Jewish Community Housing

Pros

• The property is great, with awesome residents and wonderful staff.
• 2 Life Communities is praised for its accomplishments in senior housing.
• It is a welcoming, affordable senior housing community with a walkable campus, modern amenities, and beautiful landscapes.
• The community is always clean, safe, brightly lit, and easy to access.
• Grandparents appreciate the community and the apartments, and Russian-speaking residents are present.
• The gym is great for the whole family.
• The staff were very helpful.

Cons

• The reviewer notes that apartment 604 at 370 Harvard is consistently too warm, with inconsistent air conditioning and temperatures around 75 degrees or higher, which is wasteful and uncomfortable.
• The reviewer expressed frustration that English should require no button presses and that only pressing '2' should be used for any language other than English.

Review

Great property and a true community feel emerge across the various reviews of 2 Life Communities. The praise centers on what the organization has accomplished in senior housing and the sense that residents are living longer, more engaged lives thanks to a model of care that reflects a genuine concern for the elderly. Several reviewers point to the broader significance of this work, noting that it embodies Massachusetts' commitment to supporting older residents with capable, compassionate housing solutions. The tone is hopeful and appreciative, underscoring how this model can serve as an example for others who value dignified, accessible living for seniors.

The campus itself is repeatedly described as welcoming and affordable, with a walkable layout that makes daily life convenient and enjoyable. Reviewers highlight modern amenities and well-kept landscapes, along with outdoor spaces designed for picnics and gentle exercise. This combination appears to foster social interaction as well as opportunities for residents to stay active, which many people associate with better well-being in later years. The emphasis on a walkable, aesthetically pleasing environment suggests a thoughtful approach to elder housing that prioritizes both independence and community connection.

Cleanliness, safety, and good lighting are recurring themes in the praise. The properties are portrayed as consistently clean and safe, with bright lighting that enhances a sense of security and ease of navigation - factors that matter deeply to older adults and their families. Parking is described as accessible, reducing one more friction point that can deter residents and visitors from enjoying all the community has to offer. In one personal note, a reviewer shares that their mother-in-law is thriving there, which speaks to the tangible positive impact of the environment on daily life and overall happiness.

Language accessibility and cultural inclusivity also come through in the comments. One reviewer notes the importance of not having to press for English language options, suggesting that the facility should default to straightforward English and offer other languages as needed. The presence of Russian-speaking neighbors is highlighted as a meaningful benefit for some residents, reinforcing that cultural and linguistic diversity can contribute to a welcoming atmosphere. This highlights the importance of making senior housing feel inclusive for people from varied backgrounds and with different language needs.

There are also candid reminders of ongoing challenges, which round out the overall positive picture with a note of realism. One resident reports a persistent issue with their apartment at 370 Harvard, unit 604: the space stays too warm, hovering around 75 degrees or higher. The resident says attempts to cool the apartment are inconsistent, with windows only opening a small amount and the suggestion to rely on air conditioning that has not been reliably accessible. This firsthand experience underscores the ongoing need for effective climate control and consistent HVAC performance in senior housing, where comfort directly affects health and quality of life. While this single issue stands out, it is presented within a broader narrative of a strong community that otherwise excels in many areas.

Other feedback reinforces the positive community atmosphere. Reviewers describe the space as very calm with little traffic, contributing to a sense of peaceful living. The sentiment is that residents relish a low-stress environment that supports relaxation and safety, alongside a belief that the community offers substantial benefits for those who call it home. Testimonials about the staff highlight warmth and the "cool" spirit of the residents and team, painting a picture of a place where people look out for one another and feel proud to be part of the community. The overall sense is that the property is not just a building but a thriving social ecosystem with opportunities for connection, activity, and personal growth.

Finally, there is a practical update regarding ongoing improvements. Reviewers note that renovations are taking place with a timeline extending into August, signaling a commitment to upgrading and updating the facilities to better serve residents. Such renovations, while potentially disruptive in the short term, are framed within the larger context of a continuously improving environment that prioritizes comfort, accessibility, and modern amenities. Taken together, these comments sketch a picture of a senior housing community that is robust in its strengths - safe, clean, walkable, and people-centered - while also acknowledging areas where residents hope for ongoing improvements, especially in climate control.

In sum, the collection of impressions paints a portrait of 2 Life Communities as a welcoming, comprehensive, and thoughtfully designed living environment for seniors. The campus layout, safety features, and modern amenities create a foundation for independence balanced with social engagement and support. The warmth of the residents and staff, the appreciation for multilingual inclusivity, and the sense of a thriving, calm place to live contribute to a strong overall impression. At the same time, a single, concrete HVAC concern reminds us that comfort in a senior setting is continuous work, and ongoing renovations signal a commitment to maintaining a high standard of living for current and future residents.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Wegmans (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)

Transportation

• MBTA Reservoir Station (0.5 miles)
• MBTA Fenway Station (2.5 miles)
• MBTA Kenmore Station (2.9 miles)
• MBTA Ruggles Station (3.2 miles)
• Porter Square MBTA Station (3.6 miles)
• MBTA Union Square Station (3.8 miles)
• MBTA Davis Square Station (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.1 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (1.6 miles)
• Flour Bakery + Cafe (2.6 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (2.7 miles)
• Tatte Bakery & Cafe (2.8 miles)
• Cafe Rustica (3.5 miles)
• Mike's Donuts (3.6 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (1.1 miles)
• Kura Revolving Sushi Bar (1.4 miles)
• Veggie Crust (1.6 miles)
• Spring Shabu-Shabu (1.6 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (1.8 miles)
• Sofra Bakery & Cafe (2.3 miles)
• Charlie's Kitchen (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• Cinema World Majestic 7 (1.4 miles)
• Showcase SuperLux (1.7 miles)
• Kendall Square Cinema (3.6 miles)

Physicians

• Bidmc Lowry Building (2.2 miles)
• Mass. Eye and Ear (2.4 miles)
• Harvard Medical School (2.5 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates – Spinal Unit/Pain Management (2.6 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (2.6 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (3.2 miles)
• Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (4.1 miles)

Parks

• Larz Anderson Park (2.3 miles)
• Olmsted Park (2.4 miles)
• Jamaica Pond (2.5 miles)
• Newton Highlands Playground (3.4 miles)
• Franklin Park (3.5 miles)
• Summer Street Dog Park (3.9 miles)
• Pagel Playground (4 miles)

Hospitals

• Brigham and Women's Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Mount Auburn Hospital (2.4 miles)
• Boston Children's Hospital (2.4 miles)
• New England Baptist Hospital (2.5 miles)
• Lemuel Shattuck Hospital (3.9 miles)
• McLean Hospital (4.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Paul Parish, Harvard Square (2.7 miles)