Garden View Manor

Pros

• It offers independent living.
• It has good air conditioning in the summer and serves nice breakfast and lunch.
• The staff are non-abusive.
• The janitors do a good job and are friendly.
• The staff are very friendly.
• It is very peaceful, clean, well-kept, and makes residents feel at home.

Cons

• The facility is overcrowded, with residents packed in like sardines.
• There is no privacy at the facility.
• The access hill is extremely steep (about 40% grade) and long, making it difficult for most residents.
• The steep hill results in many residents becoming shut-ins.
• A resident was promised a private room but ended up in a shared double.
• The owner insulted a resident by calling him a slob.
• The facility is described as a COVID-19 and flu superspreader due to crowding.
• A room change caused a resident to miss their mother's wake.
• The reviewer found the place just okay and in need of updates.

Review

This collection of notes paints a picture of an independent-living community that some residents find workable and even comforting in parts, while others view it as crowded, insufficient, and challenging in several crucial ways. On balance, readers encounter a mix of everyday comforts and serious drawbacks, with opinions often splitting along lines of personal circumstance, mobility, and expectations about privacy, dignity, and safety.

Several reviewers highlight positive, tangible benefits that make daily life there seem manageable and even pleasant at times. The facility apparently delivers on basic comforts during the warmer months: good air conditioning to beat the heat, and dependable meals described as a nice breakfast and lunch. The staff, at least in some encounters, is portrayed as non-abusive and friendly, with janitors specifically praised for their hard work and amiability. One resident even singles out the overall feel of the place as homelike, and a separate note thanks a staff member (Joe) for a tour that conveyed a sense of welcome. These elements - reliable climate control, decent meals, and courteous, competent staff - offer a reassuring foundation for anyone weighing the decision to live there.

However, the reported drawbacks are substantial and repeatedly emphasized. A core concern is overcrowding and a corresponding lack of privacy. Descriptions of the facility as "packed in like sardines" convey a busy, congested environment where personal space is scarce. One critic notes that "the poor get screwed," suggesting that the combination of crowding and limited resources disproportionately affects less affluent residents. This sense of being crammed into a small space is compounded by interpersonal tensions and management practices that feel disrespectful to some residents. A particularly troubling account recounts a confrontation with the owner, who allegedly dismissed a resident as a " slob," and who reportedly refused a reasonable arrangement to bring in help for organization. The same review mentions a missed personal milestone - the resident's mother's wake - because the owner insisted on a room switch. Such episodes imply a management style that some residents find controlling or uncaring, undermining the sense of security and dignity many people seek in a living arrangement.

Access and mobility challenges emerge as another prominent theme. The facility sits atop a steep, long hill - described as a giant incline with a 40 percent grade and stretching for most of a football field - making the climb physically demanding for residents, especially those who rely on walkers. This architectural and topographical feature is not merely an inconvenience; it has real implications for daily routines, safety, and social participation. The hill, combined with a location on a street notorious for pedestrian accidents, raises concerns about winter conditions and overall accessibility. Several reviewers note that these factors contribute to a population that is aging in place, with many residents effectively becoming shut-ins. The physical layout thus directly affects quality of life, potentially excluding people who would otherwise participate in community life or attend appointments.

Health, safety, and public-health considerations deepen the unease. The hill and crowded environment intersect with concerns about winter weather, falling-on-ice dangers, and general vulnerability. The notes describe a resident population that appears pale, depressed, and sometimes morbidly obese, with a sense of anxiety or irritability that some attribute to the environment rather than to individual health alone. The COVID-19 era has left a mark as well, with at least one reviewer labeling the facility a "superspreader" and noting flu seasons as a risk. These health-related worries amplify the sense that the building's design and population density may pose ongoing risks, especially for older adults or those with chronic conditions.

