Overall sentiment across the reviews is strongly positive, with many reviewers praising College View Manor as a warm, active, and well-appointed independent living community. The most consistent strengths are the people and the atmosphere: reviewers repeatedly describe staff as friendly, compassionate, professional and familial. Multiple accounts single out individual staff members (e.g., Carey/Carrie Prater and Brandi) and emphasize helpfulness during touring, move-in, and ongoing needs. Residents and families frequently note quick maintenance responses (often within 24 hours) and attentive daily assistance for routine issues (help with toilets, TVs, late diners, etc.). The community is commonly described as safe, welcoming, and home-like, with many reviewers saying they would recommend it for loved ones.
Facilities and apartment features are another frequently mentioned strength. Reviewers call the property gorgeous, well-maintained and relatively new, with spacious, home-like units that often include patios or porches and easy outdoor access—an important plus for pet owners. The campus offers a wide range of on-site amenities such as a restaurant-style dining room, salon, library, chapel, internet access, and scheduled transportation. Included services (weekly cleaning, laundry, and meals) and conveniences are repeatedly cited as contributing to good value for money. Some operational details are highlighted positively as well: elevator access (though often noted as small), private patios, and community touches like a Wall of Honor for veterans and Alzheimer’s Association involvement.
Dining and activities are prominent themes in the reviews. Many reviewers praise the restaurant-style dining, food quality (prime rib nights, fresh fruit, desserts), accommodating kitchen staff, and pleasant dining-room service including wait staff and beverage availability (beer and wine). The activities program receives consistently strong marks: puzzles, Bible study, themed contests (e.g., Halloween), exercise classes, outings, entertainers, and regular social events are commonly named. Reviewers describe residents as active, socially connected, and not isolated—card games, movie nights, reading groups, and a full activities calendar foster vibrant daily life.
Despite the generally favorable picture, several recurring concerns appear and are worth noting. Cleanliness and housekeeping quality show mixed reports: while many call the facility very clean, some reviewers report poor housekeeping, inconsistent cleaning, and particular lapses (including reports of overnight staff negligence). Fire safety repeatedly emerges as a significant issue in some reviews: frequent false fire alarms and the manner in which staff respond—entering apartments during alarms—are cited as disruptive and, in at least one case, unsustainable for the resident. A few reviewers reported privacy invasions or disrespectful behavior (including gossip or disrespect toward a disabled resident) and noted that incidents were not always documented or communicated to families, indicating inconsistencies in incident reporting and communication practices.
There are also operational and policy-related concerns. A limited mealtime window has inconvenienced some residents who need to schedule doctor appointments or other commitments around dining times. A handful of reviewers reported dietary issues or menu limitations that did not suit their needs. There are scattered reports of rent increases that appeared higher than contract stipulations and general dissatisfaction with changes since moving in; some residents had not signed new leases because of pricing concerns. A few reviewers noted a perceived decline in food quality during COVID-era adjustments. Additionally, practical inconveniences such as a single, small elevator creating mealtime wait times were mentioned more than once.
In summary, College View Manor is portrayed predominantly as a high-quality independent living community with exceptional staff, robust amenities, engaging activities, and a comfortable, home-like environment. Its greatest assets are the caring, personable staff and the active social life for residents. However, prospective residents or families should probe a few areas during tours and decision-making: housekeeping consistency and overnight staffing practices, fire alarm frequency and emergency procedures (including documentation and communication policies), meal scheduling flexibility and dietary accommodations, and any contractual or rent-increase terms. These follow-up questions will help ensure that the overwhelmingly positive aspects described in the reviews align with an individual’s priorities and that any occasional operational shortcomings are understood and acceptable.
