Rose of Sharon Senior Homes in Oakland, CA

Pros

• The manager and assistant are very considerate.
• The surrounding environment feels very elegant.
• Transportation is quite convenient.
• The staff is awesome.
• The senior community is great.
• The views of Lake Merritt are beautiful.
• There are many nearby restaurants and places to eat.

Cons

• The management here needs to be replaced to create a friendly, welcoming building.
• They wouldn't recommend this place to seniors.
• They deserve a more caring environment.
• It is a terrible place for seniors here.
• They should find a different place.
• The parking lot is too small.
• It is difficult to find a parking space.

Review

Rose of Sharon Senior Homes in Oakland is best suited for independent seniors who want a stylish, transit-accessible address with easy access to Lake Merritt views and a map of nearby dining options. The environment appeals to those who value a clean, aesthetically pleasing setting and discreete, attentive staff on some shifts. It is not a universal fit, however; families should be wary if a consistently warm, proactive management presence or a strong on-site care culture is non-negotiable. This community promises a pleasant locale and aspirational living, but it does not guarantee a uniformly welcoming atmosphere from the top down.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are precisely the seniors who demand steady, proactive management and a consistently cheerful vibe from front-line leadership. The most pointed critiques center on leadership and the sense that the building could be more welcoming. For families seeking a seamless, highly attentive front-office experience and a consistently positive daily mood, exploring other options would be prudent. Additionally, parking constraints are a practical red flag for anyone relying on private transportation, even as nearby transit remains a definite plus.

On the plus side, the apartment component has clear strengths. Residents describe very nice living quarters, with a manager and assistant who can be genuinely considerate. The surrounding environment is characterized as elegant, and the property benefits from convenient transportation and appealing views of Lake Merritt. Proximity to restaurants and other amenities further enhances daily life, making errands and social outings feasible without long detours. In several reviews, the staff is praised as solid or even excellent, signaling that day-to-day interactions can be positive and respectful when the right staff members are on duty.

The primary drawbacks come back to management culture and the potential inconsistency of the experience. One reviewer strongly urged replacing management to create a friendly, welcoming building, framing a deep-seated concern about how residents are treated and how problems are addressed. The presence of two one-star reviews amid a mix of higher ratings suggests that experiences can diverge significantly from unit to unit or shift to shift. Compounding this, the parking lot's small size creates a tangible hurdle for residents who drive and rely on cars for shopping, appointments, or social outings, even when transportation nearby is a clear asset.

The key question is whether the favorable elements can outweigh the downsides. For independent seniors who prize a refined setting, strong access to public transit, and social opportunities in a lively Oakland neighborhood, the positives may justify a decision to explore Rose of Sharon further. The upside - pleasant apartments, courteous staff in some interactions, and an elegant environment - can translate into a comfortable daily rhythm. Yet the negative feedback about management and the parking bottleneck cannot be dismissed; they can erode trust and dampen enjoyment if not actively addressed. Prospective residents should seek concrete assurances on how management handles resident concerns, how staff turnover is managed, and what parking alternatives exist for long-term stays.

In the end, Rose of Sharon Senior Homes serves a specific niche: it suits seniors who can navigate a potential management variability while savoring a well-appointed living space, strong transit proximity, and attractive local amenities. It does not, however, stand out as the best choice for those needing a consistently warm, uniformly well-managed environment or for anyone who must depend on on-site parking as a daily convenience. Families weighing options in Oakland should compare Rose of Sharon against communities with stronger, more predictable front-office responsiveness and larger parking provisions. If those factors align with senior needs, a visit is warranted; if not, keep attention on alternatives that promise steadier day-to-day warmth and reliability.

This part of Oakland, California offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to live in a vibrant urban setting. With several parks nearby, including Alco Park and Snow Park, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The area is also well-connected with public transportation options such as the Lake Merritt BART Station and various bus stops, making it easy to get around the city. There are numerous dining options ranging from Nido's Backyard to In-N-Out Burger, ensuring a variety of culinary experiences. Additionally, there are several pharmacies and healthcare facilities in close proximity, such as Walgreens and Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, providing convenient access to medical services. Overall, this part of Oakland offers a dynamic blend of amenities that cater to the needs and lifestyle preferences of seniors seeking an active community.

Parks

• Alco Park (0.6 miles)
• Snow Park (0.7 miles)
• Morcom Rose Garden (1.4 miles)
• Mosswood Park & Recreation Center (1.7 miles)
• Dimond Park (2.2 miles)
• Alameda Dog Park (2.5 miles)
• Temescal Creek Park (2.8 miles)

Transportation

• Lake Merritt BART Station (0.6 miles)
• 20/21 Bus Stop (2.1 miles)
• MacArthur BART Station (2.2 miles)
• West Oakland BART Station (2.2 miles)
• Fruitvale BART Station (2.4 miles)
• Emeryville Amtrak (3.4 miles)
• JSX (5.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Nido’s Backyard (0.8 miles)
• Original Pattern Brewing Company (0.9 miles)
• Seawolf (1 miles)
• Drake's Dealership (1.1 miles)
• Jack London Square (1.3 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.6 miles)
• Dona Tomas (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1 miles)
• Blüm Oakland (1.2 miles)
• Harborside Health Center (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy - Main Building (1.7 miles)

Cafes

• Bicycle Coffee (1.1 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (2.2 miles)
• Highwire Coffee Roasters (3.1 miles)
• Caffe Strada (4.8 miles)
• Hal's Office (6.7 miles)
• Si Si Caffe (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Highland Hospital (1.3 miles)
• Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center: Summit Camps (1.5 miles)
• Kaiser OB-GYN (1.7 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center (1.7 miles)

Physicians

• One Medical (1.4 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Mosswood Building (1.6 miles)
• Sutter Urgent Care: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (4.5 miles)
• Berkeley Pediatrics (5.4 miles)
• Kiwi Pediatrics Medical Group (6.2 miles)
• Urology: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (6.7 miles)
• Sutter East Bay Medical Center (7.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Bay Street 16 (3.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bay Area Chinese Bible Church (5.1 miles)