Lakewood Meadows in Lakewood, WA

Pros

• Residents describe Lakewood Meadows as the most peaceful place they have ever lived.
• Lakewood Meadows is a very good place to live.
• The manager, Erica, is very professional, friendly, and readily available.
• The maintenance team, Lance and Vince, are knowledgeable and complete projects promptly.
• Nadia Nielsen is professional, friendly, accommodating, and makes residents feel welcome.
• The staff consistently goes above and beyond to help residents.
• The tour guide was nice and knowledgeable.
• The grounds are large and well maintained, with amenities such as garden plots and a free shuttle.
• The community is friendly, quiet, and safe, with well-planned events and numerous on-site activities.

Cons

• The manager never shows up and does not return phone calls or emails.
• The management is horrible and never returns calls, with a bed bug outbreak left unchecked and not helping the elderly.
• The property manager needs to go; she has no good relationship with tenants and lacks management and people skills.
• The management communicates horribly, with delays and a lack of knowledge about protocol.
• The new owners are terrible; this place is run down and a bad experience.
• The maintenance department is not adequate; issues are not fixed in a timely manner.
• Smoking is allowed in common areas despite residents’ allergies, and management has not stopped it after being notified.
• A manager was unavailable and would not let a prospective resident in or provide information.

Review

Lakewood Meadows in Lakewood, WA is best suited for independent seniors who prize stability, a strong on-site team, and a quiet, neighborly environment. This community rewards residents who want a secure, well-kept setting with accessible amenities and a sense of belonging. The grounds are generous and well maintained, offering garden plots and tranquil common areas that support an active, social lifestyle without feeling crowded. The shuttle to shops, proximity to a hospital, and the presence of an on-site pantry and routine activities tilt the balance toward residents who want to stay autonomous while leaning on reliable support from management and maintenance. For a senior who thrives with dependable staff, appreciates safety, and values a warm, communal vibe, Lakewood Meadows stands out as a practical, well-rounded option.

That said, consideration should be given to who may want to look elsewhere. If hands-on, 24/7 care is necessary, or if a hands-off approach to management and communication is unacceptable, this community may not meet those needs. Several reviews flag inconsistent management presence and delayed communications as ongoing frustrations, and those expectations should be discussed upfront. Families with elderly relatives who require frequent, predictable coordination with office staff should verify current responsiveness and service levels. Additionally, while the property has improved in many areas, concerns about past pest issues, and occasional infrastructure realities like elevator repairs and seasonal climate in common areas, suggest that those seeking pristine, modernized interiors or flawless upkeep may prefer a different setting. For residents living far from family or needing easy, immediate access to caregiving resources, it is wise to assess whether the location and staff patterns align with daily support needs.

On the strength side, the key pros consistently echo through the community. A core asset is the staff, particularly Nadia in the office and the maintenance team led by Lance and Vince, who demonstrate reliability, courtesy, and a genuine willingness to go the extra mile. Residents repeatedly note that management has become more effective over time, with Erica and, previously, Kerri, earning trust by being accessible, professional, and hands-on when emergencies or routine concerns arise. The maintenance crew earns frequent praise for timely, competent work, which translates into fewer delays and greater peace of mind for families concerned about aging in place. The building’s security, quiet atmosphere, and well-kept grounds further bolster the sense that this is a stable, calm home environment. Extras like the elevator, a free shuttle for weekly trips, a pantry, and on-site activities contribute to a self-sufficient lifestyle that minimizes constant dependence on outside services.

Yet, the main drawbacks cannot be dismissed. The most persistent theme is variability in management presence and communication. Some reviewers describe weeks without return calls or emails, and a perception that office staff are not consistently in sync with residents’ needs. For those evaluating Lakewood Meadows, a candid test is to request a current point person and confirm expected response times for maintenance requests and urgent concerns. There are also legitimate cautionary notes about past pest issues and the reality that some residents have encounters with unrepaired or ongoing building problems, including elevator reliability and seasonal temperature swings in common areas. Such factors matter when choosing a home that hinges on predictable routines and steady building operations.

