Hillside Senior Living

    200 Skidmore Blvd, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877
    4.5 · 13 reviews
    • Independent living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    5.0

    Bright, convenient building with amenities

    I live here and overall I'm very happy - the building is clean, bright and upgraded (big floor-to-ceiling windows, marble counters, new appliances) and the location is super convenient with groceries and transit nearby. Staff and management are professional, attentive and responsive, the cooks are great, and residents are friendly; there are lots of activities plus a courtyard, pool, library, computer room and exercise space, and all utilities are included. Downsides: apartments can be small with limited closet space, laundry and elevator issues crop up, and maintenance is thin at times, but problems are usually handled quickly. Good value for independent living - I'd recommend it.

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    Amenities

    4.46 · 13 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      4.3
    • Staff

      4.3
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      4.0
    • Value

      5.0

    Pros

    • Clean and bright facility
    • Responsive and attentive office staff
    • Friendly, professional, and helpful staff
    • Efficient and communicative management
    • Responsive maintenance technician
    • New/upgraded apartments with modern finishes
    • Large floor-to-ceiling/cheery windows
    • All utilities included in rent
    • Spacious units in many buildings
    • Safety features in units (safety bars)
    • Marble countertops and updated appliances
    • On-site amenities: courtyard, outdoor pool and lounge
    • Indoor amenities: library, computer room, conference room
    • Exercise/gym room available
    • On-site laundry facilities
    • Bar/lounge area for TV/music
    • Active social programming (bingo, cookouts, dancing, yoga)
    • Friendly and social resident community
    • Pet-friendly with residents' dogs noted as cute
    • Convenient location near stores, grocery, highways and transit
    • Low deposits and move-in specials / favorable price/value
    • Converted hotel lobby and common areas with attractive design
    • Quick access to emergency care / health services nearby
    • High demand indicating popularity
    • Safe, independent living atmosphere (not nursing home feel)

    Cons

    • Inconsistent or limited elevator service (some buildings lack elevators)
    • Reports of elevators getting stuck for long periods
    • Laundry room location inconvenient for some residents
    • Closets and storage smaller than advertised
    • Some apartment layouts and room sizes are small
    • Occasional maintenance issues (rotten wood in courtyard, insects/bees)
    • Insufficient courtyard lighting
    • Bees and other insect problems in outdoor spaces
    • Some residents report unfriendly staff/treatment
    • Limited maintenance staffing (sometimes only one technician)
    • Lack of controlled access / outdoor-unit entrances reduce security
    • Mixed reports on activity availability (some say none)
    • Interrupted services (e.g., lunch deliveries stopped)
    • Shopping strip nearby considered unattractive
    • Inconsistent transit access reports (some say no bus service)
    • Winter snow/ice makes getting around difficult for some
    • Key fob/entry system problems (though often resolved)
    • Closets smaller than expected / walk-in closet awkwardly placed
    • Converted-hotel layout causes occasional inconveniences
    • Some business practices and apartment policies disliked by a few residents

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is largely positive, with frequent praise for the staff, cleanliness, updated apartments, and community atmosphere. Many reviewers highlight the facility’s modern feel—partly due to its conversion from a former hotel—with bright units, large windows, attractive lobby areas, and upgraded finishes such as marble countertops and updated appliances. All-utilities-included pricing, low deposits, and move-in specials contribute to a perception of good value. The location is often cited as a convenience advantage—close to grocery stores, transit options, and major highways—making it attractive for independent seniors who want quick access to shopping and emergency care.

    Staff and management receive consistently strong marks in most reviews. Office staff, receptionists, and resident managers are described as responsive, attentive, and professional. Multiple reviewers note outstanding communication from management and an ability to resolve minor problems quickly. Maintenance technicians are generally characterized as helpful and prompt, and specific incidents (e.g., key fob failures) are usually reported as resolved to residents’ satisfaction. Several reviewers specifically recommend the community as a safe, quality independent living option and emphasize that it does not feel like a nursing home, which many families appreciate.

    Facilities and amenities are a major strength. The property offers a broad range of shared spaces: a large courtyard and barbecue area, outdoor pool and lounge, a library, computer room, conference room, an exercise/gym room, and a social bar/lounge area. Many residents enjoy an active social calendar with bingo, cookouts, dance classes, and yoga. Apartments range from spacious converted hotel rooms to smaller units; safety enhancements such as bathroom safety bars are noted. While on-site laundry is available and convenient for many, some residents find the placement or access to laundry rooms inconvenient (e.g., downstairs access or distance from certain buildings).

    Despite the many positives, several recurring concerns are noteworthy and may affect prospective residents differently depending on needs and expectations. The building’s hotel-origin layout creates variability: some buildings lack elevator service or have elevators that can become unreliable, and certain units have smaller-than-advertised closets or awkward layout choices (such as a walk-in closet in a bathroom). Courtyard maintenance issues—rotten wood, insufficient lighting, and insect/bee problems—were reported by multiple reviewers. A few residents described unpleasant interactions or perceived unfriendly staff, and limited maintenance staffing (occasionally only one technician) was raised as a concern. Security is mixed in perception: while many feel safe and note quick access to emergency care, the presence of outdoor-unit entrances and limited controlled access was mentioned as a disadvantage by some.

    Activity offerings and social life appear broadly positive but inconsistent in a few accounts. Several reviewers describe a lively social scene and frequent programming; others report little to no activities, suggesting that the quality and frequency of programming may vary over time or between buildings. Dining impressions are mainly favorable—several reviewers praise the cooks and meal experience—though practical service changes (for example, lunch delivery services stopping) were highlighted as inconveniences for some residents.

    In summary, Hillside Senior Living presents as a well-regarded independent living community with many tangible strengths: updated, bright living spaces, strong and responsive staff, a wide range of amenities, and good value for price. Prospective residents who prioritize community life, on-site amenities, and attentive management are likely to find this facility appealing. Those who require elevator access in every building, larger closets or uniformly large floor plans, more rigorous controlled-access security, or consistently flawless outdoor/micro-maintenance may want to tour specific buildings and ask targeted questions about elevator service, closet dimensions, laundry locations, maintenance staffing, pest mitigation, and courtyard repairs before committing. Overall trends suggest management is responsive and often resolves issues, and recent feedback indicates an active effort to listen to and address resident concerns.

    Location

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