Mark Twain Senior Community

Pros

• The staff is wonderful and always helpful.
• It's safe as well as secure.
• Lovely community.
• Beautiful and very peaceful; everyone is so friendly.
• It's a senior living community with rules that cater to senior concerns and maintain surroundings in respectful ways.

Cons

• Conflicts will not be solved and tenants could be evicted by the sheriff, with belongings discarded.
• BACS is said to prey on the needy and maximize profit off them.
• They advise moving to Contra Costa County where public organizations supposedly care.
• Mail security is poor, with a mail thief living in the building.
• The Kim family is described as unfit to manage the facility, accused of lying, cheating, and stealing.
• Problems have not been solved since August, and the management is criticized for lacking compassion and failing to help or support tenants.

Review

In a district known for its affordability and proximity to the rest of Oakland, this low-income apartment building unfolds as a study in contrasts. The reviews portray a place that clearly serves an important need for seniors and families, while simultaneously exposing tensions that can make day-to-day life stressful for those living there. It's a community that some residents celebrate for its safety, quiet atmosphere, and the companionship of neighbors, even as others warn that the underlying administrative environment can be challenging and unsettled.

On the positive side, several voices describe the property as a decent home for older adults. They speak of a community that feels safe and orderly, with senior-focused rules designed to maintain a respectful and calm environment. Phrases like "Beautiful and very peaceful, every one is so friendly" and "Lovely community" emphasize the warmth and civility that some residents experience daily. One review even highlights that it's "great for older people to live and working older people," suggesting a sense of stability and routine that works well for those who value predictability. Another reviewer notes that the staff are "wonderful and always helpful," underscoring a strength of the place: responsive and caring front-line personnel who can make a real difference in daily living.

Yet the same set of testimonials does not paint a uniform picture. The more troubling themes revolve around conflict with management and what some residents view as a lack of accountability. A particularly stark and recurring warning appears in a caller-like admonition: "brace yourself. Conflicts will not be solved. Eventually, they will have the sheriff evict you, and throw all of your belongings away. Personal photos, diaries, documents, artworks, all." This stark statement signals a fear among some tenants about how disputes might be resolved and what might happen to their possessions during legal actions. It also hints at a larger anxiety about due process, eviction procedures, and the potential for personal losses in the heat of conflict with management.

Complementing these fears are direct criticisms of the people running the property. One reviewer explicitly targets the management as "The Kim's" and claims they "are not fit to manage a dog shelter." The language is harsh - "lie, cheat and steal" - and the critique emphasizes communication barriers ("They do not have the compassion to hold their positions," "They do not help or support their tenants") and delayed problem-solving (noted as "they still have not solved our problem since August"). Taken together, these statements reveal a strain between tenants and management that colors everyday life, even in a facility that otherwise offers safety and a supportive staff.

Another recurring thread is concern about security and accountability beyond the management office. The claim that "Mail is not secure" and that "There is a mail thief living here" adds another layer of unease for residents who rely on mail for essential services and personal matters. This issue is not isolated in implication; it underscores how vulnerabilities - whether in building operations, security, or communication channels - can compound residents' worries about their possessions and privacy. It also explains why some residents feel compelled to point to external public services as a contrast to what they perceive as local shortcomings.

Amid these divergent experiences, there are voices that suggest seeking alternatives or broader support networks. One reviewer specifically suggests moving to Contra Costa County because "there's people that actually care in their public orgs." This statement reflects a belief that public-sector approaches in neighboring counties might deliver more reliability or more proactive assistance for people who need affordable housing and social services. It's a candid call to consider outside options when internal management and service levels fall short of expectations. It's not just about where one lives, but about where the systems that govern tenancy, care, and safety are perceived to operate with greater accountability.

Taken as a whole, the collection of impressions paints a nuanced portrait of life in this Oakland building. On balance, it is a place that many residents value for its accessibility, serene environment, and helpful staff, particularly for seniors seeking a sane, safe home. But it is equally a place where ongoing disputes with management, concerns about eviction processes, questions about the integrity of some administrators, and fears about mail security can overshadow the positives. The reviews suggest a community in need of stronger, clearer communication, more reliable problem-solving, and a security framework that residents feel confident in. For families and seniors weighing this option, the decision seems to hinge on how heavily they weigh the comfort of a peaceful neighborhood against the anxieties that come from unresolved conflicts and perceived gaps in care and governance.

This part of Oakland, California offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With multiple pharmacies nearby such as Walgreens and CVS, access to healthcare is easily accessible. Transportation options include bus stops and BART stations within close proximity, providing easy travel around the city. The area also boasts several parks for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. In terms of medical facilities, hospitals like Highland Hospital and Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center are within reach. Additionally, there are reputable physicians' offices including One Medical and Sutter Urgent Care in the vicinity. For dining options, residents can enjoy a variety of restaurants and cafes serving delicious meals and beverages. Overall, this part of Oakland provides a well-rounded community with convenient amenities for seniors seeking a comfortable living environment.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Harborside Health Center (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Transportation

• 20/21 Bus Stop (1 miles)
• Fruitvale BART Station (1 miles)
• Lake Merritt BART Station (3.3 miles)
• JSX (3.9 miles)
• MacArthur BART Station (4.4 miles)
• West Oakland BART Station (4.9 miles)
• Southwest Airlines Ticket Counter (5 miles)

Parks

• Avenue Terrace Playground (1.4 miles)
• Dimond Park (1.5 miles)
• Lincoln Park (2.1 miles)
• Joaquin Miller Park (2.2 miles)
• Morcom Rose Garden (3.2 miles)
• Alco Park (3.3 miles)
• Snow Park (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Highland Hospital (1.6 miles)
• Kaiser OB-GYN (3.8 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center (3.9 miles)
• Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center: Summit Camps (3.9 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente San Leandro Labor & Delivery (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• One Medical (3.1 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Mosswood Building (3.9 miles)
• Sutter Urgent Care: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (6.4 miles)
• Urology: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (6.6 miles)
• Berkeley Pediatrics (7.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Nido’s Backyard (3.3 miles)
• Original Pattern Brewing Company (3.5 miles)
• Seawolf (3.6 miles)
• Drake's Dealership (3.7 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (3.7 miles)
• Dona Tomas (3.8 miles)
• Cato's Ale House (3.8 miles)

Cafes

• Bicycle Coffee (3.7 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (4.1 miles)
• Highwire Coffee Roasters (4.8 miles)
• Si Si Caffe (5.5 miles)
• Caffe Strada (6.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bay Area Chinese Bible Church (4.3 miles)
• Bethel Presbyterian Church Of San Leandro (6.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Bay Street 16 (5.7 miles)