Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but clustered: independent living (IL) residents and their families frequently report strong satisfaction, while assisted living (AL) and memory-care experiences are considerably more variable and include several serious concerns. The most consistent positives are the caring, personable attitude of many direct-care staff, an above-and-beyond maintenance team that responds quickly to repair requests, a busy activities program, and a generally home-like, non-institutional atmosphere in many parts of the community. Many reviewers call out specific staff (receptionists, aides, maintenance, physical therapists) for compassionate, individualized attention and good family communication. The community is often viewed as an affordable option with good value for the price and a convenient location near shopping and services.
Staff and care: A large number of reviews praise the nursing aides, physical therapists, maintenance personnel and certain administrators for hands-on care, fast issue resolution, and respectful treatment of residents. Several families describe life-changing improvements under particular therapists and cite strong staff-to-resident rapport. However, the positive view is tempered by repeated reports of high staff turnover, inconsistent experience levels among staff, and troubling instances of unprofessional or neglectful behavior. There are multiple accounts of troubling lapses — residents left in soiled clothing or pajamas, missed grooming and foot-care, failures to follow up on medical referrals (e.g., neurologist evaluation), and at least a few severe incidents (post-fall neglect, a reported massive stroke after inadequate monitoring). These are described as isolated by some but show an important pattern that prospective residents should investigate carefully.
Facilities and maintenance: Reviewers frequently describe the physical plant as older but largely well-kept. Positive specifics include screened-in porches, private patios, garden and green spaces, roomy apartments with high ceilings in some units, an attractive dining room, and a variety of common spaces (movie theater, salon, exercise room). Maintenance work is repeatedly praised for same-day repairs and for going 'above and beyond' — replacement of AC units, refrigerators, faucets, etc. Yet many reviewers also note the building is dated, with narrow hallways, awkward doorways, limited bathroom space, and some areas needing updating. Cleanliness reports are inconsistent: many say the community is very clean and bright, while others report mildew, mold, bedbugs, overflowing trash, and a generally rundown feel in some areas. These inconsistencies suggest variability over time or between wings/levels of care.
Dining and nutrition: Dining gets mixed marks. Several reviewers praise recent improvements, a robust salad bar, and friendly dining staff; others describe food quality as poor, bland, or insufficient for those with allergies and special dietary needs. Some families report improved food in recent months, while others complain of diminished meal options or very poor tastes. The community offers included amenities and order-from-menu options according to some reviewers, but others describe unexpected extra charges for services and a feeling of 'nickel-and-diming.' Prospective residents should sample meals and discuss accommodations for allergies and heart-healthy diets.
Activities and social life: The activities program is one of the strongest, most consistent positives. Multiple reviewers note a wide range of daily options: exercise classes, walking groups, cards, bingo, crafts, parties, live music, themed nights, and regular outings. Transportation to shopping, appointments and entertainment is highlighted as an important asset. That said, reviewers repeatedly report that AL and memory-care residents sometimes have fewer stimulation opportunities or feel isolated. A few accounts explain that AL is in a separate wing with minimal interaction with IL programming. Also, some families describe restrictions or refusals from transport staff or insufficient assistance to attend outings for higher-care residents.
Management, communication and business practices: Reviews reflect a shift in management quality. Many commenters praise new, hands-on management for improved presentation, dining, responsiveness and morale; several name managers who are appreciated. Conversely, a substantial set of reviews criticize prior or current administrative practices: poor communication with families and POAs, billing disputes, withheld deposits, misleading information from sales representatives, unreturned calls, and rude or unprofessional behaviors from some administrative staff. A handful of reviews allege owner hostility toward criticism and difficult interactions with nursing leadership. This variability suggests management culture has fluctuated over time and that recent improvements may be ongoing but not universal.
Safety and clinical staffing: Some safety features are praised (emergency pull cords, prompt assistance after falls in many cases). Yet there are notable and repeated concerns about clinical coverage and safety, particularly the reduction of night nursing coverage that reviewers say increased ER transfers and left residents more vulnerable. Other safety-related complaints include missed rounds (failed morning wellcheck) and delayed responses after falls leading to serious outcomes. Prospective families should ask specifically about nursing coverage (24/7 vs daytime-only), emergency protocols, staff-to-resident ratios, and how the community handles clinical escalations.
Patterns and recommendations: The reviews show clear patterns — independent living residents generally report high satisfaction with social life, activities, maintenance, location and value. Assisted living and memory care produce more mixed feedback: some families are pleased with individualized care and memory support, while others raise alarm about lack of stimulation, grooming lapses, clinical follow-through, and even neglect. Maintenance and activities are strong and often singled out as differentiators, but cleanliness, administrative transparency, and consistent clinical staffing are the most frequent and serious negative themes.
If you are evaluating Claremont Retirement Village, consider touring multiple times (ask to see specific AL/memory areas), eat a meal, speak with recent families of residents in the level of care you need, verify current nursing schedules and staff turnover rates, and request written details about billing, extra charges and refund policies. Ask management about recent improvements they have implemented (especially around cleanliness, night nursing coverage, and communication) and request references specific to the care level you need. The community offers strong value and many committed staff members, but experiences vary considerably by unit and over time, so targeted due diligence is important.
