Jason Lee Manor Apartments

    1551 Center St NE, Salem, OR, 97301
    4.0 · 9 reviews
    • Independent living
    • Assisted living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    5.0

    Affordable caring community with amenities

    I live here and I'm blown away - a well-managed, non-profit, HUD-subsidized independent living community (62+) that's very affordable with amazing amenities: a giant library, creekside park with wildlife, and a wonderful, caring community. The staff and management are fabulous and helped me a lot after my total knee replacement; the building is clean and recently refurbished. It's an older, not-fancy building with no private bathrooms and a central nurses' station that gives a bit of a nursing-home vibe, and there's a waitlist over a year. Still - OMG, I have my own apartment and I'm honestly lost for words.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.00 · 9 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.5
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      3.7
    • Value

      5.0

    Pros

    • Very affordable
    • Non-profit, HUD-subsidized
    • Independent living with private apartments
    • Recently refurbished / nice updates
    • Clean
    • Fabulous, well-respected staff
    • High-quality care
    • Wonderfully managed
    • Amazing amenities
    • Strong sense of community
    • Large library
    • Attractive outdoor area (park/creek, picnic benches, wildlife)
    • Excellent customer service

    Cons

    • Older building / not fancy
    • Long waitlist (>1 year)
    • Some units lack private bathrooms
    • Central nurses station / nursing-home vibe
    • Not an assisted living facility (may not suit higher-care needs)

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in these reviews is strongly positive, with repeated emphasis on affordability, management quality, staff, and community amenities. Reviewers consistently note that Jason Lee Manor Apartments is a non-profit, HUD-subsidized independent senior housing option for people 62+, which makes it an attractive choice for seniors seeking budget-friendly housing. Many commenters call out how clean the property is and that it has been recently refurbished, describing updates and a noticeable improvement in appearance and condition.

    Staff and management receive particularly high marks across the summaries. Words and phrases used include "fabulous staff," "well respected staff," "wonderfully managed," and "excellent customer service." These comments indicate that residents and visitors perceive both day-to-day interactions and overall administration very positively. The high regard for staff is reinforced by mentions of high-quality care — even where a clinical presence or nursing support is noted, reviewers still characterize the care as good or excellent.

    Facilities and amenities are another strong theme. While the building is described as older and "not fancy," reviewers appreciate recent refurbishments, cleanliness, and the sense that the property is well cared for. Specific amenities called out include a large library and attractive outdoor spaces along a creek with picnic benches and wildlife — features that contribute to a pleasant, community-centered environment. Multiple summaries emphasize a strong sense of community and call the place "special," "amazing," or a great place to be, suggesting social value beyond the physical property.

    There are notable caveats and potential concerns. The property’s age and modest style are repeatedly mentioned: it is not a luxury facility, and some reviewers explicitly say "not fancy." Operational or design choices also raise issues for some: several summaries mention the absence of private bathrooms in certain areas and a central nurses’ station, which contributes to a "nursing home vibe" for some residents. This creates a tension in the reviews — while the care provided is described as high quality, the visible nursing presence and layout may feel institutional to those expecting a purely independent-living atmosphere.

    Another practical consideration is demand: multiple summaries report a long waitlist, often longer than a year. That suggests the community is popular and in-demand, but also means prospective residents should be prepared for significant lead time. Relatedly, reviewers stress that Jason Lee Manor is independent living rather than assisted living; for people who require higher levels of daily medical assistance, this distinction could be important. One review mentions a resident post-total knee replacement, indicating some short-term recovery scenarios might be accommodated, but the broader point is that this is primarily an independent-living community.

    In summary, the reviews paint a picture of a well-managed, affordable, and community-oriented senior housing option with strong staff and good care. It is best-suited for seniors seeking HUD-subsidized, independent apartments and who value community amenities like a library and pleasant outdoor spaces. Prospective residents should weigh the building’s older, modest character, the potential lack of private bathrooms in some units, the visible nursing presence, and the lengthy waitlist when deciding if it matches their expectations and care needs.

    Location

    Map showing location of Jason Lee Manor Apartments

    About Jason Lee Manor Apartments

    Jason Lee Manor Apartments sits in a quiet corner of Salem, Oregon, at 1551 Center St NE, right in the Northeast Neighbors area, and is an older, clean building surrounded by natural beauty-there's a creek nearby with picnic benches and plenty of wildlife, making it feel peaceful and relaxed, which seniors often find calming, though the building itself looks a bit dated and doesn't have fancy touches. This community is made for folks 55 and older, offering both independent living and assisted living options, along with support for memory care and skilled nursing if that becomes needed later on, though rooms don't come with private bathrooms, and the apartments include studios or one-bedroom layouts that are kept up and well-maintained. You'll find support staff around the clock, ready to help with personal care or emergencies, and the premises have safety features like secure access, elevators, smoke alarms, and sprinkler systems, plus some units are accessible for people with mobility needs.

    Residents here don't have to go far to find what they need, since the place sits close to parks like Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park, shops including Keizer Station, groceries at Safeway or Winco Foods, pharmacies, cafes, health clinics, and hospitals, as well as local and international restaurants. Several bus routes, Amtrak, and car rentals are nearby, making it easier to get around town, while the community itself offers scheduled rides for errands and appointments, which some find handy. You'll find churches and other places of worship, theaters like Regal Cinemas or Elsinore Theatre, and the Salem Public Library a short trip away.

    The property has a pet-free policy, but there's access to a library, a comfortable reading room, gardening areas, and an activities room for arts, games, and social events. There's also a fitness center, wellness programs, and group activities to help keep residents active in body and mind. The on-site salon and barbershop, daily housekeeping, laundry services, and three daily meals are all included, plus there's Wi-Fi, cable TV, and kitchens or kitchenettes in some units. Housekeeping, mail delivery, maintenance, washers, dryers, and guest parking are all offered, though details may vary and it's best to check for specifics.

    Jason Lee Manor Apartments runs under the Section 8 (202) program, making it affordable for seniors who qualify, with some utilities included in rent-though it's a good idea to check for current terms and any extra costs. Folks living here are protected under local anti-discrimination laws based on factors including gender identity or source of income. The staff at Jason Lee Manor Apartments have a reputation for being helpful and cheerful, and they organize programs that support health and well-being, including partnerships with groups like Senior Services, Meals on Wheels, AARP, and links to the National Institute on Aging and other community health resources.

    Residents say there's a good sense of community here, with organized social gatherings and simple comforts, letting folks enjoy a safe, friendly place that's close to stores, healthcare, and everything they might need, though amenities are pretty standard and there's no flashy luxury features, pools, or patios. The building is non-smoking, offers fire safety standards, and has elevators for those who need them. Reviews point to a calm, welcoming feeling among neighbors and reliable assistance from staff, which some say helps make aging in this spot a bit easier without fuss.

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