Harriet Tubman Terrace in Berkeley, CA

Pros

• The renovation is beautiful, with new floors, cabinets, bathroom, and kitchen.
• The staff and manager are always kind and attentive.
• The property manager was friendly, knowledgeable, and extremely helpful.
• It is a very nice place to live.
• It is the best place to stay.

Cons

• The facility is not suitable for living.
• There are rats, roaches, and bed bugs.
• There is mold in the building.
• Renovation is underway with tenants living inside.
• There is dust, spiders, and water issues for three days straight from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Tenants, including seniors, are living on the premises during renovations.
• This violates the Disability Act.

Review

Harriet Tubman Terrace in Berkeley is best suited for seniors who prize a freshly renovated living environment and a consistently kind, attentive management presence. The unit interiors have been updated with new floors, cabinets, bathrooms, and kitchen touches that create a contemporary, move-in-ready impression. The overall atmosphere, according to multiple residents, is welcoming, and the property team, especially the manager, comes across as friendly, knowledgeable, and responsive. For families seeking a building that feels current and well cared for, with staff that will engage and support, this community checks those boxes.

Those considering alternatives should pay particular attention to two red flags that color every decision. First, there are serious pest and mold concerns raised by some residents, including rats, roaches, and bed bugs, along with mold issues. Second, ongoing renovations are happening with tenants still living in place, bringing dust, noise, and disruption during typical hours. For seniors with respiratory or immune-suppressed conditions, or for anyone who cannot tolerate interruptions to daily living, these factors may outweigh the modern aesthetic. In short, this is not a hands-off, pristine environment for residents who require an extremely stable, low-disruption setting.

The strongest pros, renovated, attractive interiors and a staff that is consistently described as kind and attentive, directly address common senior-living desires: comfort, ease of maintenance, and reliable interpersonal support. When the management team is portrayed as friendly and helpful, that translates into smoother day-to-day experiences, quicker responses to requests, and a sense of community. For families who value transparent communication and a staff that appears to take resident welfare seriously, these attributes can meaningfully enhance quality of life, especially in an environment where daily living can be challenging.

Yet the cons cannot be dismissed. Pest infestations and mold present clear health and safety risks that are not easily mitigated by a pleasant lobby or updated cabinetry. The reality of renovations ongoing while tenants reside in units compounds these risks with dust, potential exposure to construction debris, and months of disruption to routines. For someone who prioritizes a quiet, consistently clean living space, or for a resident with allergies or asthma, these conditions could overwhelm the otherwise attractive renovation narrative. In practice, the positives do not wholly offset the health and quality-of-life concerns raised by multiple reviewers.

Decision-makers should approach Harriet Tubman Terrace with a structured checklist. Before committing, request a walk-through of units during active renovation periods to assess dust control, air quality, and noise levels, and confirm the relocation support or temporary housing options if needed. Ask for a clear, written pest-management plan with recent service history and guarantees of remediation timelines. Review the lease for assurances about renovations, access, and the likelihood of further interruptions. Compare with other Berkeley options that demonstrate long-standing pest control records, stable occupancy, and a fully finished, non-disruptive environment to determine whether a more settled alternative would better fit long-term health needs and daily living priorities.

Overall, Harriet Tubman Terrace represents a compelling choice for families seeking modern interiors, attentive management, and a community that feels cared for, provided the prospective resident can tolerate ongoing construction and the risk of pests and mold. It is less suitable for those who require a pristine, low-disruption setting or who are especially vulnerable to environmental irritants. For those willing to navigate renovation disruption with a proactive, responsive team in place, this community can be a strong fit. For others, and especially for health-sensitive seniors, exploring other Berkeley options with proven pest control and steady environments is the prudent path.

This part of Berkeley, California offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With multiple pharmacies in close proximity, accessing necessary medications is easy. The nearby parks provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. In terms of healthcare, there are several reputable physician offices and medical centers nearby for comprehensive care. Various dining options ranging from casual eateries to cafes offer convenient meal choices. Public transportation options such as BART stations and bus stops make getting around the area hassle-free. Additionally, entertainment options like theaters are within a reasonable distance. Overall, this part of Berkeley provides a well-rounded and accessible environment for seniors looking to enjoy their retirement years with convenience and comfort.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.1 miles)
• CBCB GFTCRD (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Farmacy Berkeley (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Grove Park (0.2 miles)
• Willard Park (0.7 miles)
• Presentation Mini Park (0.9 miles)
• Temescal Creek Park (1.5 miles)
• Cedar Rose Park (1.7 miles)
• Live Oak Park (1.9 miles)
• Berkeley Rose Garden (2 miles)

Physicians

• Sutter Urgent Care: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (0.5 miles)
• Berkeley Pediatrics (1.4 miles)
• Kiwi Pediatrics Medical Group (2.4 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Mosswood Building (2.4 miles)
• One Medical (3 miles)
• Sutter East Bay Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• Urology: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (5 miles)

Restaurants

• Homemade Cafe (0.8 miles)
• Mezzo (0.8 miles)
• Bakesale Betty (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (1.6 miles)
• Saul's Restaurant and Deli (1.7 miles)
• Fentons Creamery (2.2 miles)
• Cato's Ale House (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Caffe Strada (1.1 miles)
• Highwire Coffee Roasters (1.3 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (1.9 miles)
• Hal's Office (2.8 miles)
• Bicycle Coffee (4.2 miles)
• Cafe N!ne (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)

Transportation

• Emeryville Amtrak (1.7 miles)
• MacArthur BART Station (1.9 miles)
• El Cerrito Plaza BART Station (3.5 miles)
• West Oakland BART Station (3.9 miles)
• Lake Merritt BART Station (4.1 miles)
• 20/21 Bus Stop (5.1 miles)
• Fruitvale BART Station (6.1 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Bay Street 16 (2.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center (2.3 miles)
• Kaiser OB-GYN (2.4 miles)
• Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center: Summit Camps (2.5 miles)
• Highland Hospital (4.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (4.3 miles)