Forward Housing

Pros

• The apartments at Forward Shady are great.
• The staff are attentive and professional.
• The living environment is positive.
• The location is convenient for shopping and dining.
• The tenants are sweet seniors.
• It is a nice place to live and very convenient to everything.

Cons

• The last two years have been horrible since the departure of Dave, Jodie, Wayne, and Justin.
• Staff changes occur frequently and are often short with residents.
• The management lacks understanding of disabilities and does not accommodate residents.
• The apartments are not ADA compliant.
• The complex has really gone downhill.
• Aside from its convenient location, it is not a good place to live.

Review

Forward Shady has been a long-running home for a number of residents, and the range of experiences there is striking. After seven years of living in the community, it's clear that the first five years were viewed positively by many: well-regarded apartments, a comfortable living environment, and a sense that life was convenient and well-supported. Yet in the last couple of years, sentiment has shifted for some residents, with several noting that the experience has deteriorated since the departure of certain staff members, specifically Dave, Jodie, Wayne, and Justin. For these residents, the change is both personal and palpable, transforming an otherwise favorable impression into disappointment and concern about future stability.

The positive notes are plentiful and concrete. Several residents praise the apartments themselves as well laid out and desirable for seniors, calling them "great" and well-maintained. The staff at times is described as attentive and professional, contributing to a positive living environment. The location is repeatedly highlighted as a major perk: being conveniently situated for shopping and dining and on a bus line, which can be a significant advantage for seniors who rely on public transportation. For many, this combination of accessible amenities and a friendly, community-oriented atmosphere makes Forward Shady an attractive option.

Community life is another recurring theme. Several reviews emphasize the friendliness of the residents, describing them as sweet seniors and pointing to a warm, neighborly vibe. The sense of belonging and personal connections among tenants appears to be strong, with comments suggesting that the people who live there contribute as much to the appeal as the physical space itself. One note even mentions a friend who moved in and "lives it," underscoring that the social fabric of the community can be a powerful draw for prospective residents.

Nevertheless, there is a sharp counterpoint in the feedback: concerns about staff turnover and how residents are treated. A significant thread in the reviews is the perception that staff changes have led to a less patient, less accommodating environment. Specifically, several reviewers allege that staff members can be short with residents and show little understanding of disabilities, with claims that accommodations for residents with disabilities are not being made and that the buildings themselves are not ADA compliant. In these accounts, the absence of familiar staff has left residents feeling less supported and more hurried, contributing to a sense that the level of care and responsiveness has declined in the last two years.

Within this mix, there is also a strong message of individual praise that coexists with the broader concerns. One review offers a remarkably positive tribute to a set of staff members - describing Dave, Jodie, Justin, and Wayne as the epitome of what it takes to run and maintain a large complex - "in alphabetical order," and thanking them for their work. This voice stands in contrast to the broader criticism, illustrating how experiences can vary dramatically from one resident to another and over time within the same community. It highlights that quality of service can be highly dependent on who is on staff at any given moment.

In summary, Forward Shady presents a nuanced picture. On the one hand, it offers strong advantages: comfortable, well-regarded apartments; a generally positive, friendly senior community; and a location that makes daily life convenient. On the other hand, ongoing concerns about staff consistency, responsiveness to disabilities, and ADA compliance create a persistent unease for some residents. The last two years, in particular, have been described as a decline by those who felt the departure of key staff members most acutely. For current and prospective residents, the most important considerations appear to be the stability and training of the staff, the facility's accessibility features, and how well the community maintains its welcoming, neighborly atmosphere as personnel change.

This part of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania offers a mix of amenities that cater to senior living. With a variety of restaurants, cafes, and parks within close proximity, residents have plenty of options for dining and recreation. Additionally, there are several pharmacies and hospitals nearby, providing easy access to medical care when needed. The area also has transportation options such as bus stations and an Amtrak station for convenient travel. Places of worship are also available for those seeking spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a balanced mix of convenience and leisure activities for seniors looking to reside in Pittsburgh.

Restaurants

• Squirrel Hill Sports Bar (0.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.4 miles)
• Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery (1.4 miles)
• D's Six Pax & Dogz (1.5 miles)
• Burgatory (1.6 miles)
• Voodoo Brewery (1.7 miles)
• Duke's Upper Deck Cafe (1.7 miles)

Parks

• Frick Park Blue Slide Playground (0.4 miles)
• Frick Park (0.9 miles)
• Schenley Park (1.1 miles)
• Filmet Park (2.2 miles)
• Arsenal Park (3.3 miles)
• Leslie Park Field (3.6 miles)
• Aspinwall Riverfront Park (4.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.7 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Bellissimo Plastic Surgery & Medi Spa (1.5 miles)
• Aiken Medical Building (1.9 miles)
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (2.1 miles)
• Kaufmann Medical Building (2.2 miles)
• Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.5 miles)
• Arriviste Coffee Bar (1.8 miles)
• Bakery Square (1.9 miles)
• Panera Bread (2 miles)
• Redstart Roasters (2.4 miles)
• Big Dog Coffee (2.4 miles)
• Starbucks (2.6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Waterfront 22 (1.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Calvary Episcopal Church (1.8 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood (2 miles)
• Kingdom Hall Of Jehovahs Witnesses (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Hillman Cancer Center (2.1 miles)
• Magee-Women's Hospital of UPMC (2.1 miles)
• UPMC Presbyterian (2.2 miles)
• University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (2.2 miles)
• Sleep Laboratory at UPMC Montefiore (2.2 miles)
• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (2.4 miles)
• Western Pennsylvania Hospital labor and delivery (2.5 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak - Pittsburgh Station (3.8 miles)
• Bus Station (3.9 miles)