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More Advice about Senior Apartments

My parents are looking to retire and move into a place that has multiple levels of care. I recently heard about St Paul's tower in oakland and wondered if anyone out there has a parent or parents there. If so please let me know what you think of it. My folks really want to move to Eskaton in Carmichael (sacramento area) but I would love to find a place closer to us (albany) so we can see them more easily. Thanks.

Re: Parents moving to the East Bay - housing options?
After looking at about a dozen places, my mom just moved into St. Paul's Towers a few weeks ago. We looked at all the places you mentioned plus a bunch more and St. Pauls was by far the nicest. It is what's called a life care community - they have independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, etc., so once residents are accepted and move in, they never have to move again.

The apartments are beautiful, 3 meals a day are included and served in the restaurant, weekly houskeeping is provided, there are lots of activities, outings, transportation available, etc. Both the staff and residents are extremely friendly, helpful, and welcoming. And of all the places we looked at, St. P's was one of the few that didn't feel like an ''old people's home'' - it feels and looks like a very nice apartment building.

The apartments range in size from studio to 2 br/2ba with full kitchen and deck. They are light, airy, well built, well laid out. And they apparently have a lot of apartments available right now, which is not usually the case.

St. Pauls definitely isn't cheap, but if you/your parents can afford it, I would say it is by far the best option in the east bay. happy with St. Paul's

Does anyone have a parent or loved one at St. Paul's Towers in Oakland? My 70 year old parents are looking into it, and I'm just not sure whether it will be right for them. They're used to a very quiet suburban neighborhood life in Northern Marin, and I wonder whether the very urban setting of St. Paul's could be a difficult adjustment. They have lived in one big city for a few years, Honolulu, which they enjoyed thoroughly, but Oakland might feel even busier and noisier to them? They are in fairly good health. My mother enjoys taking walks and my father rides a recumbent bike, both of which they could do around Lake Merritt. My mother would enjoy going to the museum, walking around Chinatown, etc. Both of them are afraid of traffic so I think they'd try public transportation. One thing's for certain, it is much more affordable than the options in Marin! I'd be grateful to hear from anyone with recent experience, Natasha

The community, a tower on the shores of Lake Merrit near Fairyland, has recently been rehabbed,and the apartments are very nice.

You and your parents can talk to the admissions staff to arrange to talk to current residents, to see what their experience is like. If your (your parents') concern is about the Towers ''urban environment'', I'd tell the admissions staff and ask for some formerly ''suburban'' residents to visit.

The Redwoods in Mill Valley is not expensive, but has a long waiting list. My mom's friend recently moved there and could only get a studio because the wait list for 1 and 2 bedroom apartments is so long.

Good luck. Merry