Inn on the Boulevard Retirement Living in Studio City, CA

Pros

• Tim Ray is described as knowledgeable, helpful, kind, accommodating and caring.
• The Inn on the Boulevard is a great value.
• The staff are friendly and helpful.
• The staff are considerate and accommodating, the food is good, and the environment is non-restricting.
• Loved ones are very happy there and would recommend the community.
• The rooms are spacious and among the largest, with reasonable pricing.
• The location is perfect with a nice patio area and parking.
• The Activity Director provides a great tour.
• The Inn is not corporately owned, offering flexibility.

Cons

• The Inn on the Boulevard did not look as appealing.
• The place was not maintained as well as the other communities.
• The tour was not what the reviewer was looking for.
• In-home care was extremely expensive, and placing mom in a home with four other clients was a complete nightmare.
• Mom was not happy.
• There was no intake process or care plan, and they did not interview about mom's care needs.
• The care director had a brusque disposition that bordered on rude.
• None of the staff appeared to be trained in dementia care.
• The reviewer's normally cheerful, outgoing mother became very depressed during her stay there.
• The facility felt dingy and depressing and was on a busy street.
• The price started at $2,500 with entry-level care, and extras would significantly raise costs (about $600 more per month for dressing, bathing, and incontinence care).
• There was not as much diversity as the reviewer would like.
• The place smelled.

Review

Inn on the Boulevard Retirement Living in Studio City is best suited for a relatively independent senior who wants straightforward, value-oriented care in a compact, familiar setting. The community clearly works best for residents who need help with housekeeping, meals, and daily routines but do not require intensive dementia care or rigorous medical oversight. Families pursuing a lower-cost option that still feels safe and personable will find a fit here, especially when there is trust in a hands-on administrator and a front-d desk team that can be supportive during transitions. The core value proposition is affordability coupled with a warm, small-community vibe rather than polished luxury or robust clinical programming.

That said, several groups should seriously consider alternatives. Prospective residents with moderate to advanced dementia or mobility challenges that demand structured, specialized programming will likely be unhappy here, given inconsistent dementia training among staff and the absence of a formal intake and care-planning process. Families looking for a dedicated Activity Director, ongoing engagement programs, and clearly documented care plans may be disappointed by activities being run by front-desk staff without formal training. Those who require highly consistent cleanliness, a modern aesthetic, or a diverse resident community may also want to explore other options.

The strongest positives revolve around people and price. Administrators and front-desk staff are frequently described as friendly, accommodating, and helpful, and the facility is seen as a good value for the money when basic needs are in focus. Private rooms are notably spacious, and some residents or families appreciate the non-corporate flexibility and the straightforward medication room organization. The building's location offers convenience and a welcoming feeling for families visiting from surrounding areas, and the environment overall can feel safer and more intimate than larger, more impersonal campuses. For a family prioritizing safe, attentive daily living over pristine finishes, these factors can feel decisive.

Yet the same reviews highlight meaningful gaps that temper the appeal. Housekeeping and odor issues - rooms that smell and bathrooms that feel sticky - undercut the sense of care even when staff are polite. Food quality ranges from decent to disappointing, with inconsistency that makes meal planning unpredictable. The lack of a formal intake process and the absence of a dedicated care director who can translate needs into a plan are serious red flags for anyone with moderate medical or cognitive needs. The care staff can appear overextended, and reports of brusqueness from leadership toward residents and families undermine confidence in day-to-day reliability. Add-ons and additional services - such as dressing, incontinence, or extended care - tile the monthly bill upward, sometimes substantially beyond the base rate, complicating budgeting.

These dynamics matter most when weighing the pros against the cons. The meaningful advantages - trustworthy administration, perceived safety, large rooms for the price, and a friendly, reachable support team - can offset the lack of formal programs for some families who simply need a dependable, affordable place to live. However, the gaps in clinical readiness, programming, and consistent cleanliness create a mismatch for residents who require predictable routines, dementia-aware care, and a more polished, proactive service culture. In decisions where dementia, mobility, or intensive care will arise, these gaps tend to widen rather than close.

For families weighing next steps, approach this community as a practical, low-cost option with caveats. Confirm whether an intake interview and care assessment exist or can be arranged promptly; demand a tour focused on the activities calendar, staff-to-resident ratios, and the care team's dementia training and ongoing education. Ask for a transparent, itemized services schedule to understand exactly what is included and what incurs extra charges. If independence is the priority and the concern is primarily housekeeping, meals, and a safe environment, Inn on the Boulevard can be a reasonable fit - provided expectations are aligned with the realities of staffing and programming. For those needing structured cognitive care, consistent programming, or a more pristine, modern setting, consider alternatives with stronger dementia-focused programming and documented care-planning processes. The choice should hinge on the resident's current needs, the family's risk tolerance, and the willingness to manage a few notable operational gaps.

Studio City, California offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors looking to reside in the area. With multiple pharmacies such as Walgreens, CVS, and Elements Pharmacy within close proximity, access to necessary medications and healthcare services is easily accessible. The neighborhood also boasts various transportation options with metro stations like Universal City and North Hollywood nearby, as well as Burbank Airport for any travel needs. In terms of dining options, seniors can enjoy popular restaurants like In-N-Out Burger, Bob's Big Boy, Chick-Fil-A, and Porto's Bakery & Cafe. Additionally, there are several cafes like Starbucks and Alfred Coffee & Kitchen for a relaxing cup of coffee. For outdoor activities and leisurely walks, there are parks like Fryman Canyon Park and Lake Hollywood Reservoir nearby. Lastly, the presence of nearby theaters like Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood provides entertainment options for those looking to enjoy movies or live performances. Healthcare facilities such as Providence St Joseph Medical Center are also within a short distance, ensuring quality medical care when needed. Overall, Studio City offers a vibrant community with convenient amenities that cater to the needs of seniors seeking a comfortable living environment.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Elements Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.3 miles)

Transportation

• Universal City Metro Station (0.7 miles)
• North Hollywood Metro Station (1.8 miles)
• Burbank Airport Ride Share Pick Up (3.9 miles)
• Baggage Claim (3.9 miles)
• Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) (3.9 miles)
• Terminal A (3.9 miles)

Restaurants

• In-N-Out Burger (0.9 miles)
• Transformers: The Ride - 3D (1 miles)
• Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride (1 miles)
• WaterWorld (1.2 miles)
• Bob's Big Boy (1.7 miles)
• Porto's Bakery & Cafe (2.4 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Starbucks (1.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.5 miles)
• The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker (3.5 miles)
• Alfred Coffee & Kitchen (4.1 miles)
• Verve Coffee Roasters (4.3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.7 miles)

Parks

• Fryman Canyon Park (1.2 miles)
• Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook (1.5 miles)
• Coldwater Canyon Park (2.1 miles)
• Franklin Canyon Park (2.4 miles)
• Hollywood Bowl Overlook (2.6 miles)
• Lake Hollywood Reservoir (2.8 miles)
• Lake Hollywood Park (2.9 miles)

Theaters

• Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk Hollywood (1.3 miles)
• TCL Chinese Theatre (3.4 miles)
• AMC Burbank 16 (4.5 miles)
• AMC The Grove 14 (5 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Michael & All Angels (2.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Providence St Joseph Medical Center (2.8 miles)