The way the positives balance the negatives matters for decision-making. The strong, resident-centered culture, where staff members are described as caring, professional, and genuinely invested in residents’ well-being, often offsets concerns about occasional miscommunications. The combination of on-site amenities, safety, and an engaged maintenance team means problems are typically addressed, sometimes rapidly, once properly escalated. For families, this translates into fewer external care coordination headaches and more confidence that day-to-day life will stay orderly. However, the offset only holds if current management remains consistently responsive and if ongoing maintenance issues, like elevator work and pest control, are actively monitored and clearly communicated to residents.

The practical takeaway is clear: Lakewood Meadows serves well for independent seniors who want a cohesive community with dependable maintenance support and a friendly, proactive staff. It is less ideal for those who require regular hands-on care, highly predictable administration, or a facility with flawless, turnkey maintenance. Prospective residents should prioritize a comprehensive tour that includes current staff availability, a concrete maintenance-response protocol, and a transparent pest-control status. Ask about elevator repair schedules, recent security updates, and how smoking policies are enforced in and around living spaces. If these elements align with expectations and the resident can thrive in a peaceful, community-centered setting, Lakewood Meadows offers a solid, practical home base.

In the end, the verdict centers on fit. For families seeking a practical balance of independence, security, and genuine staff commitment, Lakewood Meadows delivers more often than it fails, and the strong testimonials about Nadia, Erica, Lance, and Vince are not merely marketing fluff. The community rewards residents who value a warm, supportive atmosphere and are willing to work with management to keep operations smooth. For those who need frequent, hands-on care or cannot tolerate occasional gaps in communication, exploring alternatives with more consistent management guarantees and hands-on services will likely yield greater peace of mind. A thoughtful site visit, with targeted questions about current leadership, maintenance turnaround times, and pest-control status, will reveal whether this Lakewood address truly matches the caregiving trajectory the family envisions.

Located in Lakewood, Washington, this neighborhood offers a variety of amenities within close proximity. From a range of dining options such as MOD Pizza and Jersey Mike's to convenient pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, residents have access to everything they need for daily living. For entertainment, there is the nearby AMC Lakewood Mall 12 theater for movie-goers. Additionally, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy parks like Fort Steilacoom Off-Leash Dog Park and Ft. Steilacoom Park. Transportation is made easy with the Lakewood Station Sounder train nearby for those looking to explore beyond the neighborhood. Healthcare facilities such as Child Study & Treatment Center and Madigan Army Medical Center provide essential medical services. With various places of worship including St Mary's Catholic Church and Iglesia Ni Cristo, residents can find spiritual fulfillment in the community. Overall, this part of Lakewood offers a diverse range of conveniences and attractions suitable for seniors considering senior living in the area.

Restaurants

• MOD Pizza (0.9 miles)
• Jersey Mike's (0.9 miles)
• Applebee's (0.9 miles)
• Hess Bakery & Deli (1.2 miles)
• Rush Bowls (1.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.3 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.4 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Lakewood Mall 12 (1.2 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (2.7 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.3 miles)
• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.8 miles)
• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• Walgreens (4 miles)
• Rite Aid (4.6 miles)

Parks

• Fort Steilacoom Off-Leash Dog Park (1.6 miles)
• Ft. Steilacoom Park (1.8 miles)
• Sunnyside Beach Park (3 miles)
• Conservation Park (3.2 miles)
• Chambers Bay Park Playground (4.2 miles)
• Titlow Park (6.3 miles)
• Sheridan Park (6.8 miles)

Transportation

• Lakewood Station Sounder train (1.8 miles)

Hospitals

• Child Study & Treatment Center (1.9 miles)
• Va Hospital American Lake (2.4 miles)
• Madigan Army Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• MultiCare (6.5 miles)

Physicians

• Pacific Medical Prosthetics and Orthotics (2.5 miles)
• American Lake (2.6 miles)
• Liu Beth Beth Liu Md Lakewood (2.7 miles)
• Hanmi General Medical Clinic (2.8 miles)
• Cascade Eye & Skin Centers, PC (3.8 miles)
• Maureen A. Mooney, MD (3.8 miles)
• Olsen & Associates (4.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Mary's Catholic Church (4.6 miles)
• Iglesia Ni Cristo (5 miles)