Williams Boarding Home

Pros

• City Houses is described as the best sober living establishment and a place for meaningful personal change.
• The staff cultivate a warm, supportive environment that helps residents do the work of recovery.
• Residents feel safe, welcomed, and cared for by knowledgeable and compassionate staff.
• The homes are clean, well maintained, and feel like a true home.
• The program's structure and accountability give residents a solid foundation to follow their recovery plan.
• City Houses is credited with saving lives and helping people regain independence, including getting driver's licenses back or obtaining cars.
• The community of residents and staff provides a strong support network and a sense of family.
• Many residents report long-term sobriety and improved life outcomes after staying at City Houses.
• The owners and staff, including Angie and Mia, are described as deeply caring and dedicated.

Cons

• One reviewer would give the place a zero and describes the owners Mia and Angie as "god awful."
• They claim a resident was tormented by another occupant for weeks, with staff not caring about the situation.
• They allege that some residents were obtaining black market Ozempic and bringing needles into the house, which was triggering for a recovering addict.
• They say the owners expected them to accompany a non-sober woman to Walmart and other activities and to have dinner with her to "make peace."
• They accuse the house manager Patti and another resident of giving them gabapentin during their stay.
• They claim FAAR certification is no longer valid, despite the website indicating certification.

Review

City Houses emerges in these voices as more than a sober-living option; it's described as a recovery-centered community where the atmosphere is carefully cultivated by staff to support real, lasting change. Across testimonials, the sense is clear: if someone is willing to put in the work, the environment and the people around them can help reframe life on life's terms. The program is portrayed as a place for those who have burned bridges, offering a fresh start through a tight-knit fellowship of peers who genuinely understand what recovery entails.

One extended testimonial centers on a person who battled addiction for decades. After extensive treatment, this individual sought City Houses and arrived with a nervous, uncertain presence about entering the unknown again. What followed was a nurturing, knowledgeable approach to treatment and surroundings that fostered a renewed sense of purpose. The writer emphasizes that being among others who have walked the same road created an immediate sense of comfort and kinship. The message is consistent: the community here isn't just about housing; it's about building a supportive network that makes the idea of living a meaningful life again feel attainable.

Several reviews highlight the combination of warm personnel and safe, clean environments. People speak of feeling welcomed and protected in all City Houses locations, with staff who are approachable and consistently ready to help through both good times and difficult moments. The importance of accountability and structure is repeatedly noted as a cornerstone of the program, enabling residents to focus on their recovery plans without outside triggers intruding on daily life. References to specific team members - such as Dow, Jason, Byron, Mia, and Angie - underscore a recurring impression of staff who truly care and invest in their residents' well-being.

A recurring thread is the life-changing impact City Houses has had on families and loved ones. One reviewer describes how their mother's addiction problem affected multiple generations, and how City Houses supported her sobriety for the first time in the writer's life, culminating in pride and gratitude from the family. Another account thanks City House staff for playing a pivotal role in helping a father regain stability and begin thriving again. These family-centered voices reinforce the sense that the program extends beyond the resident, offering a path to renewed family connections and a healthier future for everyone involved.

There are vivid personal milestones tied to City Houses. For instance, one person arrived from jail after a DUI and found a welcoming, home-like environment that supported a steady recovery trajectory. They report securing three-quarters housing, staying sober for more than a year, and even regaining a driver's license and a car. Others speak of staying for extended periods - months or longer - and recognizing that the structure and accountability provided a reliable foundation for rebuilding lives. The gratitude comes through in repeated phrases about the staff's practical help and the sense that City Houses is a place participants can rely on as they navigate the next chapters of recovery.

A family-oriented note adds a personal touch to the mosaic of testimonials: a family member expresses heartfelt thanks to the City Houses team for helping a loved one regain footing and begin thriving again. The sentiment is simple yet powerful - recognizing the care, encouragement, and steady support that enabled someone to move forward with confidence and hope. These expressions of appreciation illustrate how the program's impact can ripple outward, touching spouses, children, and siblings in meaningful ways.

Not all voices are uniformly glowing, and one particularly detailed review raises serious concerns. The reviewer describes negative experiences in the women's apartments off Kernan, including alleged harassment by another resident, creation of a stressful, triggering environment, and accusations of illegal or unsafe conduct such as access to medications and controlled substances within the home. The account also alleges that staff actions and management decisions contributed to a difficult, unsafe situation, and it questions regulatory status. While this single account stands apart from the overwhelmingly positive themes, it's treated here as a stark reminder that any recovery program must continuously address safety, transparency, and accountability to protect residents and uphold standards.

Taken together, the collection of reviews paints a portrait of City Houses as a place where recovery is supported by more than just a bed or a routine. The consistent elements - a welcoming staff, a clean and safe living environment, a strong sense of community among peers, and accountability that helps residents stay committed to their recovery plans - form the backbone of what many find life-changing. Across experiences - from reunions with family to personally celebrated milestones and renewed independence - City Houses is spoken of as a lifeline: a place where people come to rebuild purpose, secure a stable home, and start living again with a renewed sense of hope and responsibility.

This part of Jacksonville, Florida offers convenient access to several hospitals, including UF Health Jacksonville Towers and Ascension St Vincent's Riverside, ensuring excellent healthcare options for seniors. In addition, there are various dining options nearby such as Strings Sports Brewery and Uptown Kitchen & Bar, providing a variety of culinary experiences. The area also boasts multiple pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for easy access to medications. For spiritual needs, there are several places of worship in the vicinity such as Allen Chapel Ame Church and Riverside United Church of Christ. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the proximity to parks like Riverfront Park and Adams Park for recreational activities. Overall, this neighborhood provides a blend of medical facilities, dining options, pharmacy services, places of worship, and green spaces making it an attractive option for senior living in Jacksonville.

Hospitals

• UF Health Jacksonville Towers (0.3 miles)
• UF Health of Jacksonville (0.4 miles)
• Childrens Medical Services (0.7 miles)
• Ascension St Vincent's Riverside (3.2 miles)
• Baptist Primary Care (4.9 miles)
• Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital (5.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Strings Sports Brewery (0.3 miles)
• Fred Cotten's Landmark BBQ (0.4 miles)
• Uptown Kitchen & Bar (0.5 miles)
• Bellwether (1.2 miles)
• BurgerFi (1.6 miles)
• St Johns Provision (1.7 miles)
• The Southern Grill (1.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.5 miles)
• Walgreens (4.7 miles)

Physicians

• Jax Vision Care (1.1 miles)
• Nemours Children's Clinic (2.2 miles)
• Jacksonville Orthopaedic Institute (2.2 miles)
• Carithers Pediatric Group (2.6 miles)
• Hortencia Espino, MD (2.8 miles)
• Jacksonville Pediatrics (3 miles)
• Florida Retina Institute (3.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Allen Chapel Ame Church (1.7 miles)
• Riverside United Church of Christ (3.3 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (5.4 miles)
• West Jacksonville Baptist Church (5.7 miles)

Cafes

• European Street Cafe (2.6 miles)
• Southern Grounds (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• European Street Cafe (3.3 miles)
• Casbah Cafe (4.4 miles)
• The Local - San J (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)

Parks

• Riverfront Park (2.8 miles)
• Adams Park (4.1 miles)
• Cortez Park (5.8 miles)