Southern Oaks Assisted Living

    7230 Lee Hwy, Chattanooga, TN, 37421
    4.6 · 47 reviews
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    5.0

    Warm attentive care, excellent staff

    I placed my mother at Southern Oaks about four months ago and I couldn't be happier. The staff are genuinely caring, friendly and helpful, administration coordinates care well, and the activity director keeps residents engaged - mom seems happier and more social. Meals are excellent, the facility is always clean and homey, and the small size means individual attention and great value. A few drawbacks: rooms are small, there's limited on-site nursing/transportation, pharmacy and rising costs can be an issue, and I had one rough bathing incident to monitor. Overall I highly recommend Southern Oaks for families wanting warm, attentive care.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.55 · 47 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      4.3
    • Staff

      4.3
    • Meals

      4.1
    • Amenities

      3.5
    • Value

      4.1

    Pros

    • Friendly, caring and attentive staff
    • Engaged, energetic and well-regarded activity director
    • Varied, tasty meals with accommodations for teeth issues and vegan diets
    • Clean, well-decorated and well-maintained common areas
    • Small, home-like atmosphere (typically 24–30 residents)
    • Courtyard and pleasant outdoor seating/swings
    • All-inclusive / flat pricing and generally very good value
    • Long‑tenured staff and low turnover
    • Daily cleaning, laundry and trash removal provided
    • On-time medication management and medication administration available
    • Seasonal menus and festive holiday decorations
    • Planned social activities (music, bingo, Bible study, exercises, games, movie night)
    • Owner/management described as attentive and responsive
    • Private rooms available and personalized care
    • Family peace of mind and proactive communication with families
    • Community spaces such as living room, dining room, TV/game room and beauty shop
    • Residents socialize well and form friendships
    • Good value for price and competitive rates

    Cons

    • No on‑site nurse or nurse on duty reported by several reviewers
    • No or limited transportation to external doctor appointments
    • Some rooms described as small and limited living space
    • At least one report of rough or unfriendly bathing staff requiring monitoring
    • A few reviewers reported cleanliness or odor issues in parts of the facility
    • Activities and outings sometimes described as limited or variable
    • Facility described as older or somewhat rundown by some reviewers
    • Concerns about rising costs, expensive pharmacy, and price increases
    • Not a good fit for independent living or some younger/more active residents
    • Narrow halls and potential accessibility concerns
    • Occasional inconsistent tour experiences and perceived sales focus
    • Limited capacity (may not accept all applicants or immediate availability issues)
    • Unclear / inconsistent visitation timing expectations

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews of Southern Oaks Assisted Living is strongly positive with recurring praise for the staff, the home-like environment, the meals, and the value proposition. Most reviewers emphasize that staff are friendly, caring and attentive; many specifically note long-tenured caregivers and low turnover, which contributes to continuity of care and residents feeling comfortable. Families repeatedly cite peace of mind—staff proactively communicate, track medications, manage laundry and other daily needs, and the ownership/management is described as responsive and hands-on. Multiple reviewers stated that their relatives became happier, more engaged, or healthier after moving in, and many would recommend Southern Oaks to other families.

    Care and staffing are commonly highlighted strengths. Medication management and on-time administration are cited frequently, and caregivers are described as compassionate and capable. The activity director receives repeated praise for creating engaging, energetic programming that attracts residents; activities mentioned across reviews include music, reading groups, puzzles, daily exercises, Bible study, bingo, movie nights, games, parties and outings. That programming is seen as a key reason residents socialize and form friendships. Reviewers also point to ancillary services such as a beauty shop, story time, and a small library or TV/game rooms in some reviews. At the same time, a consistent caveat is that the community is a small assisted living rather than a full skilled nursing center—some reviews explicitly note there is no on-site nurse or 24/7 nursing staff, which is important for families to consider depending on care needs.

    Facilities and atmosphere are repeatedly described as clean, beautifully decorated and homey. Multiple reviews call out the courtyard with swings, tasteful holiday or seasonal decorations, and pleasant common spaces (large living room, dining area, TV/game room). Many reviewers describe rooms as private and adequate, and the overall size (24–30 residents in different reports) gives it a non-institutional feel. That smaller scale is generally seen as a benefit for individualized attention. However, a minority of reviews report concerns about parts of the building being older or somewhat rundown, sticky floors or occasional odors, and narrow halls that may present accessibility issues. Room size is also noted as small in several reviews—adequate for many but potentially limiting for those needing more space or possessions.

