The Meadows of Auburn Hills

Pros

• Residents say Jill and Matt are the best maintenance staff and feel like family.
• Cari is described as the right person for the job - friendly, caring, and always willing to listen.
• The management and staff are friendly, helpful, and genuinely care about residents.
• The Meadows of Auburn Hills is well-kept, clean, safe, and well lit.
• The community offers a strong sense of belonging with plenty of activities and events.
• The grounds are beautiful with wildlife, and evening walks are refreshing.
• The property features a library, six laundry rooms, and convenient on-site services that make living comfortable.
• The maintenance and cleaning teams consistently go above and beyond to meet residents' needs.
• Many residents have long tenures and feel that the staff treat them like family.
• The Meadows is highly recommended by residents who live there.

Cons

• They claim the applicant fee was taken.
• They felt discriminated against because the husband's earnings were over the limit.

Review

The Meadows of Auburn Hills is best suited for independent seniors who want a warm, home-like setting with a long-standing, service-oriented staff, a well-maintained campus, and a lively but manageable activities calendar. Reviewers repeatedly highlight long-tenured managers and maintenance staff who feel like family, a clean and quiet building, and a true sense of community. The property sits on ample grounds with wildlife viewing, easy evening walks, and convenient access to nearby downtown Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, and recreation centers. Residents prize practical conveniences: multiple laundry rooms, a well-stocked library, and a calendar of social gatherings - from bingo to card games to exercise classes - that keep neighbors connected. It's a place where daily life blends comfort with ongoing opportunities to engage.

Those considering alternatives should note this community is oriented toward independent living with attentive support rather than intensive medical care. For families and residents needing substantial on-site skilled nursing, memory care, or 24/7 medical oversight, other campuses designed around higher-acuity needs will likely be a better fit. People prioritizing ultra-modern finishes or a strictly budget-driven option may also want to compare with newer or lower-cost communities. A minority of applicants have raised concerns about admissions processes and consistency in policy interpretation, so potential residents should ask direct questions about screening criteria, fees, and approval timelines to avoid surprises.

On the upside, the core strengths are hard to beat. The maintenance team - headed by Jill and the maintenance crew - consistently goes "above and beyond," with prompt responses to requests and a visible commitment to keeping common areas and individual homes well maintained. The on-site management, especially Cari, is described as approachable, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring, earning trust through open communication and a willingness to listen. Residents enjoy the practical advantages: a dependable portal for service requests and rent payments, covered parking options, and the availability of bus service to local amenities. The campus is safe, well lit, and clean, which translates into real peace of mind for families and residents alike.

The social and recreational offerings are more than window dressing; they create tangible value for independent living. A robust calendar of activities, robust communal spaces, and a palpable sense of camaraderie reduce isolation and help new residents feel at home quickly. The presence of a nurse on staff provides a modest yet meaningful level of clinical reassurance, and the general atmosphere radiates warmth from staff who have stayed long enough to know residents' preferences and routines. The grounds and wildlife - deer, birds, and even owls - add a restorative slice of nature that many families find priceless. It's not merely "nice to have" but a practical component of a livable, low-stress environment where routines and familiarity matter.

Yet a few caveats deserve careful attention. Management turnover has been part of the campus's history, though the current leadership is repeatedly praised for stability and attentiveness. A concrete reminder is that one reviewer reported a discriminatory-fee-related concern in the admissions process; while this appears isolated, prospective residents should verify policies and get a transparent read on financials before committing. Another potential consideration is that, while transportation, activities, and staff responsiveness are strong, the setting is best aligned with households seeking independence with light support rather than a facility that functions as a medical or memory-care hub. Understanding these boundaries helps families weigh fit against the strong positives.

In practical terms, families weighing this community should prioritize a visit focused on staff interactions, the cadence of maintenance responsiveness, and the reality of day-to-day life in the common areas. Speak directly with Cari, Jill, and Matt about move-in timelines, service expectations, and how problems are escalated. Observe how new residents are integrated into activities, how quiet the neighborhood feels after business hours, and how the parking and transit options align with daily routines. If warmth, reliability, and a rightful sense of home matter - and if the goal is to remain comfortably independent with dependable support - The Meadows of Auburn Hills stands out as a pragmatic, well-run choice. For those in need of more intensive care or tighter budgets, however, exploration of alternatives will be wise.

Cafes

• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.4 miles)
• LEGOLAND Discovery Center Michigan (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (4.5 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.5 miles)
• Antonio's Cafe & Grill (4.6 miles)
• Avon Donuts (5.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (3.5 miles)
• Rite Aid (3.6 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (3.6 miles)
• Ascension Providence Rochester Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Walgreens (4.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Shake Shack (1.6 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Culver's (1.8 miles)
• Carnival Market (1.9 miles)
• The HUB Stadium (2.1 miles)
• Grand Tavern (3.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Kensington Orion (2.1 miles)
• Oakland Christian Church (2.8 miles)
• Church Of The Holy Redeemer (4.4 miles)
• St Hugo of the Hills Church (6.7 miles)
• St Joseph Catholic Church (7.4 miles)

Parks

• Innovation Hills (3.3 miles)
• River Woods Park (3.3 miles)
• Riverside Park (3.6 miles)
• Rochester Municipal Park (4.2 miles)
• Avondale Park (4.3 miles)
• Bloomer Park (5.7 miles)
• Firefighters Park (5.9 miles)

Physicians

• Balian Eye Center (4.4 miles)
• Paint Creek Ob/Gyn (4.6 miles)
• Dr Mahjoub (5.1 miles)
• Orion Family Physicians (5.1 miles)
• Sg Pediatrics Of Lake Orion (5.1 miles)
• Women's Excellence In Obstetrics & Gynecology (5.2 miles)
• Neighborhood Primary Care (5.3 miles)

Hospitals

• McLaren Oakland (4.8 miles)
• Beaumont Hospitals Departments (5.1 miles)
• Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital (6.8 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Rochester Hills (5.8 miles)