Oakridge Manor in Ferndale, MI

Pros

• The staff are friendly and work with residents when issues arise.
• Brandi is an asset to Ferndale Co-op.
• Ms. Brendi and Ms. Kyra help residents obtain apartments.
• The renovations and cleanliness of the building, along with the friendliness of the staff and residents, are exceptional.
• The sense of community is strong, and the staff are warm, friendly, and caring.
• The place is clean and well-kept.
• The Hilton Convalescent Home is a nice, comfortable, homey facility in a safe and secure neighborhood.
• The staff and management are professional and treat residents like family.
• People would recommend the community to family or friends.

Cons

• This place is the worst.
• Oakridge Manor was rundown and lacked privacy, with a three-bed room divided by a curtain and an old television, leaving the reviewer unhappy.
• Elevators never work, and the freight elevator's failure is linked to a $3,000 bed being stolen.
• Utilities are cut off several times a month.
• The door system doesn't work, the entrance door must be forcibly pulled open, and the buzz-in system is broken.
• Water damage from the roof brought bugs into the apartment, and furnishings and equipment were damaged during forced relocation due to shoddy workmanship.
• There's a policy requiring two residents in two-bedroom apartments.

Review

Oakridge Manor in Ferndale, MI is best suited for seniors who prize a warm, deeply communal environment and staff who consistently show up to solve problems. The clearest value here is human connection: residents and families report friendly, responsive staff who work with them when concerns arise, and a palpable sense of belonging within a smaller, homey setting. This is not a luxury campus; it is a practical option for those who want affordability, straightforward assistance, and a community where neighbors know each other and staff treat residents with genuine care. Prospective residents should be comfortable with an older building footprint and a facility that is actively evolving, including planned renovations that may temporarily shape the experience.

The strongest positives come from the people who run and staff Oakridge Manor. Multiple reviews highlight the office team - especially Brandi and Kyra - as indispensable assets who are professional, patient, and approachable. This staff credibility translates into real help with getting settled, securing housing, and navigating daily issues. The property itself is described as clean and well-kept, with a recognizable emphasis on a sense of community that residents actively cultivate. For families, these factors often translate into fewer frictions during moves and a partner in care who can communicate clearly when circumstances change.

Yet the facility carries meaningful caveats tied to its condition and layout. The most salient drawbacks center on the building's age and infrastructure: an older two-story design that has historically offered limited privacy, with past configurations showing shared rooms and thin divisions between residents. Observations about unreliable elevators, occasional utility interruptions, a door system that fails to perform, and water damage that impacted units paint a picture of a campus still finding its footing. These are not minor inconveniences; they shape everyday safety, reliability, and the residents' sense of security. For families seeking pristine privacy, modernized infrastructure, or uninterrupted accessibility, these gaps cannot be dismissed.

Despite those serious drawbacks, the pros can offset the cons when viewed through a practical lens. A strong, approachable staff and a genuine community presence can transform a challenging environment into a livable home. Cleanliness and ongoing maintenance messaging - paired with renovations planned for the coming year - offer a credible path to improvements that could reduce disruption over time. When staff demonstrate honesty, name recognition, and proactivity, families gain confidence that issues will be handled rather than ignored, a critical factor for long-term peace of mind. For residents who prioritize companionship and responsive care coordination over luxe amenities, Oakridge Manor delivers tangible daily value.

Potential residents should enter with a clear checklist to avoid misaligned expectations. Important questions focus on the current status of capital projects and their impact on daily life, elevator reliability, and contingency plans for outages or relocation during repairs. In-house dining appears to be a noted missing feature, with residents expressing a wish for meals on-site; families should verify current meal options or alternatives and how meal costs are managed. Administrative policies, such as the two-person-per-2-bedroom requirement, deserve confirmation to prevent last-minute surprises. Finally, firsthand conversations with current residents about privacy, noise levels, and the handling of repairs will illuminate whether the personality of Oakridge Manor matches the family's tolerance for ongoing maintenance.

In the end, Oakridge Manor functions best for families seeking a heartfelt, community-forward option where staff warmth and a sense of belonging compensate for imperfect infrastructure. It is a sound choice for those who value human connection, proactive problem-solving, and a community that has demonstrated resilience through upgrades and open dialogue. It will appeal to seniors who are comfortable with an older building and who do not require immediate access to on-site dining or flawless mechanical systems. For anyone prioritizing modern amenities, guaranteed privacy, or uninterrupted, hotel-style reliability, alternatives with newer builds and integrated services should be pursued. Oakridge Manor deserves serious consideration for the right fit - a setting where care and camaraderie can flourish even as the physical plant catches up.

This part of Ferndale, Michigan offers a variety of amenities and services that could be beneficial for seniors looking to live in the area. With several cafes, pharmacies, restaurants, parks, physicians, theaters, and hospitals within close proximity, residents have easy access to essential resources. The presence of multiple Starbucks locations and dining options like National Coney Island and Brown Iron Brewhouse provides convenience and choice for meals. Additionally, the availability of medical facilities such as Royal Oak Pediatrics PC and Hfhs - Main - F4 ensures quality healthcare nearby. There are also recreational opportunities at parks like Harding Park and Shain Park for outdoor activities. Overall, this part of Ferndale seems to offer a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking a comfortable and convenient living experience.

Cafes

• Ferndale Project (0.9 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.9 miles)
• Starbucks (7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3 miles)

Restaurants

• Urbanrest Brewing Company (2.2 miles)
• Rock On 3rd (2.9 miles)
• McDonald's (3 miles)
• Alex's of Berkley (4 miles)
• National Coney Island (4 miles)
• McDonald's (4.5 miles)
• Brown Iron Brewhouse Royal Oak (5 miles)

Parks

• Harding Park (2.4 miles)
• Palmer Park (2.9 miles)
• Scout Park (3.4 miles)
• Starr Jaycee Park (4.9 miles)
• Clawson Park (6.5 miles)
• Center Line Memorial Park (6.9 miles)
• Shain Park (7.3 miles)

Physicians

• Royal Oak Pediatrics PC (2.7 miles)
• Be Well Medical Center (3 miles)
• Beverly Hills Orthopedists (6.6 miles)
• Troy Orthopedics Associates (7.6 miles)
• Troy Medical Center (7.7 miles)
• Metro Medical Practice (8 miles)

Theaters

• Emagine Royal Oak (3.1 miles)
• AMC Star John R 15 (6.3 miles)
• MJR Troy Grand Digital Cinema 16 (6.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Park Geriatric Village (4.3 miles)
• Henry Ford Hospital (6.7 miles)
• Henry Ford Health System (6.7 miles)
• Hfhs - Main - F4 (6.8 miles)
• Botsford Hospital (8.4 miles)