The Elms at Clarksburg Village - Encore

Pros

• Clarksburg is described as a beautiful community.
• Clarksburg is great for walking.
• It is convenient to grocery stores and a few community dining areas.
• The people are friendly.
• The neighborhood has essential services like a bank, a doctor's office, and a grocery store nearby.
• The community offers engaging activities such as bingo, painting via Zoom, and a band in the courtyard.
• The Elms serves self-sufficient residents who do not want meals or organized activities.
• Residents really like their apartment, which includes a 2-bedroom, 2-bath, a loft, and a balcony.
• The kitchen is small but well laid out, making it easy to cook meals.
• The maintenance staff is very friendly and helpful.
• A wide range of amenities is within walking distance, including a supermarket, subway, dry cleaner, three restaurants, a gym, a rehab facility, a car repair place, gas stations, a dentist, and a county liquor and wine store.
• They would recommend The Elms to others.

Cons

• They chose The Elms because of the services that were not provided.
• The kitchen is small.

Review

The Elms at Clarksburg Village ? Encore is best suited for independent seniors and couples who want a comfortable, private living arrangement in a walkable, amenity-rich neighborhood. This community serves residents who prize autonomy, a real apartment with room to breathe, and the ability to manage meals and daily routines themselves. The 2-bedroom, 2-bath layout with a loft and balcony offers generous space, while the kitchen, though compact, is well laid out for home cooking. Its location matters: immediate access to a supermarket, dry cleaner, restaurants, a gym, rehab facilities, and even a dentist makes daily errands and casual socializing convenient. The atmosphere feels neighborly and low-key, with dogs and friendly residents contributing to a collegiate-like, village vibe.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are primarily individuals seeking built-in meals, structured daily programming, or higher levels of care. If meals, a bustling activity calendar, memory care options, or-on-site medical oversight are priorities, a full-service assisted living option or a community with more expansive on-site services will be a better fit. The Elms emphasizes independence over blanket programming, so families aiming for a turnkey, all-inclusive living arrangement should look elsewhere. For residents who want to minimize cooking but still have a high degree of self-direction, this setting can strike a favorable balance - yet it won't substitute for a care-forward model.

The key strengths of The Elms offset its trade-offs in practical, meaningful ways. The setting itself is inviting: a beautiful, walkable campus that encourages light daily activity and casual strolls, which supports physical health and social connection without being regimented. The surrounding neighborhood reduces burdens of daily life by placing groceries, dining, and essential services within easy reach. On-site social possibilities exist, including traditional activities and informal gatherings - bingo, painting via Zoom, and occasional live performances create opportunities to connect without locking into a fixed schedule. Maintenance and management are described as friendly and responsive, which reduces friction for residents who value reliable support without constant supervision.

The apartment's design reinforces the independence core. A two-bedroom, two-bath with a loft and a balcony delivers flexible living space that can accommodate guests, hobbies, and quiet time alike. The kitchen may be small, but its efficiency and layout make home-cooked meals feasible and enjoyable, which suits residents who prefer to prepare their own food or entertain at home. Proximity to a cluster of conveniences - grocery stores, a gym, rehab services, and assorted shops - keeps the daily routine manageable and minimizes the need for errands to be coordinated with outside providers. In short, the combination of space, control over a personal schedule, and nearby amenities creates a compelling incentive to maintain independence rather than relinquish it for daily care.

The practical downside centers on the absence of included meals and a robust, on-site activity program. For those who want a built-in social calendar with regular dining opportunities, this setting can feel less engaged - though it clearly offers social touchpoints and a community vibe that can be meaningful with moderate initiative. The potential underutilization of communal spaces is another consideration; the downstairs program room could become a more central hub with expanded events, but that depends on resident interest and leadership. In other words, the main detraction is not risk, but alignment: whether the resident's lifestyle priorities align with design choices that favor independence over comprehensive services.

Bottom line: this community shines for families and residents seeking a practical, autonomous living option in a convenient, friendly, and walkable setting. The Elms delivers space, privacy, and easy access to everyday amenities, paired with a responsive maintenance team and a neighborly culture. Those who prioritize meals, organized programming, or higher care levels should pursue alternatives that bundle these features into a single monthly package. For the right candidate - an active, self-directed senior who values proximity to shops and services, a comfortable apartment, and the option to tailor social involvement - The Elms at Clarksburg Village ? Encore stands out as a confident, well-considered choice.

Located in Clarksburg, Maryland, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors' needs. Within a short distance, you can find several parks such as Arora Hills Local Park and Black Hill Regional Park for outdoor recreational activities. There are also multiple restaurants including familiar chains like McDonald's and IHOP for convenient dining options. Pharmacies like CVS and Wegmans are nearby for medication needs, while physicians' offices such as Germantown Allergy And Asthma provide healthcare services. In case of emergencies, Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is just a few miles away. Transportation options like the Germantown MARC Station make it easy to get around the area, while cafes like Starbucks offer opportunities to socialize with friends or enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee. Places of worship and theaters are also available for spiritual fulfillment and entertainment. Overall, this part of Clarksburg provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking to settle down in a peaceful and convenient neighborhood.

Parks

• Arora Hills Local Park (0.6 miles)
• Black Hill Regional Park (3.1 miles)
• South Germantown Recreational Park (6.1 miles)
• Bohrer Park (7.3 miles)
• Sugarloaf Mountain (7.7 miles)
• Aberdeen Park (8.9 miles)
• Rock Creek Regional Park (9.7 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Burger King (2.5 miles)
• IHOP (3.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (3.2 miles)
• Taco Bell (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (3.4 miles)
• Wendy's (3.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Wegmans (2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Weis Pharmacy (4.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6 miles)

Physicians

• Leon Kao, M.D. Germantown Allergy And Asthma (3.2 miles)
• Chesapeakeurology (3.2 miles)
• Doctors First P.C-Rakesh Malik MD (3.4 miles)
• Cardiac Associates PC (3.4 miles)
• Medical Access (3.6 miles)
• David L. Yeh, MD (3.7 miles)
• Kane Howard MD (5.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Holy Cross Germantown Hospital (3.3 miles)
• Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center (9.5 miles)

Transportation

• Germantown MARC Station (4 miles)
• Nextcar Gaithersburg South (5.3 miles)
• Shady Grove Metro Station (8.8 miles)
• Rockville Metro Station (11.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (8.1 miles)
• Silver Diner (8.3 miles)
• Starbucks (8.5 miles)
• Starbucks (9.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church of the Redeemer (6.6 miles)
• Rockville Evangelical Mission (7.7 miles)
• First Baptist Church of Green Valley (9.3 miles)

Theaters

• AMC DINE-IN Rio Cinemas 18 (8.3 miles)