Maple Brook at Golden Pond in Kent, OH

Pros

• The managers are very friendly and professional, always helpful with emails, printing forms, questions, and communications.
• Maintenance is quick and thorough; he fixed the fridge and left it like new.
• The staff are willing to help and go above and beyond.
• It is a great place to live, with good people and good landlords.
• The apartments are clean and well equipped, with appliances provided; maintenance is free, and management is willing to listen to any problems.
• The Maple Brook at Golden Pond tours are positive, with helpful staff.
• Maple Brook at Golden Pond is wheelchair accessible and offers spacious living spaces.
• The grounds are beautiful and the apartments are spacious; the location is convenient.
• The community offers quiet living with friendly staff.

Cons

• The reviewer felt maintenance was not very helpful.
• The kitchen was not really adequate and lacked drawers for cutlery and utensils.
• The linen closet was very small.
• There was only one recycling bin for the entire building, making recycling inconvenient.
• Handicapped parking spaces were scarce and reserved for certain tenants, potentially with extra cost.
• The reviewer believed the value was poor given the high rent.
• The building was not truly smoke-free due to a smoker on the first floor.
• After a death on the second floor, the hallway drips were not cleaned promptly.

Review

Maple Brook at Golden Pond in Kent is best suited for independent seniors 55 and older who want a quiet, well-kept, maintenance-light lifestyle with solid on-site management and accessible design. The community shines for residents who prize courteous, responsive staff, straightforward repairs, and apartments that feel like true homes - with in-unit laundry options, a full kitchen setup in many units, and floor plans that accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. It works particularly well for those who want to stay close to shopping, healthcare, and downtown Kent, while enjoying the peace of a well-managed, relatively calm living environment.

Those weighing alternatives should consider whether the level of assisted living or memory-focused services offered here meets the actual needs of the resident. Maple Brook leans toward independence with some conveniences, but it is not a full-service care community. Families seeking robust on-site nursing, 24/7 assistance, or formal memory-care programming may want to explore neighborhoods that specialize in higher-acuity support. There is also a reality to watch for: the building's policies and amenities - such as parking availability, recycling logistics, and periodic lease-based rent adjustments - can influence ongoing satisfaction, especially for residents on fixed incomes or with tighter budget expectations.

The strongest positives are unmistakable. Management and maintenance consistently prove accessible and proactive, with staff described as friendly, professional, and willing to go the extra mile to fix issues or answer questions. The layout and accessibility are practical assets: elevators and wheelchair-friendly entrances, on-floor laundry, and roomy living spaces that make daily living smoother for mobility-challenged residents. Units come equipped with essential appliances - stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and air conditioning - and there's a sense that apartments are well cared-for and clean. The community also supports light social engagement, including regular activities like bingo, memory courses, and small gatherings, even if some larger, formerly offered events have faded over time. Location-wise, Maple Brook delivers convenience near shopping, an ER, a wellness center, and a bustling downtown Kent, all within a short drive.

On the con side, several factors temper the otherwise solid profile. A recurring concern is the maintenance and building reliability tied to variable resident experiences; one reviewer cited inconsistent kitchen storage in wheelchair-accessible units, with insufficient lower-drawer space and limited cabinetry that complicates daily cooking. Parking for handicapped spaces is described as limited and, at times, reserved for particular tenants rather than broadly available. Perhaps more unsettling to some is the sense that the building is officially smoke-free while real-world experience has shown lingering odor issues on certain floors, along with a distressing incident that left the hallway carpets in need of prompt cleaning. In addition, the building's recycling system has felt inconvenient and under-resourced, pushing residents to adapt to a single shared bin that's not easy to access for everyone - an issue for seniors who value simple, consistent routines. Finally, lease renewals can bring rent increases, a material consideration for long-term residents on fixed incomes, and some residents note that social programming has shifted, with certain communal events no longer on the calendar.

But the favorable elements do offset many of the drawbacks when approached strategically. The combination of friendly management, dependable maintenance, and a calm, well-kept environment creates a reliable backbone for daily life. The practical features - in-unit laundry, on-floor laundry options, spacious rooms, and accessible entryways - reduce daily friction and support independence, even for those with mobility challenges. The presence of meal options, even if not unlimited, supplements daily convenience for residents who prefer not to cook every day, and the ongoing availability of lighter programming like bingo and memory activities helps maintain a sense of community without demanding a rigid schedule. The neighborhood advantages - close to shops, healthcare, and downtown Kent - amplify convenience and reduce dependence on transportation, which matters for seniors seeking to preserve autonomy while staying connected.

In the end, Maple Brook at Golden Pond suits a deliberate segment: independent-minded seniors who want a comfortable, well-run, accessibility-forward setting with predictable management and ready access to daily chores and a few social touches. Prospective residents should enter with clear questions about parking availability, exact kitchen configurations, and current lease terms, as well as realistic expectations about social programming and ongoing room for price adjustments. Before committing, tour with a checklist: verify the actual condition and storage in the chosen unit, confirm the reality of parking arrangements, understand the current activity calendar and its cadence, and speak with current residents about responsiveness and reliability of maintenance. For families weighing options, Maple Brook offers a dependable, low-drama baseline with enough added comforts to keep everyday life comfortable, so long as the resident's needs stay within its independence-to-light-assistance spectrum.

This part of Kent, Ohio offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of seniors. With several restaurants within close proximity, such as Mike's Place, McDonald's, and The Pub, there are plenty of dining options to choose from. Additionally, there are pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens nearby for easy access to medications. For medical care, Robinson Memorial Hospital is conveniently located just 0.5 miles away. In terms of recreation, parks like Towner's Woods and Galt Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities. Transportation options are also available with Parta Stop 866 for easy access to public transit. Overall, this area offers a mix of conveniences and entertainment options that make it a great choice for seniors looking to settle down in Kent.

Restaurants

• Mike's Place (0.4 miles)
• McDonald's (0.7 miles)
• The Pub (1.2 miles)
• Ray's Place (1.4 miles)
• Chipotle Mexican Grill (1.6 miles)
• Rockne's (2 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Robinson Memorial Hospital (0.5 miles)
• University Hospitals (6.5 miles)
• VA Medical Center (6.7 miles)
• Med Center One-Streetsboro (7.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Acme Fresh Market (2.2 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (2.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Discount Drug Mart (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.4 miles)

Physicians

• Unity Health Network (1.4 miles)
• Western Reserve Surgery (2.5 miles)
• Kent Imaging (2.5 miles)
• Crystal Clinic Orethapaedic Surgeons (2.7 miles)
• Rafal Stachowicz MD (2.7 miles)
• Person Centered Therapies (4.5 miles)
• Meyer Laura Dr Unity Health Network Stow (5.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• United Methodist Church of Kent (1.9 miles)
• Holy Family Catholic Parish Stow Ohio (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Double R Bar-B-Que & Creamery (6.4 miles)
• Nervous Dog Coffee Bar (7.1 miles)
• Molly Brown Cafe (7.6 miles)

Transportation

• Parta Stop 866 (3.5 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (7.3 miles)

Parks

• Towner's Woods (3.8 miles)
• Galt Park (4.9 miles)
• The Castle Park (6.8 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark Cuyahoga Falls And Xd (7.6 miles)