Desert Crest Retirement Apts in Phoenix, AZ

Pros

• Manor Village is described as a warm, family-like community where residents feel safe, supported, and welcomed.
• The staff at Manor Village are consistently friendly, caring, and attentive, treating residents like family.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, modern, and beautifully decorated.
• The dining program is excellent, with chef-curated menus, delicious meals, and flexible dining options.
• A wide variety of activities, outings, and social events keep residents engaged and happy.
• Memory Care services are delivered with compassion and expertise, helping residents thrive.
• Manor Village offers a complete continuum of care (Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care) on one campus.
• The leadership and management are responsive, transparent, and dedicated to residents' well-being.
• The environment is safe, welcoming, and respectful, with staff who know residents by name.
• The community earns high praise for its sense of belonging and people with heart who support one another.

Cons

• For the money they charge is not worth living here. They are very greedy and management doesn't really care about the residents.
• The chef before him seemed to not care, and his removal without explanation was a significant loss for the manor and truly disappointing.
• Front doors were left wide open with no one at the desk or in the lobby, signaling a security issue that should be addressed.
• There has been so much turnover with dining room staff, suggesting instability in that department.
• The dining room is still working out some kinks (since July), indicating the dining experience isn't fully smooth yet.
• One review says the residents are truly the only good thing left at the community, aside from some team members, implying dissatisfaction with staff.

Review

This community is best suited for families seeking a true continuum of care on a single campus, with independent living, assisted living, and memory care all available under one roof. The Desert Ridge location in Phoenix places residents in a lively, amenity-rich setting close to Desert Ridge shopping and a broad medical network, with a reassuring sense of community and stability. What stands out in the reviews is a consistently warm, family-oriented culture where staff, residents, and families feel connected. The dining program is repeatedly praised as a strength, and the memory care neighboring teams are noted for meaningful engagement and attentive, patient care.

Alternatives are worth considering for families with tighter budgets or different priorities. A handful of reviewers flag the price as a potential hurdle, suggesting that value may not align with every family's expectations. Others point to a desire for even more quiet, private time or for a facility that prioritizes a less social pace. There are a few voices that question dining-room organization or governance at times, and one review highlights a security lapse. If cost containment, a quieter daily rhythm, or a more hands-off management style are non-negotiables, it pays to compare with other communities that offer lower fees, different governance structures, or distinct approaches to day-to-day operations.

The core strengths of this community largely offset the notable cons. The staff's evident warmth and consistent attentiveness create what families describe as a true sense of partnership and belonging. Care teams across independent, assisted, and memory care are frequently singled out for going "above and beyond," with residents who flourish under careful supervision, individualized attention, and proactive communication. The dining program - led by a hands-on chef and supported by weekly chef feedback sessions - addresses dietary needs (such as gluten-free or dairy-free menus) and emphasizes meals that residents genuinely enjoy. Memory care teams receive particular praise for patience, expertise, and the capacity to keep loved ones engaged in activities that suit evolving needs.

Alongside the people, the environment reinforces the positives. The community is described as bright, modern, and well maintained, with spacious accommodations and appealing common spaces that feel more like a hotel than a typical residence. On-site therapies (OT, PT, speech), regular medical visits brought to the apartment, and a hospitality-forward approach to dining and activities combine to reduce friction for families navigating transitions. The calendar of activities is robust, including art, music, outings, and opportunities to connect with neighbors - often facilitated by dedicated staff who know residents by name and foster a welcoming, collaborative atmosphere. The "village" model - that is, interactions among independent, assisted, and memory care residents - appears to be a core differentiator that many families value.

Still, certain concerns appear in a minority of reviews. A few families describe price perception and management focus as a tension point, suggesting that the cost of care may outpace perceived value for some residents. There are mentions of turnover in dining staff and suggestions for better coordination in dining operations and laundry logistics. A security note about doors being left unsecured at certain times also emerges in one comment. None of these deny the overall warmth and quality of care, but they do indicate where diligence matters most: ensure pricing details are crystal-clear, verify ongoing dining-room leadership stability, and confirm solid security practices during all hours of operation.

For families weighing a final decision, a disciplined due diligence approach is essential. Schedule a multi-person tour and insist on meeting the leadership team, dining staff, and memory-care specialists. Request a transparent, line-by-line breakdown of fees and what is included, and ask to speak with current residents about daily life, meal quality, and activity participation. Ask to observe memory-care programming and to learn how care plans are designed and updated in collaboration with families. Importantly, probe the onboarding experience: how new residents are paired with "buddy" dining partners, how quickly staff respond to requests, and how regularly family updates are shared. When the priority is a vibrant, supported lifestyle with exceptional caregiving and a genuine sense of community, this Manor Village setting stands out as a top choice. If budget, pace, or a quieter, less social environment drive the decision, alternatives with different cost structures or care philosophies warrant comparison.

This part of Phoenix, Arizona offers a convenient and diverse array of amenities for seniors looking to relocate. With a variety of dining options ranging from upscale restaurants like Wrigley Mansion to fast food chains such as McDonald's and In-N-Out Burger, residents have plenty of choices for meals. Additionally, there are several pharmacies nearby for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. For medical care, there are multiple physicians offices and hospitals in the vicinity, providing peace of mind for seniors seeking quality healthcare services. Nearby parks like Phoenix Mountain Preserve offer opportunities for outdoor recreation, while local cafes like Panera Bread and Starbucks provide spaces for socializing and relaxation. The neighborhood also boasts several places of worship for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded community for seniors to enjoy and thrive in their retirement years.

Restaurants

• Wrigley Mansion (0.8 miles)
• The Whining Pig (0.9 miles)
• Arriba Mexican Grill (1.6 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.7 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (1.8 miles)
• Windsor (2.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.5 miles)

Physicians

• Keystone Natural Family Medicine (1.6 miles)
• Phoenix Skin Medical Surgical Group (2.7 miles)
• Arizona Eye Specialists (3.6 miles)
• SimonMed Imaging - Phoenix (4.2 miles)
• Null (4.4 miles)
• Dignity Health Peppertree Family Medicine (4.4 miles)
• Aoc (4.6 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.7 miles)
• Provision Coffee Bar (2.4 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Lux Central (3.1 miles)
• Press Coffee - The Roastery (3.7 miles)
• Dark Hall Coffee (4.1 miles)

Places of Worship

• Christ Church of the Ascension (2.3 miles)
• First United Methodist Church of Phoenix (2.5 miles)
• Open Door Fellowship Church (4.1 miles)
• Roosevelt Community Church (5.5 miles)

Parks

• Phoenix Mountain Preserve (2.8 miles)
• Royal Palm Park (3.8 miles)
• Granada Park (3.8 miles)
• Encanto Park (5.2 miles)
• Margaret T. Hance Park (5.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Carl T Hayden VA Medical Center, Recreation Therapy (3.1 miles)
• Surgical Specialty Hospital Of Arizona (3.7 miles)
• Abrazo Central Campus (3.9 miles)
• St Josephs Neurological ICU (4.2 miles)
• St Joseph's Hospital & Med Center: Deguzman Brian J MD (4.3 miles)
• Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix (4.9 miles)
• Maricopa Medical Center (5.1 miles)

Transportation

• Thomas/Central Ave METRO (4.2 miles)
• METRO McDowell/Central Ave (5.1 miles)
• Airport Rent-A-Car (5.8 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Arizona Center 24 (5.7 miles)