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The Woods At Merrimack Retirement Community in Methuen, MA

The Woods At Merrimack Retirement Community is an independent living community in Methuen, MA.

Information last verified: December 26, 2025

197 Howe Street, Methuen, MA 01844

For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318

4.5 from 24 reviews

5 stars

17

4 stars

3

3 stars

4

2 stars

0

1 stars

0

The Woods At Merrimack Retirement Community Costs & Pricing

The Woods At Merrimack Retirement Community offers competitive monthly rates for its residents, particularly when compared to the larger Essex County and Massachusetts averages. For a one-bedroom unit, the community charges $3,000 per month, which is significantly lower than both the county average of $5,514 and the state average of $5,349. Similarly, the two-bedroom option at The Woods is priced at $5,200 - again more affordable than Essex County's average of $6,078 and Massachusetts's state average of $6,151. These cost advantages make The Woods At Merrimack an attractive option for seniors seeking quality living arrangements in a supportive environment while enjoying substantial savings compared to regional norms.

Floor plans	The Woods At Merrimack Retirement Community	Essex County	Massachusetts
1 Bedroom	$3,000	$5,514	$5,349
2 Bedrooms	$5,200	$6,078	$6,151

Overall Review of The Woods At Merrimack Retirement Community

common 12 reviews mention this

Dining is a mixed experience

Meals and dining get both strong praise and specific complaints.

Many residents and family members say the food is a deciding factor, and several describe it as something their loved one really enjoys. At the same time, multiple reviews mention problems with dining flow and meal quality, including long waits, disorganized service, and meals not always being the right temperature. Some people also call out staffing being too light during mealtimes and say certain items can be repetitive or overcooked. Overall, residents describe restaurant-style dining and flexible meal timing, but the dining experience isn’t consistent across reviews.

common 8 reviews mention this

Clean, modern facility stands out

Residents frequently describe the building as very clean and new.

Cleanliness is a recurring point: several reviews describe the facility as immaculate, state-of-the-art, and very clean. A few residents also mention the apartments feeling modern and well set up, and others comment on the grounds being well maintained. A couple of reviews still note cleaning gaps, including dust or issues with a shower area. Even with those complaints, most feedback ties the community to a fresh, well-kept feel.

common 11 reviews mention this

Helpful staff supports transitions

Staff support and responsiveness are a frequent highlight.

Across reviews, residents and families describe staff as friendly, helpful, and engaged—especially during move-in and day-to-day check-ins. Several note management being hands-on and accommodating when questions or resident preferences come up. Maintenance and caregiving support also come through in the feedback as being responsive to needs. While there are dining and cleaning concerns in some reviews, the staff experience itself is consistently described as positive.

common 10 reviews mention this

Activities keep residents engaged

Reviews describe plenty of programming, with a few misses.

Many residents and families say there are lots of activities and that programming helps their loved one socialize and stay engaged. Specific examples mentioned include bingo and group gatherings, and some describe entertainment options like movie screenings. A few reviews, however, question whether the community’s activity calendar is as varied or age-appropriate as advertised, including a review that says an activity mentioned during the sales process never showed up. There’s also feedback asking for better use of outdoor space for activities.

common 6 reviews mention this

Value is a strong point

Families often describe the community as more affordable than alternatives.

Price and value come up repeatedly: some families say it’s an affordable independent living option compared with other places they looked at. Others acknowledge it’s still expensive, but say it costs less than alternatives with fewer activities. One review explicitly compares it favorably on value for money, while another is critical that they feel the cost doesn’t match the dining experience they observed. Overall, reviews suggest affordability is a major reason people choose the community, but experiences with meals influence perceptions of value.

caveat 3 reviews mention this

Independent living may not fit

Some reviews suggest it may not work for residents needing more care.

Several reviews frame the move as independent living rather than a nursing-home style setup, which can be a mismatch for families expecting a broader care team. One review notes there is no care team, and another says their loved one needed more care than the community was able to provide. A separate review also questions whether the community offers enough day-to-day activities for residents who are expecting more support. For buyers, reviews point to double-checking care expectations and day-to-day programming fit before moving in.

differentiator 4 reviews mention this

Close to shops and care

Residents like the convenient location near everyday needs.

