Rainbow Vista

    1350 W Powell Blvd, Gresham, OR, 97030
    3.5 · 4 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    3.0

    Affordable LGBTQ-friendly but limited services

    I rented a small (~400 sq ft) studio here. Pros: very affordable - utilities, Dish and internet included - gay-friendly, small male community (~19), good transit access and solid shared amenities (laundry, exercise, game/TV rooms, large common area). Cons: no meals or assisted-living services, no in-unit AC, limited activities, selective renter policy/no lease, management is responsive but unstable and maintenance feels underfunded (some units/AC down), noisy on Powell Blvd and a long trip to downtown/shopping/medical. Overall: cheap and LGBTQ-friendly if you're independent; not appropriate for someone with low vision or who needs care.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    3.50 · 4 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      1.0
    • Staff

      3.3
    • Meals

      1.0
    • Amenities

      3.7
    • Value

      3.5

    Pros

    • Affordable rent with utilities included
    • DISH network and internet included
    • No lease required
    • LGBTQ- and gay-friendly community
    • Good transit access
    • On-site amenities (laundry, exercise room, game room, TV room, large community area)
    • Responsive owner/manager noted in some reviews
    • Selective renter policy (can promote resident compatibility)
    • Comfortable studio accommodations (~400 sq ft)
    • Friendly residents reported in some accounts
    • Quiet/small community size (small building with ~19 residents) offering intimacy

    Cons

    • Management instability and mixed reports about management quality
    • Underfunded maintenance and deferred repairs
    • Facility reportedly half-full (low occupancy)
    • No full in-unit kitchens (only mini/kitchenettes)
    • No in-unit air conditioning reported
    • At least one AC unit out of service
    • No meals provided
    • No assisted living or on-site medical care
    • Limited activities and community programming (mostly potlucks)
    • Some reviews describe no community feel despite communal spaces
    • Small, male-only or male-focused resident population (exclusionary for some)
    • Safety concerns at night reported
    • No shopping/medical van service
    • Far from downtown and markets; long trips to services
    • Noisy location on Powell Blvd

    Summary review

    Overall impression: Reviews of Rainbow Vista are mixed, with strong positives centered on affordability and an LGBTQ-friendly environment, and significant negatives focused on management stability, maintenance, location, and limited care/services. The property appears to cater to a small, predominantly male/gay resident base seeking low-cost, independent housing rather than a full-service senior living or assisted care environment. Pros such as utilities, basic media/internet, and on-site communal amenities are repeatedly cited, but multiple reviewers flag practical shortcomings that limit suitability for anyone needing care, frequent shopping access, or a robust activity program.

    Care quality and suitability: Rainbow Vista is positioned as independent housing rather than a care facility. Reviews explicitly note there are no meals provided and no assisted living services or on-site medical care. One reviewer cited that a resident with low vision could not be independent there, which underscores that the building is not appropriate for people needing assistance with daily living or medical supervision. In short, the property is appropriate for reasonably independent adults who do not require personal care services; it is not appropriate for those who need assisted living support.

    Staff and management: Reports about staff and management are mixed. Several summaries praise a responsive owner/manager and even describe “excellent management,” indicating that some residents or reviewers have had good interactions with leadership. However, other comments raise concerns about management instability and an underfunded maintenance department. This contradiction suggests variability over time or differences in individual experiences: some residents benefit from attentive management, while others experience turnover or lack of resources to keep the property fully maintained. Prospective residents should probe current management stability, maintenance policies, and recent repair history during visits.

    Facilities and maintenance: The physical plant offers several communal amenities — laundry, exercise room, game room, TV room, and a large community area — which are positive for socializing and basic recreation. Studios are described as small (~400 sq ft) with a mini kitchen or kitchenette rather than a full kitchen. A recurring maintenance concern is aging infrastructure: reviews note underfunded maintenance, the facility being half-full, and specific issues such as one AC unit being down and no in-unit air conditioning generally. These indicate possible comfort problems during hot months and a need to verify the condition of heating/cooling and other systems before moving in.

