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Brookdale University Park in Birmingham, AL

Brookdale University Park is an assisted living and memory care community in Birmingham, AL.

Information last verified: June 16, 2026

400 University Park Dr., Birmingham, AL 35209

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.2 from 112 reviews

5 stars

73

4 stars

19

3 stars

2

2 stars

3

1 stars

15

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Brookdale University Park Costs & Pricing

Brookdale University Park offers a range of living options with prices that reflect its premium services and amenities. For studios, residents can expect to pay between $3,095 and $9,353 per month, which is significantly higher than the county's average of $4,002 and Alabama's average of $3,279. One-bedroom units are priced at $3,570, slightly above Jefferson County's rate of $3,094 but competitive compared to the state average of $3,417. The cost for two-bedroom apartments at Brookdale stands at $5,070 - far exceeding both local and state averages of $3,079 and $3,788 respectively. Semi-private accommodations come in at $7,195 monthly while private rooms demand a premium price of $8,634; both costs surpass the county averages ($4,413 for semi-private and $4,926 for private). Overall, while Brookdale University Park's pricing is on the higher side compared to regional norms, it likely reflects the quality of life and care provided within its community.

Floor plans	Brookdale University Park	Jefferson County	Alabama
Studio	$3,095 to $9,353	$4,002	$3,279
1 Bedroom	$3,570	$3,094	$3,417
2 Bedrooms	$5,070	$3,079	$3,788
Semi-Private	$7,195	$4,413	$3,495
Private	$8,634	$4,926	$4,158

Overall Review of Brookdale University Park

common 17 reviews mention this

Dining draws mixed reactions

Dining is a frequent topic, with both strong praise and serious complaints.

Several residents and family members say the food is a highlight, mentioning favorites like the bistro pizza, restaurant-style dining, and meals that leave people raving. Some also reference specific diet needs and say the dining experience works better than expected. At the same time, other reviewers describe dining as underwhelming or even poor, pointing to slow service, buffet complaints, and concerns about food quality and nutrition. A common thread is that dining satisfaction depends heavily on the day and the person’s needs.

common 32 reviews mention this

Staff warmth is often praised

Many reviewers describe staff who are caring, pleasant, and responsive to needs.

A large share of reviews focus on staff attitude, describing caregivers, nurses, CNAs, and therapy teams as friendly, helpful, and attentive. Families also mention communication that keeps them informed, along with help through difficult situations during stays and care transitions. Some reviewers highlight specific roles like social work, therapy, and skilled nursing when explaining why they felt supported. However, a minority of reviews report the opposite experience—rudeness, lack of follow-through, and missed needs—which suggests quality can vary by unit and shift.

caveat 18 reviews mention this

Communication and staffing feel inconsistent

Some families report problems reaching staff or getting timely, consistent care.

Communication is a repeated concern, including difficulty getting phones answered or returned and trouble speaking directly with nurses about medications and questions. Several reviews also describe staffing gaps, with complaints about understaffing, missed call buttons, and long waits for assistance. Others mention turnover and changing personnel, which can be especially stressful for people with dementia. Even when the facility is described as generally well cared for, these reviews emphasize that follow-through and responsiveness were not always dependable.

common 11 reviews mention this

Rehab and therapy get credit

Residents often credit the rehab and therapy teams for progress during stays.

Multiple reviews describe rehab experiences where PT/OT personnel were upbeat and knowledgeable, and families felt their loved one received competent therapy support. Some reviewers say therapy helped people discharge sooner than expected, and others mention improved health after engaging with regular care routines. A few reviews also describe serious breakdowns during rehab related to care tasks and medical follow-up, but those are in the minority compared with the positive rehab comments. Overall, therapy performance is one of the more consistently discussed strengths in resident stories.

caveat 4 reviews mention this

Costs are called out as stressful

Some reviewers say pricing and billing issues added stress for their families.

While the community is described by many as a good value, several reviewers bring up cost-related concerns, including monthly pricing pressure and the burden of billing corrections. A review specifically discusses paying out of pocket after Medicare stopped and feeling they did not get their money’s worth. Another describes charges that needed repeated corrections after contract terms like a free month were expected. This theme shows up alongside otherwise positive care feedback, so it appears to affect the experience even for families who liked other parts of the stay.

common 5 reviews mention this

Location supports visits

The location is repeatedly mentioned as convenient for family members to visit.