    Dining is a clear strength in the reviews. Meals are described as tasty, varied, and accommodating (including easy-to-eat options for residents with dental issues and vegan options). Several reviewers praised breakfast and coffee, seasonal menus, and plenty of favorite foods. Reviewers did note this is not a fine-dining environment—rather a reliable, good-quality dining program appropriate for assisted living.

    Value, pricing and management are recurring themes. The pricing model—often described as all-inclusive or flat—receives positive comments; many reviewers say the community delivers excellent value for the price. Ownership and management are frequently commended for being involved and supportive during tours or move-ins. Counterbalancing that, some reviewers raised concerns about rising costs over time, expensive pharmacy pricing, and family billing/oversight worries. A few reviewers described the sales process as somewhat sales-focused during tours, and experiences with tours varied—from exemplary, informative tours to poorly staffed, not informative ones.

    Notable limitations and negative patterns: transportation to external medical appointments is commonly absent, so families should plan for outside transportation. While activities are energetic and a strong selling point for many, a handful of reviewers described limited activities or no outings; this suggests program offerings may vary over time or depend on staffing. Care scope is another important distinction—Southern Oaks functions as an assisted living community rather than a skilled nursing facility, so families needing on-site nursing or higher acuity medical care should consider that limitation. There are isolated but important negative reports: at least one reviewer reported rough bathing care that required monitoring, and a few reviewers reported cleanliness and odor issues. These are minority reports but significant for prospective families to verify during an in-person visit.

    Bottom line: Southern Oaks Assisted Living is repeatedly characterized as a small, value-oriented, home-like assisted living with friendly, long-standing staff, strong programming led by a popular activity director, appetizing and accommodating meals, and attentive management. It is particularly well-suited for families seeking a community with a personal feel and active social life for residents. Prospective residents and families should confirm specifics in person—room sizes, the presence/absence of on-site nursing, transportation options for medical appointments, current activities/outings schedule, and any recent cleanliness or staffing concerns—to ensure a good fit with individual care needs and expectations.

    Location

    Map showing location of Southern Oaks Assisted Living

    About Southern Oaks Assisted Living

    Southern Oaks Assisted Living in Chattanooga, Tennessee, sits at 7230 Lee Hwy and has built a solid reputation with a 5.0 rating, known especially for caring attention and long-standing staff that know what they're doing, with over 60 years of ownership in the business. The community offers a wide mix of services, so folks will find choices like independent living, assisted living, memory care for those dealing with Alzheimer's or dementia, skilled nursing for long-term needs, home care, adult day services for daytime support, home health care, and even hospice care when the time comes. Staff at Southern Oaks take care to tailor care plans to each resident, making sure personalized support fits individual needs, whether it's daily activities like bathing, dressing, taking medicine, or more complex care, with nurses and a doctor on call plus staff on-site all day and night to keep an eye out. The building is single-story and set up to be easy to get around; people have private apartments and can bring their pets, making things a lot more comforting for some folks, and the community is smoke-free.

    Meals come included, they're nutritious, and there are a lot of common spaces inside for residents to gather, with social activities and wellness programs running every week-folks can join exercise classes, games, or outings, and enjoy social events or spiritual gatherings if they like. There's a beautician and beauty and barber services on site, and transportation is provided for medical visits or errands. Southern Oaks keeps things steady and safe, staying up to date with health and safety inspections, and the place feels like family, where friendships can grow and folks can settle in with peace of mind. Staff aim to give residents as much independence as they can while helping with what they can't do alone, and the facility works hard to be a warm, welcoming space where every resident has a voice in their care and gets the support needed for a good life as they age. The community supports those who want to stay active, with plenty of chances to join in, whether that's onsite or out in Chattanooga, and flower arrangements from Chattanooga show up often, brightening up the space. The whole setup keeps daily needs close, so residents don't have to worry about getting from place to place, and the focus always remains on quality care, dignity, and keeping life fulfilling, whether someone's there for a short stay or looking for a new home.

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