Westminster-Thurber Community

Pros

• The staff appeared to have residents' best interests at heart and didn't just go through the motions.
• The three staff members planned a well-organized party with a fun atmosphere and engaging activities.
• There was a great rapport between residents and staff.
• The facilities were immaculate and had good security.
• The halls displayed a variety of upcoming activities on TV screens.
• Westminster-Thurber would be a great place to live.
• The residents were quick with smiles and conversation and formed strong friendships while participating in activities together.
• Amanda Bailey is consistently kind and helpful when referrals are made to rehab, assisted living, memory care, or independent living.
• Tours, video calls, and timely information are readily available.

Cons

• A reviewer claimed that the facility kicked their mother out along with more than a hundred others, shoving them into places that were later shut down by the State, after she had paid a quarter-million to establish residence.
• A reviewer questioned whether anyone at the facility answers the phone, implying poor responsiveness.

Review

A visitor and several residents alike paint a picture of Ohio Living Westminster-Thurber in Columbus as a place where care, community, and culture align to create a livable, engaging environment. Across observations and personal accounts, the facility comes across as a well-run campus where staff dedication shows up in both everyday interactions and planned events. The planning and execution of activities, in particular, stand out: one review notes that three staff members in charge crafted a party that was not only well organized but also infused with a fun atmosphere and engaging activities. The chatter between residents and staff during the event suggested a genuine rapport rather than a routine, perfunctory exchange.

The physical setting and day-to-day atmosphere reinforce that impression. The complex is described as immaculate, with strong security and careful attention to safety. Visitors could see a broad slate of upcoming activities displayed across TV screens throughout the halls, signaling an active, resident-centered calendar. For someone considering a future in senior living, the overall mood conveyed by residents - wide-ranging backgrounds, ready smiles, easy conversation - suggests a community that values conviviality and connection. The sense is that Westminster-Thurber isn't just a place to live; it's a place where life continues to be interesting and meaningful, with residents who build lasting friendships and regularly join in group activities.

Several reviews feature affirmations from outside partners that speak to the facility's responsiveness, professionalism, and respect for residents. Amanda Bailey, highlighted repeatedly, appears as a touchstone for the care team's approach to referrals across rehab, assisted living, memory care, and independent living. One vendor describes Amanda as consistently kind and helpful, noting that tours, video calls, and timely information are always just a phone call away. The same account emphasizes that referrals are met with respect, care, and patience as loved ones navigate the path to the right level of care. The sentiment is echoed in a determination not only to recommend Westminster-Thurber but to commend Amanda personally for her role in guiding families through complex decisions.

Beyond individual staff interactions, the community's broader offerings are highlighted as compelling reasons to consider Westminster-Thurber. A "great place to explore about my future needs for senior living" is how one reviewer frames the experience, pointing to monthly coffee concerts, facility tours, and a culture of active staff engagement. The venue's online responsiveness also receives praise, with quick replies to questions asked online. The overall takeaway from these experiences is that Westminster-Thurber offers a robust, accessible pathway for people to learn about care options and to participate in an evolving calendar of events that feels both welcoming and practical.

Several testimonials zoom in on specific programming and the campus's cultural vitality. The Heritage Pointe iteration - Ohio Living's newer independent living option within the Westminster-Thurber ecosystem - receives enthusiastic attention for its beautiful building, scenic views, and vibrant programming. Visitors describe a steady stream of enriching activities, from coffee-time speakers to musical performances by groups like The Ramblers, and talks by local figures such as Mike Thompson of WOSU about broadcasting. These reviews emphasize not only the quality of the programming but also the ease with which residents and guests can engage: inviting venues, accessible talks, and a calendar that invites ongoing participation.

The social fabric of Westminster-Thurber is repeatedly described as warm and engaging. One reviewer who performed a concert on site found the audience to be highly engaged, friendly, respectful, and appreciative, underscoring the facility's ability to host cultural events that feel intimate yet broad in appeal. Another reader highlights the staff's welcoming demeanor, the cleanliness and safety of the facility, and the weekly abundance of activities that keep residents busy. Proximity to shopping, parks, and entertainment - the Short North, downtown Columbus, and a nearby dog park - helps situate Westminster-Thurber not just as a place to reside, but as a community integrated with the city around it.

