Life Manor Independent Living (Parkside) sits in Tacoma, WA, inside the 98405 zip code, and stands seven stories tall with a brick exterior, giving it a solid and traditional look, and when you get inside you'll notice all the shared spaces like a TV lounge, community rooms, a clubhouse, and a library, which means neighbors have plenty of spots to meet up, play games, or have a chat together, so it really feels like everyone knows each other here. People can choose either studio or one-bedroom units, all with kitchenettes, full sinks, refrigerators, cook-tops, and some even have walk-in closets if you pick the one-bedroom, plus every unit has a walk-in shower instead of a tub for easier access and there's carpet, laminate, or vinyl flooring to keep things neat and comfortable. The place keeps things simple by including all utilities, basic cable, and a unit landline in the rent, and if you need anything fixed, on-site management and maintenance folks are around, making it easy to keep up with day-to-day needs, and there's even shared laundry rooms built new in July 2018, so everyone's needs are covered without much running around.
Each day, staff serve two meals-brunch and dinner-in the dining room, which helps everyone keep a good routine and enjoy meals without extra work, and if you need help with walking or getting around, there are personal care assistants ready to lend a hand, including wheelchair assistance and even dry cleaning or laundry help if needed, all while trying to let everyone keep as much independence as possible, which is the goal for folks here. Safety gets special attention, with controlled building entry, a sprinkler system, and all sorts of handicap features in both the apartments and common areas, which helps everyone feel more secure. Residents can join in plenty of activities-like arts and crafts, education programs, games, or health and wellness classes-so no one needs to feel left out or bored, and there's a strong focus on making sure people are able to make friends and keep up with social connections. Outdoor spaces have neat landscaping, patios, and water features if anyone just wants to sit and watch the day go by, plus guest parking for visitors and off-street parking for residents who still drive, with transportation assistance available for those who don't.
Each pet policy allows one small dog or cat per unit, though larger dogs aren't allowed, and with the fitness center, salon/barbershop, elevator, clubhouse, and extra amenities like wifi, cable TV, freezers, and even trash compactors, the comfort here is pretty well thought-out for everyday needs. The community takes both independent living and assisted living folks, in both studio and one-bedroom apartments, and tries to meet different needs and lifestyles, whether someone's looking for just a comfortable place to call home, or needs more day-to-day assistance. This is an affordable 55+ retirement community, set up to provide a supportive, welcoming space, and the staff work to ensure residents feel connected and have their essential needs taken care of, with a little extra comfort and camaraderie built in along the way.
