Angelus Plaza in Los Angeles, CA

Pros

• the building itself is great and has lots of community oriented amenities for the residents!
• It was very clean and the walking path around was very nice.
• Beautiful place so well maintained.
• Nice experience.
• A building is warm and welcoming!
• Excellent service.
• Convenient location.
• Convenient apartment.
• One of the best places to go to volunteer and go to an AA meeting at 12 noon Monday through Friday.
• A place for seniors to have fun, explore their undiscovered or hidden talents, and to live a 2nd childhood without adult supervision!
• Always something going on, never a dull moment.
• Great place ?
• Great staff!
• Great place for seniors and wonderful management.

Cons

• The parking attendant is incredibly rude and refuses to let people park, making visits unpleasant.
• The D manager Mona is described by the reviewer as the rudest person they've encountered, having yelled at residents.
• The maintenance department is criticized for ignoring seniors in need and for unhelpful, disrespectful behavior from staff.
• The maintenance staff are accused of racism and of showing no respect to elders, treating residents like homeless people.
• Maintenance sometimes leaves residents without hot water for showers due to neglect.
• Parking is very limited, with public parking on Oliver Street expected to disappear due to development.
• The cafeteria that used to offer lunches and dinners has been eliminated.
• A security guard is described as very rude.

Review

Angelus Plaza in Los Angeles is best suited for active seniors who want a lively, community-driven campus and for families that prize robust social life, safety, and a sense of belonging for their loved ones. The building's amenities create a clear sense of community: plentiful activities, volunteer opportunities, and a campus atmosphere that encourages residents to explore new interests or rekindle old ones. People living there repeatedly emphasize feeling secure, cared for, and connected to others, with a tangible home-like vibe that makes daily life seem less like a retirement plan and more like a supported, social lifestyle.

That said, some families should consider alternatives. Parking is a persistent bottleneck, complicating visits and creating friction for guests. Management interactions have produced mixed experiences: some residents describe courteous, attentive service, while others recount confrontations or dismissive behavior from staff leadership. Maintenance can drift into inconsistency, with specific complaints about hot water reliability and slow response to repair requests. A portion of residents also reports a sense that certain staff members treat elders with a lack of respect, or that building services have shifted (such as the removal of the cafeteria) in ways that reduce convenience and familiarity.

The strongest positives lie in the community's programming and atmosphere. The campus is described as clean, well-maintained, and welcoming, with walking paths that invite physical activity and casual strolls. The staff, when aligned with residents' needs, earns praise for kindness and genuine effort, contributing to strong endorsements from families who say, "thanks for taking care of my parents" and "there's so many activities." The location itself is a clear asset, combining urban accessibility with a sense of security and a dense calendar of meetings, volunteer opportunities, and social events that help stave off isolation. For residents who thrive on engagement, the pros can materially outweigh friction in day-to-day operations.

Yet the drawbacks are real and nontrivial. The most frequent red flags center on management and service consistency. A longtime manager is described as rude and dismissive toward residents, and a parking attendant is called out for unhelpful, occasionally hostile behavior toward visitors. Parking scarcity compounds these issues, limiting access for family and healthcare visits. Maintenance lapses - such as hot water shortages and ignored inquiries - cut into comfort and trust, eroding the otherwise strong sense of safety and community. Several reviews also point to a shift away from onsite dining options, which removes a regular, predictable meals-related convenience many families value. Finally, credible concerns about respectful treatment by staff and potential racial insensitivity complicate the decision for families prioritizing a consistently positive resident?staff dynamic.

The core question becomes whether the community's social and safety strengths can offset the recurring management and maintenance frictions. For families seeking an active, socially rich environment where a loved one can participate in frequent programs, Angelus Plaza offers tangible value that can significantly enrich daily life. The presence of a robust activity calendar, accessible walking spaces, and volunteers or meeting opportunities helps reduce loneliness and fosters a sense of purpose. When staff members go the extra mile, the warmth and reassurance from the team can feel transformative, making safety, companionship, and daily engagement worth navigating the imperfect administration at times. The overall rating of 4.1 from 74 reviews reflects a mixed but not dismissible balance in favor of the lifestyle payoff for many residents.

The practical path for families is clear: approach with a plan and clear expectations. Visit with a checklist that includes how the staff handles routine requests, how quickly maintenance responds to issues, and how the entry and parking system functions on peak visiting days. Speak directly with several residents about their daily interactions with both management and front-line staff, and request a tour that includes the dining and activity spaces to gauge whether the social environment aligns with a loved one's preferences. If parking is non-negotiable, verify current guest parking arrangements or consider alternatives that guarantee easier access. For those prioritizing consistently responsive maintenance and uniformly respectful staff, exploring other Los Angeles senior communities may yield fewer headaches, while for families valuing an energized, connected lifestyle, Angelus Plaza remains a compelling option worth pursuing with eyes wide open.

This part of Los Angeles, California, offers a variety of amenities that cater to the needs and interests of seniors. With a selection of diverse restaurants, including the upscale Precinct and Takami Sushi & Robata, dining options are plentiful and accessible within walking distance. Additionally, there are several pharmacies nearby for convenient access to medications and healthcare necessities. For entertainment, theaters such as Alamo Drafthouse Downtown and Regal LA Live provide opportunities for cultural enrichment. Transportation is easily accessible through Union Station for those looking to explore the city further. The numerous parks in the area offer tranquil spaces for outdoor activities or leisurely strolls, promoting an active lifestyle. With reputable hospitals like LAC+USC Inpatient Tower and USC-Norris Cancer Hospital in close proximity, seniors can have peace of mind knowing quality healthcare services are readily available. Overall, this part of Los Angeles provides a vibrant and convenient environment that caters to the diverse needs of seniors seeking a comfortable living experience.

Restaurants

• Precinct (0.2 miles)
• Perch (0.2 miles)
• Takami Sushi & Robata (0.5 miles)
• EightyTwo (0.8 miles)
• The Original Philippe (0.9 miles)
• Yard House (1.1 miles)
• Bavel (1.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.4 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (0.6 miles)
• Regal LA Live & 4DX (1.2 miles)
• TCL Chinese Theatre (6.3 miles)
• AMC The Americana at Brand 18 (6.3 miles)
• AMC The Grove 14 (6.4 miles)

Transportation

• Union Station (0.8 miles)

Cafes

• Verve Coffee Roasters (1.2 miles)
• Starbucks (1.9 miles)
• Starbucks Reserve (2 miles)
• Starbucks (2.4 miles)
• Lamill Coffee Boutique (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.6 miles)
• Proof Bakery (4.5 miles)

Parks

• Echo Park at the Lotus Festival (1.8 miles)
• Elysian Park (2.3 miles)
• Glassell Park Recreation Center (4.5 miles)
• Cleland Ave Bicentennial Park (4.7 miles)
• Granada Park (6.1 miles)
• Pan Pacific Park (6.3 miles)
• Arroyo Seco Park (6.4 miles)

Hospitals

• LAC+USC Inpatient Tower (2.5 miles)
• Usc-Norris Cancer Hospital (2.6 miles)
• Kedren Community Health Center (3.2 miles)
• Prado Center (6 miles)
• Medical 2 unit (6.8 miles)