The Berkshire of Greendale

Pros

• Joann, Berkshire Greendale's building manager, is described as truly exceptional.
• Her kindness, expertise, and dedication to supporting seniors make a real difference in residents' daily lives.
• Joann is helpful, knowledgeable, and creates a welcoming environment.
• Her professionalism and responsiveness were evident during a tour of the property.
• Berkshire Greendale is portrayed as a well-kept, clean, and well-maintained senior living community.
• The community offers a variety of social activities, including monthly birthday celebrations, themed luncheons, weekly exercise, and games like sheepshead, bingo, and Wii Bowling.
• The property manager has been with Berkshire Greendale since it opened, providing continuity for residents.
• Prospective residents are encouraged to consider Berkshire Greendale for their housing needs.

Cons

• The reviewer left Berkshire Greendale because of how the manager and the owners subjected residents to unsafe and uncaring treatment.
• A broken water pipe flooded the community room, the hallway, and about 12 units.
• Management exposed residents to excessive noise from large drying fans far beyond safety levels (over 85 decibels) and to dust from drywall repairs.
• They did not offer hotel accommodations for residents during the repairs.
• They did not provide ear protection or face masks to protect residents from the dust.

Review

Berkshire Greendale stands out in the community of senior living by the people who care for it, particularly Joann, the property manager. A longtime tenant who has called the building home for five years paints a vivid picture of a manager whose kindness, expertise, and dedication make daily life smoother for residents. In their view, Joann isn't just efficient; she creates a welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like a true community. The compliment is not just about professional competence but about a steady, reassuring presence that residents repeatedly rely on.

Yet the same property that inspires such warmth has faced serious criticism from at least one resident who recently moved out. The departure followed a disaster: a broken water pipe that flooded the community room, the hallway, and about a dozen units. The account details further trouble: the aftermath involved not only water intrusion into living spaces but also the disruptive noise of large drying fans, reportedly far beyond a safe level (well beyond 85 decibels), plus dust from drywall repairs. The reviewer recalls a lack of support from management during the ordeal - no offer of hotel accommodations, no ear protection, and no masks to guard against dust. The sentiment is stark: "They just didn't care!" It's a stark contrast to the earlier praise of Joann and underscores a serious concern about crisis response and resident welfare.

Despite that troubling experience, there remains a strong current of positive engagement with the property's leadership. In a more recent interaction, the same resident met Joann for a tour and found her to be professional and responsive, able to answer questions clearly. The impression of the building itself during that visit was favorable: the property looked well kept and clean, reinforcing a sense that the facility's upkeep reflects ongoing attention. Being placed on the interest list for a future move, the resident expressed hope that one day they might call Berkshire Greendale home again, suggesting that the positive aspects can still influence prospective residents even in the wake of past problems.

The enduring portrait of Berkshire Greendale is anchored by a long-term, active resident base. Since its opening in 2012, it has developed a reputation as a friendly, supportive community for seniors. The resident describes a rich schedule of social activities that contribute to a vibrant, connected atmosphere: monthly birthday celebrations, monthly themed luncheons, weekly exercise sessions, and a variety of games such as sheepshead and bingo, along with Wii Bowling leagues. This blend of social engagements helps residents stay engaged, form friendships, and maintain a sense of belonging within an independent living setting that values neighborliness.

More than the programming, the narrative emphasizes the everyday warmth of life at the property. Neighbors look out for one another, and spontaneous chats happen in everyday moments - from casual conversations in the elevator to quick exchanges while waiting for the mail or gathering in the community room in the afternoon. Even as an independent living facility, Berkshire Greendale appears to foster a culture of mutual care and attentiveness that makes the entire building feel more like a close-knit neighborhood than a purely transactional residence. The presence of a Property Manager who has remained with the community since its inception is highlighted as a stabilizing, reassuring factor in residents' experiences.

Taken together, the reviews present a nuanced portrait of Berkshire Greendale. On the positive side, Joann is repeatedly celebrated for kindness, expertise, and a welcoming demeanor, and the building itself is described as well cared for with a robust roster of social activities that sustain a lively, friendly atmosphere. On the more challenging side, a significant incident involving a flood exposed gaps in crisis response and resident support, prompting strong emotions and a call for stronger protections and accommodations during emergencies. The mix of experiences suggests a community with strong foundational strengths - quietly kept premises, an engaged management team, and a socially active resident population - while also indicating a need for ongoing attention to crisis communication and resident welfare in the face of unexpected events. For prospective residents weighing Berkshire Greendale, the message is clear: a warm, well-kept community with dedicated leadership exists here, but it's wise to consider both the everyday strengths and the steps taken when crises arise.

Greendale, Wisconsin, offers a convenient and bustling community for senior living with a variety of amenities nearby. Within close proximity, there are numerous dining options including The Explorium Brewpub Southridge and El Beso for enjoyable meals out. Access to healthcare is easily attainable with the Greendale Health Center and other clinics within a short distance. Several pharmacies such as Walgreens and Meijer Pharmacy are available for medication needs. For leisure and relaxation, parks like Schmidt Park and Greenfield Park offer outdoor spaces to enjoy nature. Additionally, transportation is easily accessible with Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport nearby. Overall, Greendale provides a thriving community with essential services and recreational opportunities for seniors looking to settle in the area.

Restaurants

• The Explorium Brewpub Southridge (0.2 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.4 miles)
• El Beso (0.6 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Kopp's Frozen Custard (0.9 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (2.2 miles)

Physicians

• Greendale Health Center (0.9 miles)
• Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center (2.6 miles)
• Layton Avenue Dermatolgy Clinic (2.7 miles)
• Maplewood Center (3.1 miles)
• Innovative Pain Care (3.2 miles)
• Oklahoma Pediatrics-Children's Wisconsin (3.4 miles)
• Lincoln Avenue Clinic (4.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Meijer Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Metro Market (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Hawthorne Coffee Roasters (4.9 miles)
• Starbucks (5.3 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.5 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Surgicenter - Children's Wisconsin (3.4 miles)
• Aurora St Luke's Medical Center (4 miles)
• Rogers Memorial Hospital (4.6 miles)
• Froedert Drexel Square Clinic (5.2 miles)

Parks

• West Allis West Milwaukee Recr (3.7 miles)
• Schmidt Park (4.3 miles)
• Runway Dog Exercise Area (5.4 miles)
• Greenfield Park (5.4 miles)

Theaters

• South Shore Cinema Oak Creek, Wi (4.1 miles)
• Ridge Cinema New Berlin, Wi (5.3 miles)

Transportation

• Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) (5.1 miles)
• Delta Ticket Counter (5.1 miles)
• Security Checkpoint (5.1 miles)
• Concourse C (5.1 miles)
• Concourse D (5.2 miles)
• MKE Runway (5.6 miles)