Families cite convenience and proximity as a reason they chose the community, describing it as easy for them to get to when problems come up. Some reviewers also mention the surrounding area in the context of tours and deciding between communities. For those visiting regularly, this appears to be part of what makes day-to-day family involvement more manageable. The nearby mix of medical offices and retail also fits the “easy to access” theme reviewers bring up.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes become a section.

Features

Types of Care

Assisted Living
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Independent Living
Memory Care

Pets

Cats allowed
Dogs allowed

Amenities

Activities off-site
Activities on-site
Air-conditioning
Bath tubs
Beautician on-site
Cable or satellite TV
Devotional services off-site
Devotional services on-site
Dining room
Full kitchen
Fully furnished
Garden
Ground floor units
Handicap accessible
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Move-in coordination
Outdoor common areas
Outdoor space
Pet friendly
Respite or short term stays offered
Telephone
Wheelchair accessible showers
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

Birmingham International (8 miles away)

Care Services

24-hour supervision
Activities of daily living assistance
Ambulatory care
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Coordination with health care providers
Dementia waiver
Diabetes diet
Diabetic care
Hospice waiver
Incontinence care
Meal preparation and service
Medication management
Special dietary restrictions
Specialized memory care programming
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments

Dining

Diabetes diet
Gluten-free
Guest meals
International cuisine
Low / no sodium
Meals provided
No Sugar
Professional chef
Restaurant style dining
Room service
Special dietary restrictions
Special dining programs
Vegan
Vegetarian

Activities

Art classes
Catholic services
Community-sponsored activities
Cooking classes
Devotional activities offsite
Devotional activities on-site
Educational speakers / life long learning
Jewish services
Karaoke
Live well programs
Protestant services
Scheduled daily activities
Visiting Rabbi
Visiting chaplain or priest

Nearby Places of Interest

This section of Birmingham, Alabama, offers a variety of amenities that may be appealing to seniors looking to relocate. With multiple physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals in close proximity, residents have access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, there are several places of worship for spiritual fulfillment and support. The area also boasts a selection of restaurants and cafes for dining out or grabbing a cup of coffee with friends. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, parks and trails are nearby for leisurely strolls or exercise. Overall, this part of Birmingham provides a convenient and well-rounded community for senior living.

Physicians

DR Ronald McCoy Doctor of Medicine (0.7 miles)
MedHelp (0.8 miles)
VisionFirst Eye Center (0.9 miles)
Alabama Eye Services (1.3 miles)
Brookwood Professional Building (1.3 miles)
Radbill Lance E DO Phys (1.4 miles)
Alabama Allergy & Asth (1.5 miles)

Theaters

AMC DINE-IN Vestavia Hills 1 (0.8 miles)
AMC Summit 16 (4.1 miles)

Parks

Lakeshore Running Trail (0.8 miles)
Railroad Park (3.7 miles)
Loch Haven Dog Park (3.8 miles)
Rotary Trail (3.8 miles)
Oxmoor Park (4.1 miles)
Avondale Park (4.7 miles)

Pharmacies

Walgreens (1 miles)
Vestavia Hills Apothecary (1.4 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
Walgreens (1.7 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
Walgreens (2.2 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)

Places of Worship

Covenant Presbyterian Church (1.1 miles)
All Saints Episcopal Church (1.2 miles)
Dawson Family of Faith (1.3 miles)
Grace Covenant Baptist Church (2.5 miles)
Canterbury United Methodist Church (3.3 miles)
Levite Jewish Community Center (4.6 miles)

Restaurants

Paw Paw Patch (1.4 miles)
Pappas' Grill (1.5 miles)
Taco Casa (1.5 miles)
Chick-Fil-A (1.6 miles)
Salem's Diner (1.6 miles)
Ruth's Chris Steak House (2.3 miles)
Chick-Fil-A (3 miles)

Cafes

Starbucks (1.8 miles)
Continental Bakery (2.9 miles)
Starbucks (3.6 miles)
Starbucks (3.7 miles)
Starbucks (3.7 miles)
The Essential (4 miles)
Revelator Coffee Company (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital (3.2 miles)
Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children (3.4 miles)
Women & Infants Center (3.4 miles)
UAB Spain-Wallace Building (3.4 miles)
UAB Hospital (3.4 miles)
Ascension St Vincent’s Birmingham (3.5 miles)
Community Health Systems (3.8 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live at Brookdale University Park in Birmingham, AL?

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