Soldiers' & Sailors' Home in Erie, PA

Pros

• It is a wonderful place with a lot of history.
• The staff are caring, professional, and dedicated.
• The tours, led by Mr. Ken Vybiral, are engaging and informative.
• The grounds are beautiful and the site feels historical.
• The staff’s quick, professional care saved a life.
• They take good care of our veterans.
• The art pieces are breathtaking and the atmosphere is peaceful.
• It provides a safe, welcoming environment for service members and visitors.

Cons

• The bus driver is described as highly dangerous and should not transport anyone.
• The staff there are rude.
• This place is ghetto.
• The care at the home is upsetting and may be shortening residents’ lives.
• They charge way too much rent for what little they provide.
• No veteran deserves to be treated the way the reviewer’s grandfather was treated.
• The reviewer suspects the home is cheating the government and not providing the care veterans are owed.

Review

Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home in Erie, PA is best suited for veterans and their families who prize a dignified, history-rich setting where a veteran-centered community and a sense of heritage shape daily life. The campus sits on storied grounds, with landmarks such as the Anthony Wayne blockhouse and nearby parklands, creating a quiet, contemplative backdrop that comforts residents and visitors alike. It suits those who want a place with strong ties to military history, intergenerational engagement, and a schedule filled with wholesome activities on a sprawling, historic property. This is not a glossy, contemporary campus; it is a traditional, purpose-built home where tradition and respect for service members underpin everyday routines.

Those who may want to consider alternatives are clear to the attentive observer: families seeking modern amenities, aggressive cost control, or highly personalized, private-room care may find this community mismatched. Several reviewers flag cost as a major consideration, noting rents that feel steep for the level of services described, and a few question whether the care delivered fully aligns with the investment. For families prioritizing bright, updated interiors, private suites with spa-like features, or specialized memory-care programs, another option with newer facilities and different staffing models could be a better fit. In short, this home rewards those who value history, stability, and a veteran-centric ethos over contemporary polish or ultra-flexible care plans.

The core strengths lie in the staff’s dedication and the safety-net built by a mission-first culture. Multiple accounts praise caring nurses and aides who respond quickly in medical moments, and several residents describe the team as highly professional and attentive. The on-site presence of medical access and the facility’s purpose of serving veterans contribute to a sense of security and continuity, good outcomes in emergencies have been documented and celebrated by residents and families. The grounds, the architectural atmosphere, and the historic ambiance create a setting where residents can feel grounded and connected to a larger story, while campus activities and community outreach strengthen social ties with other veterans and younger visitors alike.

At the same time, the menu of advantages is tempered by notable drawbacks that buyers must weigh carefully. The most cited concern is cost: rents that appear high relative to the level of services received can be a barrier for long-term affordability. Mixed experiences with staff quality also surface in reviews, some call the staff wonderful and professional, while others report rude interactions or inconsistent service. Transportation safety is another rough edge mentioned by critics, flagging a specific driving incident as a warning sign. A few families describe frustration with perceived neglect or inadequate attention to care needs, casting a shadow over otherwise warm impressions. Taken together, these cons don’t erase the strengths, but they do limit the community’s appeal to a narrower subset of families.

Practical evaluation steps emerge from these realities. Prospective shoppers should prioritize the veteran-centric culture and the access to on-site medical and social supports, then verify how those strengths translate into real-world outcomes: ask for recent staffing ratios, request a sample care plan, and tour how living spaces are used day-to-day. Inquire about costs beyond base rent, including what is included, what is billed separately, and how donations or ongoing fundraising may influence services. Observe the campus during events or tours to gauge resident engagement, and speak with multiple staff members to understand consistency in care and communication. The community’s intergenerational programming, history-based programming, and volunteer opportunities stand out as meaningful differentiators but deserve confirmation in firsthand visits.

The bottom line is clear: Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Home is a sound choice for veterans who value heritage, a veteran-forward community, and a setting steeped in history, with competent care available in a calm, respectful environment. For families that prize cost efficiency, modernized interiors, or highly personalized care plans, alternatives deserve serious consideration. This community delivers a quiet confidence rooted in service and memory, but the decision should hinge on affordability, perceived value of the historical context, and confidence in consistent, respectful care. When those elements align, this Erie home becomes a compelling option; when they do not, exploration of other campuses will likely yield a more suitable fit.

This part of Erie, Pennsylvania, is a bustling and convenient area with easy access to medical care, dining options, transportation, pharmacies, cafes, places of worship, and parks. With several hospitals and specialized physician practices nearby, residents can feel confident in their healthcare options. The variety of restaurants in the area offer a range of culinary choices for seniors to enjoy. Additionally, the proximity to public transportation makes it easy for residents to get around without needing a car. Nearby pharmacies provide convenient access to medications and healthcare supplies. The presence of cafes provides opportunities for socializing and relaxation. Places of worship are also close by for those seeking spiritual community. Lastly, the nearby parks offer green spaces where seniors can enjoy nature and outdoor activities.

Physicians

• Bayview Nephrology (0.5 miles)
• Hamot Heart Institute (0.7 miles)
• Erie Psychiatric Associates (0.8 miles)
• Ilin, Vladimir Upmc Northshore Neurology (0.8 miles)
• UPMC Hamot PASE Center (0.8 miles)
• Advanced Pain Medicine (0.9 miles)
• Anesthesiologists Of Erie (0.9 miles)

Restaurants

• New York Lunch (0.6 miles)
• Little Caesars Pizza (0.7 miles)
• KFC (0.7 miles)
• Olivers Rooftop (0.9 miles)
• Rum Runners (0.9 miles)
• Bayfront Grille (1 miles)
• Taco Bell (1 miles)

Hospitals

• UPMC Hamot Infusion Center (0.6 miles)
• Healthsouth (0.7 miles)
• UPMC Womens Hospital 5th Floor (0.7 miles)
• UPMC Hamot 8 South (0.8 miles)
• UPMC Hamot 7 South (0.8 miles)
• UPMC Hamot Radiology (0.9 miles)
• St Vincent Wound Clinic (1.8 miles)

Transportation

• Bus Station (0.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Burhenns Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)

Cafes

• Ember + Forge (0.9 miles)
• Tim Hortons (0.9 miles)
• Fat Lenny s (1.5 miles)
• Tim Hortons (2.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Cathedral of St Paul Episcopal (1.1 miles)
• Islamic Association of Erie (1.6 miles)
• Erie United Methodist Alliance (1.6 miles)
• Mount Calvary Catholic Church (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Roger Young Park (1.7 miles)
• Liberty Park (1.8 miles)
• Chautauqua Park (1.8 miles)