Longer-term resident perspectives reinforce a deeply positive view of life at Westminster-Thurber. They describe a thriving, supportive culture where residents are encouraged to initiate programs and participate in the community's evolution - such as a recent composting initiative - and where intergenerational ideas (like an onsite daycare for staff children) are explored as enrichment for residents and staff alike. The living spaces themselves receive praise for their aesthetics and quiet, with one account noting a penthouse-view Heritage Tower and other newly updated apartments that meet the expectations of contemporary retirement living. The location - near Goodale Park, downtown, and multiple neighborhoods - adds a level of urban convenience that many value highly.

Yet not every note is without complication. One heartfelt entry provides a candid counterpoint: the author describes a situation in which their mother, along with many others, was moved out of a Westminster-Thurber setting into spaces that have since been shut down by the State. The reviewer mentions a substantial financial commitment - about a quarter of a million dollars - and frames the experience as a troubling departure rather than a seamless transition within the system. This single account stands in contrast to the otherwise consistently glowing reports and serves as a stark reminder that care decisions and policy shifts can profoundly affect families, even in highly regarded communities.

Overall, the tapestry of impressions paints Westminster-Thurber as a premier Ohio Living retirement community - especially in its Westminster-Thurber and Heritage Pointe configurations - where care, culture, and community converge. Residents and visitors repeatedly celebrate the warmth of staff, the vitality of programs, the safety and cleanliness of the facilities, and the accessibility of information and tours. While one review raises concerns about a specific withdrawal decision that affected a family's experience, the collective voice remains one of appreciation for a place many see as a model of resident-focused care, where thoughtful planning, robust programming, and strong community ties create a living environment that many would be glad to call home.

This area of Columbus, Ohio offers convenient access to essential amenities for seniors looking to settle in a vibrant community. With multiple pharmacies within close proximity, accessing medications and healthcare supplies is convenient. Additionally, there are several parks nearby such as Goodale Park and Scioto Mile for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. A variety of dining options are available from casual spots like Chick-Fil-A to more upscale restaurants like Marcella's. Medical facilities are also easily accessible with reputable institutions such as Nationwide Children's Hospital and The Eye Center of Columbus located nearby. Lastly, the area offers places of worship for individuals seeking spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors looking for a comfortable and engaging place to call home.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Market District Supermarket (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• Kroger Pharmacy (2.2 miles)

Parks

• Goodale Park (0.2 miles)
• Scioto Mile - Promenade/Riverfront (1.2 miles)
• Schiller Park (2.4 miles)
• Whetstone Park / Park of Roses (4.7 miles)
• Quarry Trails Metro Park (5.5 miles)
• Stoneridge Park (5.5 miles)
• Thompson Park (5.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Marcella's (0.4 miles)
• Union Cafe (0.5 miles)
• Betty's Bar (0.5 miles)
• Greater Columbus Convention Center (0.5 miles)
• Hofbrauhaus Columbus (0.7 miles)
• Standard Hall (0.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.1 miles)

Physicians

• The Eye Center of Columbus (0.5 miles)
• Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center (0.9 miles)
• Equitas Health King-Lincoln Medical Center (1.6 miles)
• Nationwide Children's Hospital Livingston Ambulatory Center (1.9 miles)
• Martha Moorehouse Medical Pavillion Lung and Allergy Center (2.2 miles)
• Ohio Hospital for Psychiatry (2.4 miles)
• Tri-Village Family Health (2.9 miles)

Hospitals

• Select Specialty Hospital (0.7 miles)
• Richard M Ross Heart Hospital (1.4 miles)
• OSU Harding Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Nationwide Children's Hospital (2.3 miles)
• Ohio State University Hospital East (2.6 miles)
• Ohio Health (3.9 miles)

Cafes

• Fox in the Snow Cafe (0.9 miles)
• One Line Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Starbucks (4.3 miles)
• Crimson Cup (5.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church (1.6 miles)
• St Christopher Church (2 miles)
• Holy Name Church (2.5 miles)
• St Catharine Church (4.7 miles)
• Faith Ministries Church (5.2 miles)
• St Andrew Church (5.4 miles)