Knights of Pythias

Pros

• The facility is very clean and well kept.
• The staff are kind, polite, and caring.
• The courtyard is nice.
• The apartments are described as nice.
• Caregivers are friendly.
• Residents seem well looked after.
• The place is great.
• A visitor was impressed after a tour.
• Her mother loves living there.

Cons

• The administration is described as toxic, narcissistic, controlling, and abusive.
• The interior is dated and dirty.
• The hallways are infested with fleas and management won't address it.
• Maintenance requests take 4?6 months to resolve anything.
• Residents who report safety violations are threatened with eviction.
• The building feels run down and old.
• The property is filthy, with backed-up plumbing and strong garbage odors.
• There are reports of financial abuse against elderly residents and dismissed investigations.
• Bullying, disrespect, and demeaning newsletters that border on illegal name-calling are present.
• The front desk staff are cold or unhelpful, and there are parking/accessibility issues.
• The facility is dark with low lighting and has a nursing-home atmosphere.
• The overall environment is not warm or caring and feels unfriendly.

Review

The collection of remarks about this senior living setting is a mosaic of strong opinions, with clear lines between praise and critique. Several reviewers describe the property as an old, independent-living building that shows its age in the interior and layout, yet they acknowledge that the courtyard can be pleasant and that some aspects of the place work reasonably well for residents. A recurring thread is the tension between what people appreciate in the environment and what they feel is lacking in management and upkeep. A number of posters contrast the dated, sometimes shabby feel with occasional glimpses of friendliness or competence from staff, suggesting that the experience can swing dramatically depending on who you interact with and when.

On the positive side, a number of people emphasize clean facilities, courteous and caring staff, and a generally friendly atmosphere in certain encounters. Several reviewers say that the building is clean and well kept, with staff who are kind, polite, and attentive. Some mention nice communal features such as a library, a dining area, or a cafeteria that, while sometimes repurposed or limited, signals a sense of community. The courtyard is repeatedly highlighted as a pleasant space, and there is a sense that the place can feel welcoming in the right moment. A few notes point to the affordability and suitability of "low income senior housing" in this setting, with mentions of 55+ occupancy and small, modest apartments that fit the needs of some residents. In a few instances, reviewers commend the staff for being friendly, and even describe caregivers as genuinely approachable and helpful.

However, the criticisms dominate the overall impression for many readers. A prominent concern is the administration and management style, which some residents characterize as toxic, narcissistic, controlling, and abusive. Several posts allege persistent problems with how administration handles safety, maintenance, and resident concerns. In particular, the hallways and common areas are described as infested with fleas by one poster, with administration allegedly failing to address the problem. Maintenance requests are repeatedly cited as taking an exhausting amount of time to resolve - months in some cases - leaving residents with ongoing issues that affect daily living. There are accusations that reporting safety or health concerns can expose residents to eviction threats, triggering fears about housing stability. The idea that regulatory bodies might need to intervene is also voiced, with references to OSHA and HUD being contacted to prompt changes or investigations.

Financial and social dynamics add another layer of tension for some residents. One account alleges financial abuse, claiming that money was taken from elderly residents and that the office dismissed the reports rather than investigating. The same or a related thread points to bullying as a persistent dynamic, with some residents feeling targeted or demeaned by staff and newsletters described as demeaning or bordering on illegal name-calling. In contrast, other posters describe a more neutral or even positive social environment, where staff and residents interact cordially, and where the atmosphere can feel welcoming at times despite other ongoing concerns. The range of comments about "bullying," "disrespect," and "demeaning newsletters" underscores a divide in resident experiences that can seem starkly polarized.

The physical plant itself is repeatedly described as dated and in need of updates, though opinions vary on how this translates into daily life. Some reviewers point to a smell of sewage or a front entrance area that feels unwelcoming or prison-like, suggesting the building's interior might benefit from renovations to reception areas and kitchens. Meanwhile, others acknowledge that the rooms themselves can be decent for the price and that basic maintenance does not always reflect the broader problems cited elsewhere. The contrast between a someday-improved facility and ongoing issues is a recurring theme, with some residents noting that the environment can feel harsh or neglected, while others emphasize moments of cleanliness, order, and courtesy that provide short-lived respite.

Logistical and experiential details add texture to the overall picture. Parking is mentioned as a frequent hassle, with residents and visitors facing restrictions or limited options for on-site parking and sharing the space with deliveries and guests. Waiting lists for moving in can be long - ranging from one and a half to two years for some units - creating a sense of longing for places that are deemed better suited to the residents' needs. The stories also reveal a patchwork of options and experiences within the same community: some visitors are impressed by what they see during tours, noting that staff appear friendly and that certain facilities (like the cafeteria or the delivery of meals to rooms during the pandemic) functioned as expected; others leave with a stronger impression that the available units do not meet their needs, either due to size, layout, or lack of light.

In sum, the sentiment about this senior living environment is highly mixed and highly personal. For some residents, the place offers a workable home with a supportive staff presence, a pleasant courtyard, and the basic comforts of low-cost senior housing. For others, the combination of an aging building, slow maintenance, aggressive or indifferent management, reports of financial and social mistreatment, and ongoing health and safety concerns creates a problematic living situation that severely limits quality of life. The spectrum of experiences suggests that potential residents and their families should explore multiple perspectives, visit multiple times, and consider both the Knights of Pythias Retirement Center and its alternatives, paying close attention to maintenance responsiveness, staff conduct, and the overall safety and cleanliness of the building before making a commitment.

This area of Vancouver, Washington offers a convenient location for seniors looking for medical care, with several physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals within a short distance. The neighborhood also provides easy access to transportation options, including Amtrak and the Portland International Airport for those who enjoy traveling. Additionally, there are plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby for dining out or meeting friends. For outdoor activities, several parks are just a short drive away, providing opportunities for relaxation and recreation. With its amenities and accessibility, this area would be a great choice for seniors seeking a comfortable and vibrant community to call home.

Physicians

• Vancouver Eye Care (0.2 miles)
• Family medicine clinic (0.2 miles)
• Ideal Option (1.1 miles)
• Sea Mar Community Health Centers (3.6 miles)
• The Vancouver Clinic (4.2 miles)
• Luke Rosen DO (4.9 miles)
• Salmon Creek Plastic Surgery (5.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Target Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.2 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Vancouver VA Medical Center (0.7 miles)
• Firstenburg Tower (4.4 miles)
• PeaceHealth Southwest Family Birth Center (4.4 miles)
• Salmon Legacy Creek Hospital (5.2 miles)
• HCR ManorCare (5.3 miles)

Cafes

• Relevant Coffee (0.9 miles)
• Compass Coffee (1.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (4.2 miles)
• Posies Cafe (4.5 miles)

Parks

• Esther Short Park (1.4 miles)
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (1.6 miles)
• Douglas Carter Fisher Park (2.5 miles)
• Luke Jensen Sports Park (2.9 miles)
• Vanport Park (3.5 miles)
• Northgate Park (4.8 miles)
• Felida Park (5 miles)

Transportation

• Amtrak (1.5 miles)
• Concourse D (5.2 miles)
• Alaska Airlines Lounge - PDX (5.3 miles)
• Concourse C (5.3 miles)
• TSA Checkpoint A/B/C - Portland International Airport (5.3 miles)
• Portland International Airport (PDX) (5.3 miles)
• Concourse E (5.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Beaches Restaurant & Bar (2.3 miles)
• Island Cafe (3 miles)
• Super Taco Express (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (3.2 miles)
• McDonald's (3.2 miles)
• Grapes 'n Growlers (4 miles)
• Local Asian Bistro (4 miles)