Lakewood Meadows

    5228 112th Street SW, Lakewood, WA, 98499
    4.1 · 9 reviews
    • Independent living
    AnonymousCurrent/former resident
    4.0

    Mostly positive independent living experience

    I live here and overall it's been a mixed but mostly positive experience: friendly, professional management and staff, clean sunny apartments, large well-kept grounds with garden plots, dog-friendly, lots of activities, free shuttle/pantry, and convenient to shopping and the hospital. Maintenance is generally quick and meals are good, so it works well for independent seniors - my sister was happy here for 10 years. Major cautions: I had a roach issue on move-in and was billed for carpet/counter damage with no refund; shared laundry often breaks, neighbors can be noisy, and ownership changes have allowed some decline. I'd recommend it for those nearby or who want active independent living, but inspect carefully at move-in and watch for management shifts.

    Pricing

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    Amenities

    4.11 · 9 reviews

    Overall rating

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

      3.0
    • Staff

      4.2
    • Meals

      4.0
    • Amenities

      2.5
    • Value

      1.0

    Pros

    • Caring, friendly and personable staff
    • Responsive and effective maintenance crew (in many reports)
    • Large, well-maintained grounds
    • Garden plots for residents
    • Dog-friendly community
    • Close to hospital and quick ambulance access
    • Free weekly shuttle service
    • On-site free pantry
    • Numerous on-site activities and programs
    • Suitable for independent seniors
    • Clean, sunny and bright apartments
    • Convenient location near shopping and a swimming pool
    • Good meals/dining available
    • Overall sense of safety and home-like atmosphere
    • Spiritual options such as Bible study

    Cons

    • Pest infestation reported on move-in (roaches)
    • Deposit/refund disputes (refund not issued in at least one case)
    • Inconsistent or untimely maintenance for some residents
    • Charges billed for carpet and chipped counters
    • Poor cosmetic repairs (counters touched up with nail polish)
    • Shared washer/dryer frequently broken
    • Noisy or harassing neighbors; at least one police incident
    • Reports of new ownership being problematic
    • Some buildings or units described as run-down
    • Location may be far from family; long drive for visitors
    • Variable participation in activities (some residents not involved)

    Summary review

    Overall sentiment across the reviews is mixed but centers on two clear themes: staff, grounds, community amenities and day-to-day resident experience are frequently praised, while several serious operational and unit-specific problems are reported by other reviewers. Many reviews describe the staff as caring, friendly and personable, and they highlight a strong maintenance team, free services such as a weekly shuttle and pantry, well-kept grounds with garden plots, dog-friendly policies, proximity to hospital services and a generally safe, home-like atmosphere. These positive reports emphasize the facility's suitability for independent seniors who want on-site activities, social options like Bible study, and convenient access to shopping and local amenities.

    Care quality and staff: A large portion of reviews point to compassionate management and a staff that is efficient, professional and responsive. Residents and family members repeatedly praise managers and maintenance workers by name or description, calling them assets to the company and crediting them with quick fixes and a helpful attitude. This contributes to an overall perception that everyday care and support for independent living needs are strong in many parts of the community.

    Facilities and grounds: The property is often described as having large, well-maintained grounds, including garden plots and dog-friendly areas, which are significant positives for residents who value outdoor space and pet ownership. Apartments are characterized by some as sunny and bright, and the complex’s proximity to a hospital and reported fast ambulance response times add a layer of reassurance about emergency access. Additional conveniences singled out are a free weekly shuttle, an on-site pantry, nearby shopping and even a swimming pool close by.

    Activities and dining: Reviews commonly reference numerous on-site activities and options such as Bible study. Dining gets positive mentions for good meals being available, and many residents appreciate the ability to cook their own meals if they prefer. However, involvement in activities is uneven—some residents report limited participation—so the social vibrancy may vary by individual engagement, building, or cohort.

    Problems with units, maintenance and management: Despite many positives, there are notable and serious complaints that should not be overlooked. At least one reviewer reported a roach infestation upon move-in and an unresolved refund dispute, which is a significant red flag for unit cleanliness and management responsiveness in that instance. Other complaints include being charged for carpet replacement and for chipped counters, with substandard repairs (for example, counters “touched up” with nail polish) noted. Shared laundry facilities are reported to be frequently broken, and some residents describe certain buildings or units as run-down. There are also reports of untimely maintenance for some residents, indicating inconsistency in service levels.

