff, which suits highly independent seniors but may not meet the needs of those seeking assisted living or medical oversight. Relatedly, some reviewers raised concerns about staffing levels—mentions of being undermanned and that staff are not frequently seen after 5 PM indicate limited evening coverage. While many accounts praise staff availability and helpfulness during business hours, these comments suggest prospective residents evaluate staff coverage patterns and response expectations, especially for evening or overnight needs.

    A few logistical and market notes appear across the summaries. The property was built in the 1980s but has updated/renovated apartments, so unit condition may vary. Demand appears strong—there is a waiting list—which signals popularity but also potential delay for interested applicants. Value perceptions are mixed: several reviewers praise reasonable pricing, while at least one gave an average overall rating (3 stars). Finally, small differences in review tone hint at occasional inconsistencies in communication (especially about dining) and in staffing sufficiency.

    In summary, LECOM - Parkside at Westminster presents as a solid independent living community with a sociable atmosphere, well-maintained facilities, roomy apartments, and a wide range of amenities and activities. Its strengths lie in staff warmth and responsiveness, active programming, convenient location, and apartment features. The primary limitations are its independent-living model (no on-site nursing/caregivers), unclear or variable dining arrangements and occasional perceptions of understaffing or limited evening presence. Prospective residents should tour the property, confirm the current meal/dining policy and any fees, verify staff coverage hours, and ask about unit-specific renovations and availability before committing. If you want an active, apartment-style independent living community with strong social offerings and responsive daytime staff, Parkside is frequently recommended; if you require on-site medical care or 24/7 staffing, this community may not meet that need.

    Location

    Map showing location of LECOM - Parkside at Westminster

    About LECOM - Parkside at Westminster

    LECOM - Parkside at Westminster sits in the heart of southwest Millcreek, Erie, PA, in a quiet, park-like setting with tall maple trees, colorful gardens, and green spaces, with 76 roomy apartments spread across three stories, most having big living rooms, patios or balconies, and fully equipped kitchens with one or two bedrooms and lots of closet space. Residents find helpful staff, a clean environment, and well-kept buildings, and many appreciate the homey feeling, especially since cats and dogs are allowed. The variety of care levels means folks living here can choose independent living, assisted living, memory care, or even home health services if that's needed, and people can age in place with support through the LECOM Institute for Successful Aging. Units are wheelchair friendly, some have walk-in tubs and stackable washers and dryers, and there are options for older adults looking for senior apartments, condos, or townhomes.

    People have plenty to do, with activities like art and cooking classes, day trips, educational speakers, entertainment, lifelong learning programs, fitness and wellness offered through LifeWorks Erie, and religious services including Catholic and Protestant options with a chaplain visiting. Community programming focuses on helping folks live healthy and active, and the common rooms and outdoor areas give places to meet friends, join social events, or try new hobbies. Technology services include senior-friendly internet and cell phones, plus Wi-Fi in apartments, and there are safety features like medication dispensers and medical alert systems from Bay Alarm Medical, ADT, and Medical Guardian. Meals, personal care, and medical support are part of the program too, with geriatric health services, outpatient therapy, pharmacy, and even the Visiting Nurses Association offering home care and hospice support.

    The campus is close to shops, cafes, theaters, the Erie Art Museum, Presque Isle State Park, and public transportation, so people can get out and enjoy the city or the lakefront. Parkside at Westminster is part of the larger LECOM Senior Living system, which offers more choices nearby in Erie, Millcreek, and North East, including skilled nursing, memory care, and rehabilitation at places like LECOM Senior Living Center and others if more support is needed. The whole community sticks to giving respectful, ethical, and empathetic care, and stays active in health education and outreach for the Erie region. Community resources, advocacy, and behavioral health recovery programs are also available, and the staff have a good reputation for making residents feel welcome and supported through every stage of aging.

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