Strawberry Creek Lodge

Pros

• The grounds and gardens are beautiful.
• The outdoor patio is nice.
• The building offers lots of community events.
• The location is in a nice area of Berkeley.
• The staff are respectful and the units are cozy.
• The setting among tall trees and the back yard provides a peaceful atmosphere.
• The overall impression is that the place is paradise with nice people.

Cons

• The property is described as dirty with unattractive decor and poor surface treatment.
• The environment has shifted from a family-like atmosphere to a stiff and hard place for tenants to live.
• Most long-term residents have moved away because of the staff.
• Staff turnover is frequent, occurring more than once per year.
• A staff member verbally attacked a resident on two occasions within two years.
• The property management appears to be afraid of its own staff.
• There is concern for the welfare of the elderly residents living there.

Review

Strawberry Creek Lodge sits in Berkeley as a senior living apartment building with a mixed reputation shaped by decades of occupancy and evolving management. One longtime reviewer, an in-home care provider who has worked at the lodge for more than 30 years, speaks with a candor born of long service. They describe SAHA as entering the picture about a decade ago and watching the property drift from a family-friendly feel into something steps removed from that warmth and familiarity. In their view, many of the long-term residents have left because of the staff, and turnover among caregivers and other personnel has been high - frequent enough that it's been described as happening more often than yearly.

The same voice recounts more troubling incidents: over two years, they were verbally attacked by a staff member not once, but twice, each time in a public area of the property. In both instances, a resident intervened to come to the provider's aid, but the staff member herself did not seem to care about the interruption or the danger such exchanges posed. The provider has since retired, yet the underlying concern remains pressing: what kind of environment is being created for the elderly residents when tensions between staff and caregivers spill into common spaces? The sense of fear among property management - "afraid of her own staff," as the reviewer puts it - adds a layer of unease about how residents are protected and whether the day-to-day climate inside the lodge really serves those who live there.

Because of these ongoing concerns, the reviewer says they intend to contact board members from both Strawberry Creek Lodge and SAHA. They note that SAHA's involvement is not permanent - their contract is set to end in about five years - and they hope a better choice will be made for the future management of the property and the residents who call it home. The implication is clear: leadership at Strawberry Creek Lodge, in collaboration with SAHA, has a significant impact on whether the environment remains welcoming and safe for elderly residents or drifts toward something more rigid and impersonal.

Amid these concerns, other voices highlight a distinctly more positive side. Several reviewers describe the lodge as an apartment building designed for seniors with "beautiful grounds," "beautiful gardens," and a sense of community that thrives through events offered within the building. A few residents emphasize their gratitude that a good friend lives there, underscoring the social value of the community spaces and the sense of belonging that can come from shared activities. The property's security presence is noted positively by some, described as a place where security provides a reassuring backdrop rather than an intrusive one, and the Berkeley location is pointed out as a favorable attribute.

The setting itself earns frequent praise: tall trees, a back yard that invites reflection and quiet enjoyment, and an atmosphere that makes you feel almost inclined to age gracefully in place. One reviewer even describes sitting among the trees, reading poetry, as something that makes the prospect of growing old feel almost idyllic. The combination of a peaceful outdoor environment with cozy units and attentive staff in other accounts creates a layered picture: the lodge can be a paradise for some, a comfortable and respectful place to live for many, and a source of concern for others depending on how the day-to-day operations and interpersonal dynamics are managed.

Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews paints a nuanced portrait. On one hand, Strawberry Creek Lodge is celebrated for its aesthetic appeal, its inviting outdoor spaces, its gardens, and the sense of community that can accompany senior living in this setting. The location in Berkeley, the presence of security, the accessibility of quiet spaces for contemplation, and the warmth described by several residents contribute to a strong positive impression. On the other hand, there are sobering warnings from a long-tenured care professional about staff turnover, conflicts with personnel, and a management culture that can feel fragile when internal relationships become tense or when residents' safety and well-being appear to be affected by how staff interactions are handled in common areas.

For families and friends considering this kind of residence, the message is clear: Strawberry Creek Lodge offers meaningful opportunities for community, beauty in its grounds, and the potential for a warm, neighborly atmosphere. Yet it is equally important to investigate the current leadership, staff stability, and how incidents are addressed in practice. The resident experience can swing from "paradise" and "very nice" to a more unsettling reality if turnover and workplace dynamics undermine the daily life and safety of those living there. As SAHA's responsibilities evolve over the coming years, the hope voiced by the long-time caregiver is that a careful, thoughtful decision will be made to ensure a better, more consistent environment for all residents - an environment that honors the dignity, safety, and social well-being of seniors who call Strawberry Creek Lodge home.

This part of Berkeley, California, offers a range of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. The area is home to several parks, pharmacies, cafes, restaurants, and healthcare facilities, providing easy access to recreational activities, shopping, dining options, and medical care. Additionally, the proximity to public transportation options like BART stations and bus stops makes it convenient for seniors to travel within the city or beyond. The presence of theaters and places of worship further enhances the cultural and spiritual aspects of the community. Overall, this part of Berkeley offers a well-rounded lifestyle with various resources that cater to the needs and interests of older adults seeking a vibrant and enriching living experience.

Parks

• Presentation Mini Park (0.3 miles)
• Cedar Rose Park (0.6 miles)
• Grove Park (1.1 miles)
• Live Oak Park (1.4 miles)
• Willard Park (1.6 miles)
• Berkeley Rose Garden (1.7 miles)
• Indian Rock Park (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Homemade Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Saul's Restaurant and Deli (1.2 miles)
• The Habit Burger Grill (1.3 miles)
• Mezzo (1.4 miles)
• Fat Apple's Restaurant & Bakery (2.5 miles)
• Bakesale Betty (2.5 miles)
• McDonald's (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• Sutter Urgent Care: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (0.9 miles)
• Berkeley Pediatrics (1.1 miles)
• Kiwi Pediatrics Medical Group (1.2 miles)
• Sutter East Bay Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Mosswood Building (3.4 miles)
• One Medical (4.1 miles)
• Urology: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (5.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CBCB GFTCRD (1.4 miles)
• Farmacy Berkeley (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)

Cafes

• Hal's Office (1.6 miles)
• Caffe Strada (1.7 miles)
• Highwire Coffee Roasters (2.5 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (3.1 miles)
• Cafe N!ne (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)
• Bicycle Coffee (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Emeryville Amtrak (2 miles)
• El Cerrito Plaza BART Station (2.4 miles)
• MacArthur BART Station (2.9 miles)
• West Oakland BART Station (4.4 miles)
• Lake Merritt BART Station (5 miles)
• 20/21 Bus Stop (6.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Bay Street 16 (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center (3.4 miles)
• Kaiser OB-GYN (3.5 miles)
• Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center: Summit Camps (3.5 miles)
• Highland Hospital (5.7 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center (6.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (3.4 miles)
• Bridge Ministry (6.3 miles)