The Arbors Independent Living

    1100 William Styron Square South, Newport News, VA, 23606
    4.7 · 9 reviews
    • Independent living
    AnonymousLoved one of resident
    4.0

    Bright caring staff many amenities

    I toured this bright, sunny facility in a fantastic central location (across from a park) and was impressed by the beautiful grounds and good-sized apartments with full kitchens. Staff were wonderful, caring and very thorough on the tour - the place felt clean, safe and dementia-friendly, and my visit was very positive. There are tons of amenities and activities (bingo, book club, library, billiards, outings/concerts), an on-site bus, workout room, on-site shopping, laundry and flexible meals (30/mo included, room service for a fee); food is generally good but can be variable and the central dining room concept wasn't ideal for me. It's a very nice facility but pricey (no cable included, some better units would exceed my budget); no large upfront fee is a plus.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.67 · 9 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      5.0
    • Staff

      4.9
    • Meals

      4.2
    • Amenities

      4.3
    • Value

      3.0

    Pros

    • Bright, cheery, sunny apartments
    • Helpful, pleasant and caring staff
    • Room service available for a small fee
    • Flexible meal plans (including all-day dining and 30 meals/month)
    • No-reservation meals and late-night snack options
    • Many reviewers reported delicious or terrific meals
    • Wide range of activities (bingo, puzzles, book club, pool, billiards)
    • Regular outings and trips (concerts, shows, appointments)
    • On-site transportation / shuttle to appointments and events
    • Full kitchens in some apartments
    • Thorough, professional tour staff and tours
    • Clean, well-maintained facility
    • 24/7 security
    • Laundry service available
    • Dementia-friendly care options
    • On-site amenities (workout facility, on-site shopping, library)
    • Beautiful grounds and convenient, central location
    • Pet-friendly
    • No large upfront fee
    • Friendly front desk and dining staff

    Cons

    • Food quality described as inconsistent or variable
    • High cost / expensive / more expensive than expected
    • Some residents dislike the central dining room concept
    • Some units located far from elevators, creating accessibility/budget tradeoffs
    • Cable not included
    • Budget constraints can limit unit choices

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment in the reviews is strongly positive about the Arbors Independent Living as a high-quality, well-run community that offers a bright, comfortable living environment and a wide range of services and activities. Multiple reviewers describe the facility as beautiful, clean, and well-maintained with cheerful, sunny apartments and attractive grounds. The community is consistently praised for its convenient, central location (often cited as being near a park or music venues) and for having on-site amenities such as a library, workout facility, billiards, on-site shopping, and regular scheduled transportation. Several reviews specifically note there is no large upfront fee, which is highlighted as a favorable financial detail by some visitors.

    Staff and care quality emerge as one of the strongest themes. Reviewers repeatedly describe staff as friendly, pleasant, helpful, and caring. Tour staff are called professional and thorough, and front desk and dining staff receive positive mention. Reviewers also note dementia-friendly care options and 24/7 security, suggesting the community is attentive to safety and a range of resident needs. Several reviews explicitly mention that residents or parents are happy with the care and environment, which supports a generally favorable impression of management and daily operations.

    Amenities, activities, and social life are frequently praised. The community provides a robust calendar that includes bingo, puzzles, book club, pool, billiards, library hours, and organized outings to concerts and shows. Transportation to appointments and events is available on-site, and reviewers describe multiple opportunities for social engagement and trips, which is attractive for active seniors. Apartment features vary, with some units offering full kitchens — a point several reviewers appreciated. Laundry services, room service (for a small fee), and flexible dining (all-day options, late-night snacks) add to the convenience-focused appeal.

    Dining receives mixed but important attention. Many reviewers describe meals as delicious or terrific and praise convenient meal options, including flexible plans like 30 meals per month and no-reservation requirements. However, a recurring negative theme is inconsistency in food quality: some visitors say the food is excellent while others say it is just okay or not the best. A few reviewers specifically dislike the central dining room concept, preferring alternative dining arrangements. Overall, dining flexibility and convenience are strong positives, but food quality consistency is an area reviewers flag as variable.

    Cost and value are salient concerns. Multiple reviewers call the Arbors a high-end or very nice facility and explicitly note it is expensive or more costly than expected. Budget constraints are mentioned as a real factor that can limit which units are affordable; one review notes a preferred unit closer to the elevator would exceed budget, forcing compromise. Cable not being included is called out as a minor but tangible extra cost. In short, the Arbors appears positioned at the higher end of the market: reviewers who can afford it tend to be very pleased, while price-sensitive prospects may find it less accessible.

    Notable patterns and recommendations: reviewers consistently applaud the staff, cleanliness, location, and activity offerings, making the community well-suited for active seniors who want an engaged lifestyle and reliable on-site services. Dining flexibility and transportation are strong selling points, but prospective residents should anticipate premium pricing and should confirm dining quality and any service fees (room service, cable, etc.) during a tour. Unit placement within the building (distance from elevators) can affect affordability and convenience, so visitors should verify floor plans and locations against budget and mobility needs. Overall, the Arbors is portrayed as an appealing, high-quality independent living option with excellent service and amenities, balanced against higher costs and some variability in dining experiences.

    Location

    Map showing location of The Arbors Independent Living

    About The Arbors Independent Living

    The Arbors Independent Living in Newport News, Virginia, is a locally owned senior living community for adults 55 and over, offering a mix of independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care all in one place, so residents can get more help if they need it over time without having to move far, and people can live in spacious studio, one-bedroom, or two-bedroom apartments that each have wall-to-wall carpeting, individual heating and cooling controls, a washer and dryer, emergency response system, and a full kitchen with a dishwasher and garbage disposal, and people can bring their own furniture to make it feel like home. There's weekly housekeeping and laundry service, plus help with chores and errands, and folks can add extra help with things like dressing, bathing, grooming, or getting around if they need it, and nurses, therapists, and wellness staff are on-site day and night, and the building has sprinklers, smoke and fire detectors, a generator, and secure entrances for safety.

    Utilities like electricity, water, and sanitation are included, plus Wi-Fi, basic cable TV, and computer connections come in every apartment, and there's plenty to do with a library, card rooms, billiards lounge, movie theater, exercise rooms, dog park at some locations, fitness classes, and an activity center that hosts meetings, dances, art, crafts, and entertainment. There's a main dining room, a casual café, and a private family dining area for special events, and nutritious meals are prepared and served daily, with menus that can fit most dietary needs, and the full bar offers happy hours and social gatherings, so folks have places to relax and meet new people. The Arbors has a professional landscaping crew and full home maintenance staff to keep the surroundings tidy and safe, and residents get priority access to rehabilitation, skilled, and convalescent care at Virginia Health Services facilities if they ever need a stay for recovery.

    Transportation services, both scheduled and on demand, help people get to appointments, shopping, or outings, and the staff can help with pharmacy deliveries, errands, scheduling activities, and arranging tickets to events, and valet parking is available for those who still drive. The apartments and common areas have features for safety and ease, like wide doors, walk-in showers, grab bars, and elevators, and pets are allowed with some conditions, so folks don't have to give up their companions. There's help with Medicare and Medicaid claims, and payment processes are handled in partnership with Sunbound to make things less stressful for families, and billing is all-inclusive, covering most services in one fee so there aren't many surprises. The community encourages an active, social life, with group and private activities, outings, a community center, education programs, and health and wellness programs, and the staff aims to treat everyone kindly, like family. People can go on the Arbors website to read more, review care options, see how the sign-up or waiting list works, or set up a tour to see if it feels right for them.

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