OAKBRIDGE TERRACE ASSISTED LIVING AT INDIAN RIVER ESTATES

Pros

• The therapists at Indian River Estates are highly professional and courteous.
• It is a wonderful place to live, with many activities and excellent staff.
• The campus is excellent and very well run.
• The retirement community offers high-end amenities, great meals, and top-notch healthcare options.
• The community is gorgeous, with large lots, lake views, and well-maintained homes.
• Residents receive professional and caring care from nurses and staff.
• The facility is beautiful and worthy of a visit.
• The staff is very helpful and creates a pleasant atmosphere for residents.
• The best retirement community in Vero Beach.
• The facility is dedicated to resident safety and has taken extensive measures during the pandemic.

Cons

• The facility kept a payment for seven months, which is despicable.
• The director Erelyn Hicks is very rude and condescending.
• There were intermittent problems with electricity and water leaks.
• The entry process slows admission, especially when several people are ahead.
• Navigation to individual apartments through the community is very complex and disorienting.
• Some procedures are convoluted and the staff seems overwhelmed.
• There is a high risk of theft due to high foot traffic through the interconnected community.

Review

Indian River Estates comes across in these notes as a thriving, full-service retirement community where care, activity, and social connection sit at the center of daily life. Reviewers repeatedly highlight the strength of the physical and occupational therapy teams, praising them as among the best you'll find. The therapists are described as professional and courteous, delivering therapy in a way that feels both effective and supportive. Several voices mention that the sessions are not only productive but might even be enjoyable or fun, which can make the often demanding work of therapy feel more approachable. Whether residents participate in therapy in the on-site Fitness Center, in Willow Brooke, or in their own living spaces, the tone is consistently positive about the care and attention they receive.

Beyond therapy, many reviewers express enthusiasm about Indian River Estates as a wonderful place to live. The sentiment is reinforced with reminders of great friends and excellent staff who serve the community with warmth and dedication. The campus is portrayed as a hub of opportunity to stay physically and mentally active, with a wide array of options - from sports and fitness activities to entertainment, educational programs, and the arts. The medical care is repeatedly labeled top notch, and the people - the residents and staff from diverse backgrounds - are celebrated for creating priceless, lasting friendships. The invitation to "don't wait, come visit" reflects the strong, welcoming spirit that many residents feel.

The campus itself is described as beautiful and well maintained, with large lots that often face a lake and feature attractive homes. In multiple voices, reviewers compare the experience to being on a cruise ship, thanks to the abundance of amenities and the sheer breadth of things to do. The combination of a scenic environment, well-kept grounds, and a comprehensive set of services helps paint Indian River Estates as a premier option in the region. Several reviewers go as far as calling it the best retirement community in the area, underscoring their belief that the setting, care, and social fabric all come together to create a high-quality living experience.

Alongside the overwhelmingly positive impressions, there are a few cautionary notes that surface. One reviewer described a negative experience with a facility director, characterizing Erelyn Hicks as rude and condescending, and alleging a billing issue tied to a death in the family. This account stands out as a strong disagreement with leadership and financial handling, and it is presented as a personal experience rather than a universal judgment. Another reviewer warned about a recent entry process that requires visitors to register by name and phone number and receive a number, noting that the process can slow entry, especially when many people arrive at once. These comments highlight operational and administrative frictions that can affect the ease of visits and admissions.

Other concerns touch on facility maintenance and day-to-day operations. A guest mentioned intermittent electricity and water leaks as being noticeable during a visit, describing them as potential drawbacks in an otherwise favorable environment. Food service is another point of contention in at least one critique, where a reviewer singled out a particular staff member - described as a tall woman with noticeable eye makeup - who allegedly rolled her eyes and made under-the-breath comments, with a separate note about smoking observed at one time near closing. While these claims are specific and pointed, they reflect a fragment of user experience and are not presented as universal truths about the entire staff or the dining program.

There are also practical observations about navigating the community. One reviewer delivering as a private courier noted that while the grounds and staff were consistently kind and welcoming, getting from the gates to specific apartments through the interconnected community could be confusing. The suggestion to add navigation maps near entrances, elevators, and public areas, as well as the idea of dedicating a secure room for mail delivery, was offered as a means to improve safety and efficiency in a high-traffic setting. Despite these navigation concerns, the overall sentiment remains that the community is a pleasant and well-regarded place to live.

On balance, the reviews portray Indian River Estates as a place of substantial value for those seeking a retirement lifestyle that blends autonomy with robust care. The strongest themes celebrate the strength and professionalism of the therapy teams, the wide range of activities, the high-quality medical care, and the friendliness of many staff members and residents. The campus ambiance - beautiful grounds, lake views, and well-kept homes - adds to the sense of living in a vibrant, active, and supportive community. Against this positive backdrop, a few criticisms about management, entry procedures, and select staff interactions emerge, offering a balanced view of a place that many describe as a standout option in the area. If you're looking for a community that emphasizes comprehensive care, social engagement, and a sunny, well-maintained environment, Indian River Estates appears to be well worth a visit.

Places of Worship

• St John of the Cross Catholic Church and Office (0.4 miles)
• Trinity Episcopal Church (5.4 miles)
• Calvary Chapel Vero Beach (5.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Indian River 24 (1.4 miles)
• The Majestic 11 (5.6 miles)

Restaurants

• IHOP (1.6 miles)
• Wendy's (1.7 miles)
• McDonald's (1.9 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2 miles)
• Olive Garden (2 miles)
• Fujiyama Japanese Steakhouse (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.1 miles)
• Rio Coco Beans (3.3 miles)
• The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. (5.5 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.3 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
• Cvs Caremark Distribution Center (3 miles)
• Health Mart Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (4.9 miles)

Physicians

• Westside Family Practice (3.5 miles)
• Pain Management Institute of Florida (3.5 miles)
• Dr Melvin (3.7 miles)
• Michael Barry Wein (3.9 miles)
• Diabetes & Endocrine Associates (4.1 miles)
• Christopher Tardif, MD (4.9 miles)
• Noor M Merchant MD & Associates PA (5 miles)

Transportation

• Paris Air (3.6 miles)
• Vero Beach Municipal Airport (KVRB) (3.9 miles)
• Vero Beach Municipal Airport (VRB) (4 miles)
• Avis Rent A Car (5.5 miles)

Parks

• Pocahontas Park (5.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Medical Specialty Procedures L.C (5.3 miles)
• Indian River Memorial Hospital Heliport (5.5 miles)
• Indian River Memorial Behavioral (5.5 miles)
• Indian River Medical Center (5.5 miles)
• Labor And Delivery (5.6 miles)