A few reviews highlight the community’s location as convenient for getting to shops and medical facilities, with one also calling it quiet and scenic. Families also mention being close by in practical terms, which helped with the transition. The surrounding area includes nearby restaurants, pharmacies, and physician offices, which supports that “close to” feel that shows up in the reviews.

How we summarize

Counts show how many written reviews mention each theme; a review can touch several themes, and only frequently mentioned themes become a section.

Features

Housing

21 resident community capacity

Types of Care

Independent Living

Pets

Cats allowed
Dogs allowed

Amenities

Activities off-site
Activities on-site
Air-conditioning
Beautician on-site
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Dining room
Full kitchen
Fully furnished
Garden
Handicap accessible
Housekeeping services
Indoor common areas
Kitchenette
Located close to restaurants
Located close to shopping centers
Move-in coordination
Outdoor common areas
Outdoor patio
Outdoor space
Pet friendly
Private bathrooms
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Spa
Telephone
Wellness center
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available

Transportation

Manchester (18 miles away)
Community operated transportation
Transportation arrangement (non-medical)

Care Services

24-hour call system
24-hour supervision
Coordination with health care providers
Dementia waiver
Hospice waiver
Meal preparation and service
Mental wellness program
Specialized memory care programming
Transportation arrangement (medical)
Transportation to doctors appointments

Dining

Anytime dining
Diabetes diet
Guest meals
International cuisine
Professional chef
Restaurant style dining
Special dietary restrictions

Activities

Art classes
Brain fitness
Community-sponsored activities
Concierge services
Cooking classes
Day trips and outings
Educational speakers / life long learning
Fitness programs
Happy hour
Karaoke
Live dance or theater performances
Live musical performances
Live well programs
Planned day trips
Resident-run activities
Scheduled daily activities
Stretching classes
Yoga / chair yoga

Nearby Places of Interest

This part of Methuen, Massachusetts offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With multiple restaurants such as The Loop, Chick-Fil-A, and T-Bones Great American Eatery within a short distance, residents have plenty of dining options to choose from. Access to pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens ensures easy access to medications and healthcare needs. There are also several physicians' offices nearby, including Pleasant Valley Internists PC and Vascular and Vein Associates for medical care. In terms of entertainment, theaters like 2660 Amc Bar Methuen 2 provide opportunities for leisure activities. Additionally, the area boasts proximity to hospitals such as Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital and Lawrence General Hospital for any medical emergencies. For outdoor recreation, parks like Griffin Park offer green spaces for relaxation and enjoyment. Overall, this neighborhood in Methuen provides a well-rounded community with essential services and conveniences for senior residents.

Restaurants

The Loop (0.9 miles)
Chick-Fil-A (1 miles)
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen (1.6 miles)
T-Bones Great American Eatery (2.1 miles)
Sahara Club & Restaurant (2.1 miles)
Tokyo Japanese Steakhouse (2.1 miles)
McDonald's (2.4 miles)

Theaters

2660 Amc Bar Methuen 2 (0.9 miles)

Pharmacies

CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (2.1 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
Neighborhood Health Mart Pharmacy (2.5 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
Walgreens (3 miles)
CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Physicians

Pleasant Valley Internists PC (1.9 miles)
Vascular and Vein Associates (2.1 miles)
SMG New England Cardiology of Lawrence (3.5 miles)
Dr Josef And Dr Michael Gendlerman's Office (3.7 miles)
Northeast Urologic Surgery PC (3.9 miles)
Dana Farber Cancer Institute (3.9 miles)
Primary Care of Southern Nh (4 miles)

Hospitals

Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital (2.7 miles)
Lawrence General Hospital (3.2 miles)
Whittier Pavilion (5.2 miles)
St Joseph Hospital Ob-Gyn Windham (5.9 miles)
Merrimack Valley Hospital (6.4 miles)

Cafes

Duffy's Diner (3.1 miles)
Starbucks (3.4 miles)
Heav'nly Donuts (3.9 miles)
Starbucks (4.7 miles)
Starbucks (5.1 miles)
Panera Bread (5.8 miles)
Heav'nly Donuts (6 miles)

Transportation

Lawrence Municipal Airport (LWM) (3.8 miles)

Places of Worship

La Iglesia De Jesucristo De Los Santos De Los Últimos Días (3.9 miles)

Parks

Griffin Park (6 miles)
Ward Reservation (8.2 miles)

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to live at The Woods At Merrimack Retirement Community in Methuen, MA?

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