Highlands Personal Care

Pros

• Residents say the staff are courteous and punctual, and the managers and custodians are very nice.
• Residents report getting along with neighbors and describe the atmosphere as peaceful, great, and clean, and say they love their place.
• A long-time resident expresses gratitude for being part of Highland Manor Senior Living.
• Residents note there are no major problems and praise the staff.
• The community's location is appreciated, with mentions of being close to Galveston.
• Family members describe the staff as great.

Cons

• The elevators in the back of the complex frequently stop working, sometimes for over a month.
• The complex, supposedly government-funded, has non-working elevators, which is described as a fire hazard.
• There are no working washing machines for seniors; at least one machine on the first floor has been out of service for years.
• There are no security cameras, leaving residents vulnerable when incidents like stalking occur.
• The A/C vents provide little cooling; rooms stay hot and residents must sleep with fans.
• Front office staff are rude; lobby bathrooms are often locked, and staff are unavailable or distracted.
• Maintenance requests are not being addressed promptly, and lease issues are not handled.
• A mold problem has occurred, and management's response has been inadequate.
• Management is described as the worst by a resident, including a $50 annual fee for a replacement window sticker.

Review

Residents' experiences at Highland Manor in Lamarque, Texas paint a complex picture: it can feel like a welcoming, peaceful, and community-minded place to live, but persistent maintenance problems and uneven management practices create real daily challenges for seniors and their families.

A major source of frustration across several reviews is the repeated failure of essential building systems. Elevators at the back of the complex have been stopping work for extended periods - more than a month, and in some reflections, nearly two months. For households with seniors who cannot walk up multiple flights of stairs, elevator outages aren't mere inconveniences; they're safety concerns and accessibility barriers. One resident even framed the issue in broader terms, noting that it seems counterintuitive for a community receiving government support to allow such a critical amenity to remain inoperable, describing the situation as potentially hazardous and comparing it to a fire risk.

Another critical and longstanding issue is the lack of functional laundry facilities for seniors. Across several accounts, there is a single working washing machine on the first floor that has been out of service for a very long time - years in some cases. This makes a basic daily necessity unreliable for residents who may have limited mobility or transportation options, especially when other essential services are already strained by maintenance problems elsewhere in the property.

Despite these serious shortcomings, many reviews highlight positive aspects that keep residents feeling at home. The staff - managers, custodians, and maintenance teams - are repeatedly described as courteous, punctual, and helpful. New tenants in particular note a warm, nice atmosphere and the overall cleanliness of the property and neighboring areas. The sense of community is palpable for those who value the social environment and the peaceful, clean setting; several residents express genuine appreciation for the living atmosphere and the personal relationships they've built with neighbors and staff.

Security and surveillance, however, emerge as a conspicuous gap in the eyes of several residents. There is a recurring concern about the lack (or non-functionality) of cameras in common areas and entry points. A specific incident - someone lingering around doors late at night, attempting to decide whom to knock on, with no cameras to document the event - illustrates why residents feel vulnerable. The absence of visible security measures at the gate and around the hallways contributes to anxiety about personal safety and property protection, particularly for seniors living alone or with mobility constraints.

Comfort within units is another point of contention. One resident reports that the air conditioning vents in the master bedroom and bathroom are inadequate, with only a small amount of cooled air emanating from the vents. The result is hot rooms that require personal fans or ceiling fans to stay livable, prompting frustration and a sense of paying rent without receiving basic comfort. In some cases, residents describe attempts to address the issue directly with maintenance staff, but the problem remains unresolved, leaving them to cope with uncomfortable living conditions.

Interactions with front office staff vary widely. Some residents recount long-standing, frustrating experiences, including rude behavior and unresponsiveness. There are concerns about lobby bathrooms being locked and inaccessible at times, which raises safety and health concerns for residents who may need immediate access to restrooms. The perception that staff take long lunches and are preoccupied with personal activities rather than resident needs contributes to a sense of being undervalued and underserved, despite past improvements in other areas. On the flip side, other residents attest that, aside from a few negative patterns, the staff can be courteous and effective, suggesting inconsistency in service and attitude across different times or personnel.

