Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but leans toward positive when it comes to staff, community atmosphere, grounds, and activity programming, with repeated and strong praise for friendly and caring employees. Many reviewers highlight that staff often know residents by name, are accommodating at meals and events, and create a homey, welcoming environment. The property is frequently described as having beautiful landscaping, a large courtyard, walking paths, and wildlife that add to a serene and attractive setting. Renovations have produced newly updated units in many cases, with several reviewers noting spacious redesigned apartments, modern finishes, in-unit AC/heat, walk-in closets, kitchenettes or full kitchens, and ADA-compliant bathrooms or walk-in showers in multiple units.
Care and safety remarks are variable and highly dependent on the time and specific unit. Some reviews praise on-site nursing support, safety checks, emergency call switches, and helpful caretaking staff available daily. Others warn that the community primarily operates as independent living and that 24/7 staffing, meal service, and wellness monitoring have at times been reduced or removed. Several reviewers reported emergency call buttons or desk coverage changes, creating concern about around-the-clock availability for residents who require higher levels of care. There are positive accounts of transportation services to doctors and shopping, escorted community outings, and flexible care arrangements for residents who need a slightly higher level of assistance.
Dining and food services are a clear point of division. Many reviews describe enjoyable meals, accommodating dining staff, scenic dining areas and patio seating, and popular menu items. At the same time a substantial number of reviews report declining food quality, small portions, items frequently out of stock, the removal of meal service without notice, long wait times in the dining room, and tight dining spaces. Reviewers also mention inconsistent meal policies and extra fees for meal delivery, creating confusion and dissatisfaction. Prospective residents who prioritize robust dining should verify current meal availability, menu quality, portioning, and any meal credit system directly with management.
Activities, social life, and amenities are frequently cited as strengths. There is a broad array of programming mentioned including book clubs, exercise classes, bingo, live music, arts and crafts, and regular outings. Many reviewers applaud an active calendar and social atmosphere that fosters laughter and community interaction. On-site amenities reported include a beauty parlor, theater, game rooms, gym space, laundry facilities per floor, and storage units. That said, activity levels appear tied to management stability and occupancy; some reviewers noted fewer or repetitive activities, especially during pandemic disruptions or times of low occupancy.
Significant concerns center on management, maintenance, and cleanliness. Multiple reviewers flag high management turnover, the loss of an on-site manager, poor communication about changes, bookkeeping or payment administration problems, and worry about a corporate takeover by Pacifica Senior Living. Maintenance and infrastructure problems are recurring themes: reports include hot water or heating outages lasting days to weeks, plumbing issues caused by tree roots, broken exterior lighting, windows that went years without cleaning, and even condemned structures like balconies in some accounts. Several reviews describe pest problems including cockroaches, mice, and bed bugs, as well as pesticide spraying that raised health concerns. These are serious red flags that prospective residents should investigate thoroughly and ask management for remediation records and pest-control history.
Other practical issues reported across reviews include inconsistent housekeeping (sometimes intermittent or discontinued), occasional security lapses (no gate, sidewalks missing to the street, visitors forced to park on the street), noise complaints (hallway doors, neighbors), and unit variability (some spacious renovated units versus small, box-like studios or units lacking full appliances). There is also disparity in perceived value: many residents and reviewers find the pricing reasonable or even affordable given the services included, while others feel units are pricey relative to the building condition or in light of removed services.
In summary, The Crest at Citrus Heights presents a complex picture. Strengths are concentrated in staff friendliness, active social programming, attractive grounds, many renovated unit options, and useful services such as laundry, transportation, and on-site salon. The most significant weaknesses are management instability, maintenance and safety issues, pest problems, inconsistent or removed dining and housekeeping services, and serious communication lapses. These patterns suggest that experiences can vary widely depending on timing, unit, and management status. Prospective residents or families should schedule a current in-person visit, confirm which services are presently offered (meals, 24/7 staffing, emergency response), request maintenance, pest control, and inspection records, and probe recent management turnover and occupancy rates before making a decision.
