The Sherman House in Charleston, SC

Pros

• Sherman House is very clean and free of rodents and bedbugs.
• The residents and staff are very friendly.
• Sherman House is centrally located, just five miles from downtown and close to shopping and entertainment.
• Donna Bailey consistently goes above and beyond her duties to ensure residents have everything they need.
• Donna arranged a Chanukah celebration for the residents that was filled with joy, happiness, and wonderful food.

Cons

• The post states there is no active residents association and no standing committees.
• The post warns prospective residents not to bring their loved ones to live there.
• The reviews describe the management as harsh toward elderly residents, with renters reportedly fearing her and wanting leadership changes.
• One commenter likens the management to a dictatorial regime and claims elderly residents are treated poorly.
• The postings note vitriol and hatred directed toward the manager.

Review

The Sherman House is best suited for seniors who prize cleanliness, safety, and a central Charleston location, paired with hands-on, personally involved management. The community sits about five miles from downtown, placing it within easy reach of shops, dining, and entertainment while preserving a compact, community feel. Residents and staff are repeatedly described as friendly, and the building shows up as clean and free of pests, which matters for comfort and health. For families prioritizing a live-in atmosphere where a long-tenured manager is seen as central to daily life and programming, Sherman House typically checks those boxes in a practical, city-adjacent package.

Yet Sherman House is not the right fit for everyone. A clear caveat is the absence of formal resident governance: one observer notes there is no active residents association and no standing committees, which can leave families seeking structured input into programming or policy feeling exposed to top-down decisions. For households that want strong resident voice, voting power, or independent advocacy when concerns arise, alternatives with formal councils or resident-led initiatives may be preferable. In addition, there is notable volatility in how the management approach is perceived: while some praise the manager's generosity and hands-on involvement, others describe an overriding, even intimidating leadership style.

The strongest positives revolve around care that feels anchored in daily life and social connectivity. Cleanliness and a sense of safety underpin comfort for many families. The staff and residents come across as welcoming, contributing to a warm, sociable atmosphere that can translate into meaningful events and traditions coordinated by management. The long-tenured manager is repeatedly credited with going beyond duties - arranging celebrations, coordinating family-friendly activities, and maintaining a sense of community that resonates with families who value personal attention and cultural or religious programming. The central location supports convenient access to amenities, which can reduce the burden on families handling transportation and errands.

However, the main drawbacks are substantive enough to influence a decision, especially for care-focused choices. The most troubling element is the contested portrayal of management, with one extreme critique describing the manager in harsh terms and alleging residents fear confrontation or retaliation, while others defend the level of care and personal dedication. Although those harsher claims are not universally accepted, their existence creates a credible sense of risk for families seeking a steady, predictable environment. The mixed rating (3.2 out of 6 reviews) and the presence of both strong praise and sharp criticism should push families toward direct, in-person assessment rather than relying on impressions from a single source.

When evaluating Sherman House, prospective buyers should conduct a disciplined, hands-on visit. Priorities should include conversations with current residents, staff responsiveness, and a clear picture of care services beyond social programming. Inquire about caregiver ratios, daily assistance coverage, and how emergencies are managed. Ask specifically about complaint handling and whether residents have a voice in programming and decision-making. If a personable manager who actively curates events feels right and the family is comfortable with a less formal governance structure, Sherman House can deliver a vibrant, engaged living environment. If the preference is for a consistently gentle, uniformly managed setting with robust resident input, alternative communities deserve consideration.

In sum, Sherman House represents a practical option for seniors who want a clean, well-located, socially active environment guided by a long-tenured manager who personally shapes life there. The decisive question centers on management style and resident governance: the strongest positives can deliver a rich, connected experience, but the potential for perceived intimidation or inconsistent governance matters enough to warrant caution. Families should treat a visit as a diagnostic, measuring atmosphere, conversations with residents, and clarity around care and escalation procedures. For the right family, this community is worth a thorough, discerning evaluation; for others, it may be prudent to explore options offering more formal resident input and a steadier management approach.

This part of Charleston, South Carolina offers a convenient and well-connected location for senior living. With multiple pharmacies, primary care physicians, and medical facilities such as MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion nearby, residents have easy access to healthcare services. The area also features a variety of dining options including familiar chains like Chick-Fil-A and O'Charley's, as well as local favorites like Gene's Haufbrau. For leisure activities, there are several parks within a short distance for outdoor recreation. Additionally, the presence of places of worship like the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity provides spiritual support for residents. Overall, this neighborhood provides a balance of essential amenities and recreational opportunities suitable for seniors looking to settle in Charleston.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Primary Rx (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Low Country Diagnostics Compounding Lab (3.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.8 miles)
• Kerr Drug (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Family First Medical Care (0.9 miles)
• West Ashley Family Medicine (1 miles)
• Charleston Brace (1.3 miles)
• Eye Associates of Charleston (1.4 miles)
• MUSC Health Lung Cancer Screening at West Ashley Medical Pavilion (1.4 miles)
• MUSC Health West Ashley Medical Pavilion - Epic Center (1.4 miles)
• Langdon All Hartsock, MD (1.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Chick-Fil-A (1.5 miles)
• O'Charley's Restaurant + Bar (1.6 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.8 miles)
• Gene's Haufbrau (2.9 miles)
• Bonefish Grill (3.6 miles)
• Container Bar (3.6 miles)
• Edmund's Oast Brewing (3.7 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.5 miles)
• Sightsee (4.3 miles)
• The Daily (4.4 miles)
• Babas on Cannon (4.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Bon Secours St Francis Hospital (1.5 miles)
• Center For Abandoned Cats And Tomatoes (2 miles)
• MUSC Ashley River Tower (4.3 miles)
• Musc Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital (4.4 miles)
• Roper St Francis Foundation (4.4 miles)
• Roper Hospital Ambulatory Surgery & Pain Management (4.4 miles)
• Emergency Department, Roper Hospital (4.5 miles)

Parks

• West Ashley Park (2.5 miles)
• Hampton Park Dog Run (3.7 miles)
• Brittlebank Park (3.7 miles)
• Medway Park (3.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity (4.1 miles)

Transportation

• Charleston Visitor Center Bus Shed (4.9 miles)