    Dining and activities: There are no meals provided, and the activity program appears minimal — mostly potlucks and informal gatherings rather than organized programming. Although the property has common areas that could support activities, reviews say programming is limited and community engagement varies: some reviewers mention friendly residents and a comfortable setting, while others say there is little real community feel. Expect a low-service, low-structure living environment with occasional resident-led activities rather than staff-run events or scheduled care-oriented programming.

    Location, transportation, and safety: Location is a mixed bag. On the positive side, reviewers note good transit access, which may mitigate the lack of on-site shopping or market runs for residents who can use public transit. On the negative side, the site is described as noisy (Powell Blvd), a long trip to downtown, and far from markets. There is no shopping/medical van service, increasing reliance on public transit or private arrangements. Several reviewers raise safety concerns at night; combined with reports of a small, selective population and limited on-site support, this suggests potential vulnerability for residents who feel unsafe outdoors after dark or who need escorted transport.

    Community composition and culture: The community appears to be explicitly LGBTQ- and gay-friendly, with some summaries noting a male-only or male-focused resident population (about 19 residents). For LGBTQ older adults — especially gay men — this could be a strong positive, offering a comfortable, culturally aligned living situation. However, the selective renter policy and narrow demographic focus may feel exclusionary to others and contributes to mixed reports about whether the property has a welcoming, active community feel.

    Notable patterns and recommendations: The dominant positive themes are affordability (cheap rent, utilities included, media/internet included) and an LGBTQ-friendly atmosphere with some communal amenities. The dominant negatives are management inconsistency, underfunded maintenance, lack of in-unit comforts (full kitchen, AC), limited activities and no care services, location drawbacks (noise, distance to services), and safety concerns at night. Potential residents should weigh these trade-offs: Rainbow Vista is best-suited to independent, budget-conscious LGBTQ adults (particularly gay men, per reviews) who prioritize low rent and included utilities and who do not need assisted care or robust on-site services. Before committing, visitors should (1) confirm current management stability and maintenance responsiveness, (2) inspect HVAC and unit conditions (especially AC), (3) ask about current occupancy and tenant mix, (4) verify transportation options to shopping and medical services, and (5) assess personal safety needs for evening hours. Those who need meals, healthcare support, active programming, full in-unit kitchens, or quieter/closer-to-shops locations should look elsewhere.

    Location

    Map showing location of Rainbow Vista

    About Rainbow Vista

    Rainbow Vista in Gresham, Oregon is an LGBTQ 55+ community that offers studio and one-bedroom apartments for older adults who want an easy, active lifestyle in a safe, discrimination-free setting, and the apartments have kitchenettes, private step-in showers, and basic internet service, plus rent covers utilities, laundry, and parking, though phone service isn't included. Residents can bring one cat or dog per apartment, which is nice for pet lovers, and folks here enjoy group activities like movie nights, barbecue cookouts, restaurant outings, music room events, game nights with a pool table, and holiday or birthday celebrations in a comfortable, communal environment, and there are large event and chat spaces, a fitness center, a video theatre, a game room, and off-street parking. The building has features like walk-in tubs, wheelchair and walking assistance, sprinkler systems, and is handicap accessible, and it gives seniors access to resources such as internet plans for seniors, cell phones, hearing aids, and safety options like medication dispensers and ID theft protection. While the community doesn't provide food, medical care, or direct assisted living services, it does support independent living and connects folks to local advisors and care services-so seniors who want some extra help can get home care aides for companionship, non-medical support, or personal care, and information is available for veteran benefits and continuing care with options for congregate living, memory care including Alzheimer's and dementia programs, assisted living, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and support for those needing shared homes with a live-in caregiver. Residents can choose from independent living, senior apartments, condos, and townhomes, with services and amenities designed to simplify daily life-like maintenance, cable TV, washers/dryers, and housekeeping. Rainbow Vista also cares about safety and well-being by offering medical alert options such as Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian, and ADT Medical Alert, and there's senior-focused home security alongside social, educational, and wellness programs. The community's open to everyone, with a strong focus on making sure LGBTQ seniors feel welcome, and it's won recognition for being friendly, having good activities, and being a great place for older adults, so people looking for stress-free, no-fuss living with the freedom to be themselves will find a range of living choices that meet different needs, even though the facility isn't set up for those needing full meals, round-the-clock medical care, or daily hands-on help.

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