HearthSide Sugarloaf

Pros

• Hearthside Sugarloaf is described as a beautiful, safe, and well-kept community with a caring staff.
• Janice Patterson is repeatedly praised as professional, knowledgeable, patient, and exceptionally kind.
• The maintenance team, including Lorenzo, Rubin, and John, is consistently described as helpful, courteous, and reliable.
• Residents feel at home and secure, with a strong sense of community and friendly neighbors.
• The move-in process is described as smooth and well-supported by the staff.
• The amenities and activities, including coffee hours, exercise classes, and art classes, are enjoyed by residents.
• The facility is noted for being clean and well maintained.
• The office staff and community managers are described as friendly, responsive, and supportive.

Cons

• The gate access machine is faulty and this ongoing issue creates accessibility problems, especially on Saturdays when there is no staff.
• Saturday office closures force an elderly resident to exit her car to use a malfunctioning entry system.
• Rent increases, such as a $100 hike at lease renewal, are cited as the main downside.
• The waiting list at HearthSide Sugarloaf (or other locations) is described as long.
• A reviewer reports mold in a family member's unit and criticizes management's lack of empathy as inexcusable.
• Security is questioned because doors stay open too long after card or keypad use.

Review

Hearthside Sugarloaf is described by its residents as a beautiful, welcoming place that feels like home - a senior, independent living community where safety, convenience, and social connection are lived out every day. One resident, who has called Sugarloaf home since 2015, paints a picture of a location that's hard to beat for accessibility and everyday comfort: close to doctors, hospitals, groceries, pharmacies, and an array of nearby amenities. The setting is repeatedly described as well maintained and peaceful, with stylish, clean apartments and a campus that exudes warmth. Even as life's practical realities intrude - such as ongoing maintenance hiccups with the gate system - the overall sentiment remains strongly positive, thanks largely to the people who staff and run the place.

A consistent thread throughout the reviews is the standout service provided by the staff, especially the community's managers. Janice Patterson is a frequent point of praise. Multiple residents recount that she was not only professional and knowledgeable, but genuinely caring and patient - someone who could be relied upon to guide them through the leasing process, answer questions promptly, and take the time to explain options clearly. One person appreciated Janice's thoroughness in sending an application and in helping navigate the decision to move, describing her as someone who inspired confidence about the move and future steps, even after deciding against the move at the moment. The sentiment is echoed in later notes praising Janice's kindness and the sense that her guidance made the whole experience feel manageable and supportive.

Sheri Kirkley, another community leader, also earns high praise for her communication and demeanor. Reviewers describe her as approachable, helpful over the phone and in person, and attentive to residents' concerns. Her interactions contribute to a broader sense that Hearthside Sugarloaf is a place where the leadership team is accessible, responsive, and genuinely focused on residents' well-being.

Beyond management, the maintenance team garners consistent admiration. Lorenzo and John - two maintenance workers - are repeatedly praised for their attentiveness and willingness to go the extra mile. Within the same spirit of dependable care, Lorenzo is noted for guiding new residents around the building and helping with practical tasks like showing where to dispose of garbage and recycling. Another resident specifically credits Lorenzo for fixing an air issue, calling him amazing and expressing appreciation for his expertise. The Maintenance Manager Rubin is also highlighted for a professional, courteous approach during tours and interactions that convey pride in the property's upkeep. These hands-on staff members contribute to a sense of security and comfort, underscoring the community's commitment to a well-functioning living environment.

Sugarloaf's daily life and social calendar also shine in the residents' memories. The community seems to run on a steady rhythm of activities that foster connection and activity among seniors: coffee hour each morning, yoga or exercise classes, art sessions, and a variety of social events. The occasional potluck lunch, pizza and games events, and other organized gatherings give residents plentiful opportunities to meet neighbors, cultivate friendships, and enjoy a vibrant social life. For some, these activities are more than recreation - they are a core part of the feeling of belonging that makes Sugarloaf feel like home.

