Rancho Franciscan Senior Apt

Pros

• Oscar Funez is an excellent property manager and is always available to help.
• Armando Ramos is in charge of all major maintenance on the property and is knowledgeable and quick to respond.
• Oscar and Armando help make living at Rancho Franciscan more enjoyable.
• The carpet replacement was installed efficiently with great care for furniture.
• Maintenance requests are always handled promptly and efficiently by Oscar and Armando.
• The laundry room is immaculate.
• Oscar, the resident leasing agent, is exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly, making the experience comfortable.
• Armando is always friendly, helpful, and efficient.
• Armando installed a new refrigerator promptly after returning from vacation, which residents greatly appreciated.
• Rancho Franciscan is a wonderful community for seniors with spectacular management and maintenance.

Cons

• The movers who replaced the furniture didn't align the bed correctly.
• The noise from carpet cleaning is unbearable.
• Maintenance did not put things back where they were taken from, leaving a balled-up shower curtain on the floor, glue on the bathroom floor, and scratches on the tub.
• There is a very long waiting list to get housing.
• The rent is astronomical.
• They don't allow visiting dogs.
• Moving and parking are harder.
• It would have been nice to see the inside of the apartment before moving in.

Review

Residents and long-time guests alike describe Rancho Franciscan as a wonderful, supportive community for seniors, nestled in a convenient Santa Barbara location that emphasizes independence and comfort. Across many notes, people consistently highlight the calm, clean environment and the sense of belonging that comes with living here. The property's on-site team is frequently praised for turning good intentions into reliable service, with particular emphasis on the management and maintenance staff who keep the community running smoothly.

Oscar Funez, the on-site manager, is a recurring point of praise. Reviewers say he is always available to help in any situation and that he addresses every issue quickly and efficiently. His knowledge of the community rules and regulations, paired with his friendly demeanor, makes residents feel heard and at ease. One resident singled out Oscar's courtesy and expertise as essential to a comfortable living experience, noting that his responsiveness and positive attitude consistently elevate daily life at Rancho Franciscan.

Armando Ramos, who leads the major maintenance efforts, is described as knowledgeable, fast to respond, and consistently pleasant. He is credited with handling a wide range of tasks with efficiency, from routine repairs to more significant upgrades. Several residents recall notable examples: Armando came back from vacation to install a new refrigerator, he personally adjusted a heavy, adjustable bed to restore proper alignment after movers had left beds misaligned, and he has repeatedly demonstrated his willingness to go the extra mile to ensure comfort and safety. In one testimonial, a resident even called Armando "worth his weight in gold," underscoring the high value residents place on his hands-on approach and dependable service.

The collaboration among staff members - Oscar, Armando, and other team members - creates a cohesive and responsive experience. Specific individuals such as Kay, Sandy, and Stuart are frequently mentioned as delivering excellent resident service. Residents appreciate the way repairs are scheduled and completed promptly, with several noting that Stuart promptly diagnosed and resolved a garbage disposal leak, while Sandy and Kay are credited with coordinating care and support. The overall sentiment is that the staff genuinely cares about residents' well-being and makes communication and problem-solving a priority.

Carpet replacement and general maintenance are common themes, with overwhelmingly positive feedback about the quality and speed of work. When worn-out carpet was finally replaced, it was installed efficiently and with careful attention to furniture protection, leading to express satisfaction about the outcome. Residents also celebrate the interior improvements and the improved overall condition of the units. At the same time, a few isolated notes call for more attention to finish-work details - such as ensuring items are put back in their original places, avoiding residue or scratches, and coordinating measurements or furniture repositioning - reminding management that small missteps can momentarily disrupt an otherwise seamless experience.

The living environment at Rancho Franciscan is consistently described as quiet, clean, and comfortable. The laundry facilities are noted as immaculate, and the building itself is described as easy to navigate, with elevators making access to apartments straightforward. Residents remark on the quality of the kitchen appliances and the general readiness of units for daily living, as well as the presence of a patio or balcony with appealing views. The community appears cable-ready and well-equipped, contributing to a sense of home and ease in daily routines.

Access to amenities and the surrounding neighborhood also factor into the overall positive impression. The location is praised for its centrality and its proximity to services that support independent living for seniors. In particular, there is emphasis on the nearby YMCA, which provides classes and opportunities to stay active and socially connected. The combination of a strong on-site management team and a supportive, well-connected setting seems to be central to why many residents feel fortunate to call Rancho Franciscan home.

Despite the many strengths, several reviews acknowledge areas for improvement. Some residents note that carpet cleaning can be quite loud, suggesting more consideration for noise levels during frequent cleaning. Others recount moments when moving-related tasks or furniture adjustments were less seamless, indicating a desire for more assistance or clearer coordination in those instances. There are also practical concerns about long waiting lists for housing, and a few comments about the cost of rent or policy restrictions, such as not allowing visiting dogs. Nonetheless, even these points are presented within a generally positive framework, with residents recognizing the overall value and the responsive nature of the staff.

Overall, Rancho Franciscan emerges as a community that many residents are eager to praise. The combination of proactive management, reliable maintenance, clean and comfortable living spaces, and a supportive neighborhood environment creates a living experience that residents describe as fulfilling and enjoyable. Staff members - especially Oscar Funez, Armando Ramos, and their colleagues - are repeatedly named as key contributors to the positive atmosphere, delivering care, attentiveness, and practical help that makes life here feel effortless and uplifting, even as residents acknowledge occasional hiccups that can be improved with continued attention and coordination.

Physicians

• Sansum Clinic Hitchcock Rehabilitation and Extended Care (0.1 miles)
• Buenaventura Optometry, Provider of Eyexam of CA (0.3 miles)
• Dr Wilson Wu MD PhD (0.4 miles)
• Pueblo Radiology (0.4 miles)
• Family Practice Medical Group (0.5 miles)
• Dr. James Moghtader MD (0.5 miles)
• Sansum Clinic (0.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Lure Fish House (0.2 miles)
• Spudnuts & Bagels (0.3 miles)
• Denny's (0.3 miles)
• Luna Grill (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.5 miles)
• Le Cafe Stella (0.6 miles)
• Harry's Plaza Cafe (0.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• The Medicine Shoppe (0.3 miles)
• Longs Drugs (0.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Federal Drug Co. (0.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Sansum Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Dr Tavinder Dhillon DMD (0.5 miles)
• Emcare Of California (0.5 miles)
• Rehabilitation Institute At Santa Barbara (1.3 miles)
• Cottage Children's Hospital (1.3 miles)
• Cottage Health System (1.4 miles)
• Summit Surgery Center (1.4 miles)
• Santa Barbara County Environmental Health Services (2.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Hope Community Church (0.9 miles)
• Old Mission (1.8 miles)
• Santa Barbara Mission Church (1.8 miles)

Parks

• Mission Historical Park & Rose Gardens (1.8 miles)
• Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens (2.3 miles)
• Alameda Park (2.3 miles)
• Arroyo Burro Beach (2.3 miles)
• Kid's World (2.3 miles)
• Tucker's Grove Park (2.6 miles)
• Douglas Family Preserve (2.7 miles)

Theaters

• Arlington Theatre Ticket Agency (2.3 miles)

Cafes

• Cajé Coffee - Arlington St (2.4 miles)
• Savoy Cafe & Deli (2.6 miles)
• Dune Coffee Roasters - State Street (2.6 miles)