California Manor

Pros

• The property is affordable for disabled and low-income seniors.
• The property is pet-friendly.
• Hot water was provided for residents after repair requests were made.

Cons

• The management at California Manor is described as doing the bare minimum and failing to keep repairs up.
• The apartments are described as being below normal standards, with carpet worn to the point of exposed tack strips and painful to walk on.
• New carpet is not consistently provided to residents at move-in.
• Two residents reportedly did not have hot water in their showers for over a year until intervention occurred.
• Even after multiple repair requests, hot water was only restored after intervention, causing the residents to give up trying.
• Some residents have needed repairs after living there for more than eight years.
• California renter policies do not require fresh paint or carpet repairs.
• The building is not active or responsive to renters' concerns and is better described as lacking responsiveness.
• The property is described as being like a hospital in its condition.
• There are no places provided for pets to relieve themselves, despite the property being labeled pet-friendly.

Review

California Manor leaves a bitter impression for anyone looking for a rental that respects basic living standards. The overarching sentiment is that the management operates at the bare minimum required by law, never aiming to exceed it, and often neglects maintenance in ways that become noticeable in daily life. Repairs are evidently not kept up, and the units slide into a state that feels far below what most renters would consider acceptable. This appears to be a systemic issue rather than occasional lapses, with several longtime residents bearing the burden of slow or inconsistent fixes.

A defining example of the wear and tear is the condition of the carpeting. The reviewer notes carpet so worn that tac strips become visible, which not only looks shabby but also makes walking uncomfortable and potentially painful. The concern is compounded by the observation that new carpet is not consistently provided at move-in. For people already managing the challenges of aging or disability, stepping into a unit with such evident wear can be a daily reminder that comfort and safety are not priorities in practice.

Another striking point is whether basic amenities are reliable. The reviewer tells of two friends who shared a home in the same complex and went for over a year without hot water in the shower. Despite sending multiple repair requests, the problem persisted for a lengthy period until the reviewer personally intervened, at which point hot water finally returned. The experience left those residents exhausted and discouraged, with one noting that their efforts to get repairs resolved were abandoned after nothing changed. This illustrates a pattern where urgent issues are stalled or neglected, undermining trust in the maintenance process.

Long-term residents seem to be facing ongoing repair needs that stretch over many years. The reviewer mentions people who have lived in their units for eight years or more and still require repairs, a situation that suggests a chronic maintenance shortfall. The underlying policies are cited as a factor: California Renter's Policies reportedly do not require fresh paint or repairs to carpets, which can leave residents living with substandard conditions without a formal path to improvement. This points to structural gaps between policy language and residents' lived experiences.

The property is described as affordable for those who are disabled or on low income, which underscores the tough trade-off many tenants feel they're making. The affordability is framed as a lifeline for certain populations, but it comes with visible compromises in maintenance responsiveness and overall living quality. The reviewer makes it clear that the appeal of a lower rent is dampened by persistent neglect, especially for seniors who may require more reliable upkeep and safer living environments.

When advising future renters, the takeaway is to seek out properties that are active and responsive to renter concerns. The reviewer suggests looking for places that genuinely listen and act on repairs and improvements, rather than ones that appear to tolerate slow responses or neglect. On a lighter note, the idea of "PET FRIENDLY" is presented as a potentially attractive feature, but even that is undermined by practical shortcomings - there is no designated area to take pets for their business, and visible signage admonishes residents to stay off the grass. The comparison of the atmosphere to a hospital adds a stark sense of sterility and lack of warmth, conveying a place where comfort and livability seem to be secondary to other concerns.

Taken together, the account paints a portrait of California Manor as a facility where maintenance issues are common, and where the response from management feels reactive rather than proactive. For tenants who can afford more responsive service, or who do not rely on consistent repairs due to disability or age, the price of admission might be too high. For others, the appeal of affordability is overshadowed by the ongoing struggle to secure even basic comforts such as clean carpet, reliable hot water, and timely repairs.

Atascadero, California is a lovely town with a variety of amenities to offer seniors looking for a tranquil and convenient living environment. With close proximity to hospitals such as Atascadero State Hospital and pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, residents can have peace of mind knowing that their healthcare needs are easily accessible. Additionally, the abundance of parks such as Paloma Creek Park and El Chorro Regional Park provides opportunities for leisurely walks or outdoor activities. A range of dining options, from casual spots like Taco Bell to more upscale establishments like Thai Elephant Restaurant, ensures that residents have diverse choices when it comes to dining out. Moreover, the presence of reputable physicians' practices like Cuesta Family Medicine and Patterson and Tedford Pediatrics guarantees quality healthcare services within reach. For those looking to socialize or relax over a cup of coffee, cafes such as The Tea Trolley and Spearhead Coffee provide cozy atmospheres for gatherings with friends. Overall, Atascadero offers a safe and welcoming community for seniors seeking a peaceful yet vibrant place to call home.

Hospitals

• Atascadero State Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Michael Zemella Chiropractic (1.6 miles)

Parks

• Paloma Creek Park (0.9 miles)
• Templeton Park (6.9 miles)
• El Chorro Dog Park (10 miles)
• Sherwood Forest Park (10.1 miles)
• El Chorro Regional Park (10.2 miles)
• Centennial Park (11.1 miles)
• Downtown City Park Of Paso Robles (11.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2 miles)
• En Soleil Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Central Coast Pharmacy Specialists (6.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (10.6 miles)
• Albertsons Pharmacy (10.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Country Touch Cafe (1.1 miles)
• Taco Bell (1.6 miles)
• Thai Elephant Restaurant (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Wild Fields Brewhouse (2.1 miles)
• Sylvester's Burgers (2.3 miles)
• Colony Market And (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Radiology Diagnostic Center (1.4 miles)
• Patterson and Tedford Pediatrics (1.6 miles)
• Community Health Center (1.6 miles)
• Caring-psychiatry (1.7 miles)
• Cuesta Family Medicine (2.3 miles)
• Advanced Ob/gyn (2.4 miles)
• Coast Orthopedic Specialty: Kowall Mark G MD (7 miles)

Cafes

• SloDoCo Donuts (2 miles)
• The Tea Trolley (2.3 miles)
• Kitchenette (7 miles)
• Brother’s Cafe 3:16 (10.6 miles)
• Red Scooter (11.5 miles)
• Spearhead Coffee (11.6 miles)