Long-tenured residents offer a more mixed but often hopeful perspective. Some express gratitude for the years spent at Highland Manor, citing blessings, prayers, and a generally serene environment that has endured through the ups and downs. Yet even among long-time residents, the refrain about maintenance and administrative responsiveness recurs: repairs or lease-related issues are difficult to secure, leaving some residents feeling stuck in a cycle of delayed fixes and unresolved concerns. In some entries, the overall sentiment remains positive - an affirmation of the community's core strengths - while acknowledging that fundamental service and safety needs still require attention.

There are also specific complaints involving mold and administrative policies. One resident describes a serious mold problem in their apartment and the management's weak response, which consisted of supplying only basic cleaning supplies rather than addressing the underlying mold issue. Another recurring critique focuses on administrative costs tied to everyday conveniences, such as a $50 replacement window sticker for residents who have temporarily lost or no longer have their own transportation. This mix of service costs and policy-based annoyances contributes to a perception that the management team can be inconsistent in meeting residents' practical needs.

Taken together, the feedback depicts a community that can be warm and supportive on the ground, with many residents appreciating the friendly staff and the quiet, clean living environment. However, systemic problems - especially ongoing elevator and laundry outages, insufficient security measures, inconsistent maintenance responsiveness, and disputes over accessibility and policy changes - dampen the overall experience. Addressing these core issues with reliable repairs, a more robust security plan, consistent front desk service, and transparent, resident-centered policies could help Highland Manor better align its day-to-day operation with the positive, community-focused spirit many residents already cherish.

Located in La Marque, Texas, this area offers a variety of convenient amenities for senior living. With several restaurants nearby such as McDonald's, Olive Garden, and Beyond Burger, seniors can enjoy a range of dining options. Additionally, there are pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS within a short distance for easy access to medications. The presence of healthcare facilities including Mainland Medical Center and Mainland Primary Care Physicians ensures that seniors have quality medical services close by. For leisure activities, parks like Highland Bayou Park provide opportunities for outdoor recreation. Places of worship like First Baptist Church Of Texas City cater to spiritual needs, while cafes such as Starbucks offer cozy spaces for social gatherings. Overall, this neighborhood in La Marque provides a mix of amenities that cater to the needs and preferences of senior residents.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (2.2 miles)
• Kelley's Country Cookin (2.3 miles)
• Rosario's Flying Pizza (3.5 miles)
• Bahama Buck's (3.8 miles)
• Olive Garden (4.4 miles)
• Beyond Burger (4.5 miles)

Parks

• Highland Bayou Park (0.6 miles)
• Tiki Island Park (5.7 miles)
• Galveston Island Palms (9.5 miles)
• Hometown Heroes Park (11 miles)

Pharmacies

• Hart Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Comprehensive Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (8.8 miles)
• Walgreens (9.1 miles)

Physicians

• Orthopedic Clinic of Galveston County Associates (2.6 miles)
• Mainland Medical Center (2.7 miles)
• Dr Acharya Cardiologist (2.7 miles)
• Mainland Pulmonary Associates (2.8 miles)
• Beeler Manske Clinic (2.8 miles)
• Mainland Surgical Associates (2.8 miles)
• Mainland Primary Care Physicians (2.8 miles)

Hospitals

• A1 Medical Imaging Open MRI of Texas City (4.1 miles)
• Gulf Health Care Center-Texas City (4.3 miles)
• Dva Renal Healthcare Incgam (9.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church Of Texas City (4.2 miles)

Cafes

• Shipley Do-Nuts (8.9 miles)
• Starbucks (8.9 miles)
• Sugar Bean Coffee and Cream (9.2 miles)
• Starbucks (10.5 miles)
• Starbucks (10.7 miles)