The emotional and personal dimensions of living at Sugarloaf surface alongside these positives. One resident recounts the kindness and patience shown by Janice during a difficult personal period after the death of a spouse, emphasizing that the support she received helped them feel understood and valued during incredibly challenging times. The reviews convey an overall sense of a community that fosters real human connections, where staff members are seen as partners in residents' journeys. However, not every experience is perfect. One family reported an issue with mold in their-mother-in-law's unit, and described the management's response as lacking in empathy, suggesting that the situation required more thoughtful handling. Such voices remind readers that, while the community is widely praised for its warmth and competence, there are operational and health-safety concerns that need ongoing attention.

Policy, security, and financial realities also enter the conversation. A reviewer notes Sugarloaf's role in helping residents navigate policies around assisted living and pet considerations, particularly in relation to the ESA framework vs a 35-pound pet weight limit. This kind of practical guidance seems to be one of the strengths residents value in their interactions with staff like Janice. On the financial side, there are occasional reminders of the realities of renting in a senior community, including a mention that rent increases are part of the experience, with one resident noting a planned increase when their lease renews. Waiting lists and referrals to other Hearthside locations appear as part of the broader picture of senior housing options, indicating that Sugarloaf functions within a network of communities where staff work to connect residents with the best possible opportunities.

Taken together, the stories about Hearthside Sugarloaf create a portrait of a community that is widely cherished for its beauty, safety, and especially its people. Residents consistently commend the staff's professionalism, kindness, and hands-on care - from the leasing and front-office team to the maintenance crew - while also enjoying a rich tapestry of social activities and a location that makes daily life convenient and comfortable. There are, nevertheless, legitimate concerns to address: some operational issues with gate access, security questions about building doors, and the mold incident that call for ongoing attention and more empathetic handling. Yet even with these challenges, many residents describe Sugarloaf as "home," a place where they have built friendships, found supportive staff, and experienced a sense of security and belonging that many believe is hard to achieve in other communities. For those seeking a senior, active lifestyle in a well-kept environment with a friendly, responsive team, Hearthside Sugarloaf is repeatedly recommended as a top choice.

This part of Lawrenceville, Georgia, offers a variety of amenities for seniors looking to settle in the area. With several medical facilities nearby including Southern Dermatology and Lawrenceville Family Practice, as well as pharmacies like CVS and Walmart Pharmacy, healthcare needs are easily accessible. In terms of recreation, there are multiple theaters such as AMC Sugarloaf Mills 18 and plenty of dining options such as Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen and Chick-Fil-A. Parks like McKendree Park and McDaniel Farm Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities. Additionally, places of worship like First Baptist Church-Duluth offer spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this area provides a convenient and comfortable environment for seniors looking to live in Lawrenceville.

Physicians

• Southern Dermatology (0.4 miles)
• Family Medical Clinic (2 miles)
• Woolfson Eye Institute (2.2 miles)
• Lawrenceville Family Practice (2.7 miles)
• Hyox Medical Treatment Center (3.3 miles)
• Southern Gastroenterology Associates (3.3 miles)
• Resurgens Orthopaedics (3.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.9 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)

Theaters

• Amc Sugarloaf Mills 18 (0.8 miles)
• AMC Colonial 18 (3.1 miles)
• SMG Duluth (4.1 miles)
• AMC Classic Snellville 12 (7.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen (1 miles)
• Atlanta IceForum (1.2 miles)
• Burger King (1.5 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (1.5 miles)
• Bruster's Ice Cream (2.7 miles)
• Paris Baguette (3.4 miles)
• McDonald's (3.5 miles)

Parks

• McKendree Park (1.8 miles)
• Sweet Water Park (2.3 miles)
• McDaniel Farm Park (3.2 miles)
• Shorty Howell Park (4.4 miles)
• Suwanee Creek Park (4.6 miles)
• Rhodes Jordan Park (5.1 miles)
• Alexander Park (5.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Ding Tea (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Wound Treatment Center at Northside Hospital Gwinnett (3.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church-Duluth (3.5 miles)
• First United Methodist Church of Lawrenceville (4.5 miles)
• 12Stone Church - Central Campus (4.9 miles)