    Safety and neighbor issues: Although several reviewers describe the community as safe, there are isolated but serious reports of noisy or harassing neighbors and at least one incident that required police involvement. Such incidents suggest variability in resident behavior and enforcement of community standards, which could affect perceived safety for some prospective residents.

    Management variability and ownership concerns: Reviews are polarized about management—some call it the best management team with caring managers, while others say new owners have been terrible. This dichotomy suggests possible recent changes in ownership or management practices, or inconsistencies between different buildings/teams within the community. Billing disputes (refunds not issued, charges for damage) and differing accounts of maintenance responsiveness point toward administrative variability that prospective residents should investigate.

    Patterns and actionable considerations: The reviews collectively suggest a facility that can offer a strongly positive independent living experience—good staff, pleasant grounds, helpful services and activities—but with pockets of serious operational lapses that have materially affected some residents. The disparity of reports points to either uneven building conditions, recent managerial changes, or inconsistent enforcement of policies. Prospective residents and families should arrange an in-person tour, inspect the specific unit they would occupy for cleanliness and signs of pests, inquire about pest control and move-in inspection procedures, clarify damage/charge and refund policies, ask about the condition and maintenance schedule for shared laundry, and request references from long-term residents or families, especially in buildings with long-tenured satisfied residents. Reviewing how recent ownership changes have impacted operations and asking to speak with current management about complaints reported would help clarify whether negative reports are isolated or systemic.

    In summary, Lakewood Meadows appears to offer many desirable features for independent seniors—friendly staff, good amenities, and well-kept outdoor space—but also has at least a few serious, specific complaints (pest infestation on move-in, billing disputes, inconsistent maintenance, laundry reliability, and neighbor incidents). Those positives and negatives are both prominent in the reviews, so careful, unit-specific due diligence is advisable before moving in.

    Location

    Map showing location of Lakewood Meadows

    About Lakewood Meadows

    Lakewood Meadows Senior Affordable Apartments is a community set up mainly for low-income seniors aged 62 and older, running Monday to Friday from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, staying closed on weekends, and you'll notice right away that the focus stays on affordability and comfort, with fixed rent apartments plus an option for income-based rent charging about 30% of your monthly income, and there's no asset spend down needed, which helps a lot of people out. The place is owned and operated by Senior Housing Assistance Group, or SHAG, which is a nonprofit known for making rental housing manageable for seniors who need to watch their spending. You've got professionally managed apartments, with one- and two-bedroom floor plans-somewhere between 529 and 651 square feet-where some units have private patios, you find carpeted floors, full-sized kitchens, and plenty of storage, so there's enough room to live a regular life and not feel boxy or stuck. Seniors who have pets, especially cats or small dogs under 25 pounds, are allowed to bring them along, and it's a pretty common sight to see folks walking their little dogs around the landscaped grounds.

    Garden plots sit on the property, and the grounds themselves stay well-maintained, which gives you outdoor paths and big space to walk or just sit and watch the birds, and sometimes you'll notice people tending their plants on good days. Amenities really do match up with what seniors need, leaning toward both comfort and convenience, like a free pantry, a shuttle bus for weekly shopping trips, or easy access to a nearby hospital if anyone needs urgent help. The on-site management team keeps an eye on things, organizing activities now and then, and stepping in when something breaks, while also making sure everyone gets supported, even to the point where if phone calls don't work, families can come in and talk face-to-face with the manager. For care, the community offers different options like Assisted Living, Memory Care, Independent Living, Home Care, and Care Homes, but there are no specific details given about what each type means or includes, which might be something to ask about in person. Moving in means filling out paperwork, paying a small application fee between $25 and $50 by money order, and turning in things like ID cards, Social Security cards, proof of income, sometimes bank statements, and references from past landlords or personal friends, all to fit the requirements of their Low Income Housing Tax Credit setup. Maintenance staff are known for being friendly and capable, and the management team tries to stay connected to everyone, to keep things running smoothly and safely. This place always keeps its focus on serving seniors who want quality living at prices they can handle, and there's always a sense of a community where you can walk outside, maybe tend a garden, chat a while, and depend on someone to help if you need it.

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