The reviews also reflect the role of external authorities and funding in shaping expectations. One reviewer mentions VA disability pay for related assistance, hinting at the broader landscape of veteran services and supports that residents may rely on. Yet another note casts doubt on authorities' assessments, recalling that the VA deemed this the best place available even as residents describe significant flaws. This tension - between what formal assessments say and what individual residents experience day-to-day - adds another layer to the decision-making calculus for prospective residents and their families.

Towards the end, a trio of briefer, more positive remarks offers a counterbalance: someone simply calls the place "Nice"; another reviewer describes it as "Very peaceful, clean, well kept, friendly," and personally thanks a staff member for a tour; a third opinion, more restrained, says it is "Just ok? could definitely use updates." These snippets suggest that experiences vary not only from person to person but perhaps over time or by neighborhood within the building, by staff on shift, or by the specific unit to which a resident is assigned. They remind readers that, even amid widespread concerns, there can be moments of genuine satisfaction and comfort.

In sum, the place appears to deliver some dependable day-to-day routines - consistent meals, climate control, and friendly personnel - while grappling with structural, logistical, and social challenges that can diminish comfort and autonomy for many residents. For some, the benefits may outweigh the drawbacks, especially if mobility, privacy, and room assignment are less critical to their daily life. For others, the combination of overcrowding, invasive management practices, a punishing physical layout, and health and safety concerns makes the environment feel restrictive or unsafe. Prospective residents would do well to weigh the strong points against the clearly described drawbacks, visit in person, observe the unit layouts and accessibility, and consider how the community's culture and policies align with their own needs and expectations.

Located in the charming town of Hamden, Connecticut, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to the needs of senior residents. With several parks nearby such as East Rock Park and Wooster Square Park, seniors can enjoy outdoor activities and leisurely strolls. There are also numerous dining options including Nica's Market and Modern Apizza for those who prefer dining out. Medical care is easily accessible with physicians like Kennedy & Perkins Opticians and Yale Dermatology Associates PC within a short distance. Additionally, transportation options are convenient with the New Haven State Street Station and Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport nearby. For cultural entertainment, Cinemark North Haven theater is just a few miles away. Overall, this neighborhood provides a peaceful and well-rounded environment for seniors looking to reside in Hamden.

Parks

• East Rock Park (0.7 miles)
• Wooster Square Park (2.1 miles)
• Edgewood Park (2.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Nica's Market (1.3 miles)
• McDonald's (1.4 miles)
• Modern Apizza (1.4 miles)
• September in Bangkok (1.6 miles)
• Friendly's (2.1 miles)
• Zeneli Pizzeria (2.2 miles)
• Arethusa Farm Dairy (2.3 miles)

Physicians

• Kennedy & Perkins Opticians - New Haven (1.7 miles)
• Cornell Scott - Hill Health Center of 226 Dixwell Avenue New Haven, CT (1.9 miles)
• A Place To Nourish Your Health (2.5 miles)
• Yale Dermatology Associates PC (2.6 miles)
• New Haven Implant and Oral Care (2.6 miles)
• Dermatology Physicians of Connecticut (2.6 miles)
• Lima David MD (2.6 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Rite Aid (2.3 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.6 miles)

Transportation

• New Haven State Street Station (2.2 miles)
• New Haven Union Station (NHV) - Metro North/Amtrak/Shore Line East (2.7 miles)
• Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport (4.4 miles)
• Robinson Aviation (4.6 miles)
• Metro North West Haven Train Station (5.3 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage of Orange (6.4 miles)

Cafes

• Kaiydens Coffee (2.2 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.7 miles)
• Starbucks (4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)

Theaters

• Cinemark North Haven (2.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Yale New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus (2.6 miles)
• Hill Health Center Grant Street Partnership (3.5 miles)
• Veterans Affairs CT Healthcare System: West Haven Medical Center (4.7 miles)
• Hospital of Saint Raphael (5.3 miles)
• Harbor House (5.5 miles)
• Yale New Haven Hospital Blood Drawing Station (5.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Church Of The Holy Spirit (5 miles)