Freedom Village in Paterson, NJ

Pros

• It is a very nice place with kind and professional management.
• It features a fitness room and a laundry room on each floor with working washers and dryers.
• It includes a pool table on one floor, lounges on each floor, and a library.
• It is a gated community with secure parking spaces and is described as the best senior complex in Passaic County.
• A staff member was very welcoming, nice, and answered all questions.

Cons

• The office is not nice to the elder.
• They never fixed the cracked countertop after dad moved in.
• The office was terrible when it came to tenant complaints.
• They charge seniors for light bulbs, and when the key fob doesn't work they do nothing about it.
• They say it's corporate.
• They gave dad partial reimbursement.
• The pastor engages in inappropriate relationships with some of his students.
• They do wrong to the seniors, and the establishment should not be trusted.

Review

Freedom Village in Paterson is best suited for seniors who want a self-contained, security-conscious community with plentiful on-site amenities and ample social opportunities. The building profile reads as a campus: a fitness room, laundry facilities on every floor, multiple lounges, a pool table, and a library, all set behind gated entry with secure parking. For residents who prize daily convenience, predictable social programming, and the comfort of a contained environment, this setting can deliver a vibrant, neighborly experience. The appeal lies in what the campus offers in terms of movement, connection, and safety, making it attractive to those who value an active lifestyle within a contained footprint.

Those evaluating options should consider alternatives if the priority is consistently reliable customer service, transparent and fair billing, and a management team that demonstrates steady, respectful responsiveness. Reviews show a sharp split in experiences with staff and leadership: some praise kind management, while others describe the office as dismissive toward elders and unhelpful on tenant complaints. The divergence in interpersonal interactions, plus concerns about repairs and cost practices, signals that this community can feel either accommodating or opaque, depending on who you interact with. Families prioritizing consistent, courteous service and straightforward financials may find more predictable options elsewhere.

The strongest positives - security, social connections, and abundant on-site activity - do count for a lot when weighed against the downsides. Residents repeatedly note a clean, secure environment with the potential for meaningful friendships and easy access to amenities without leaving the campus. The social fabric appears to be a real plus, particularly for those who thrive on neighborly interaction and regular activities without the need to shuttle across town. In a community where daily life revolves around common spaces and shared programs, these elements can meaningfully offset occasional missteps in management, as long as interactions stay constructive and resident concerns are acknowledged in a timely way.

Yet the principal drawbacks cannot be dismissed. Several reviews flag inconsistent or unfriendly office staff, including allegations of rude reception and a pattern of not addressing tenant complaints promptly. Maintenance issues and policy questions - such as charges for light bulbs and problems with key fob functionality - underscore a sense of friction between residents and a centralized corporate approach. Move-out settlements add another layer of tension, with claims of incomplete reimbursements or disputes over conditions. Taken together, these concerns erode trust in daily operations and create a climate where residents must be vigilant about their own care, billing, and follow-through.

Residents would do well to actively vet the management approach before moving in. Ask for current service-level expectations on maintenance requests, a transparent, itemized policy on minor household charges, and a clear process for move-out reconciliations. Request opportunities to meet current residents and observe how staff respond to questions on a busy day. Inquire about changes in leadership or policy that might affect day-to-day life, and seek concrete examples of how concerns are resolved. A trial stay or recent resident references can illuminate whether the promised amenities translate into reliable, respectful everyday experiences.

In the end, Freedom Village offers a compelling package for those who value a bustling, security-forward community with built-in social life and convenient amenities. The decision hinges on whether management reliability and transparent, fair handling of tenant needs can be trusted to match the strong lifestyle advantages. For families and seniors who cannot tolerate inconsistent service, opaque billing, or uneven staff courtesy, alternatives that emphasize steady resident advocacy and predictable operations will likely serve better. For others, the combination of security, companionship, and activity may justify the trade-offs, provided a thorough due-diligence process confirms that leadership has aligned with resident needs and expectations.

This part of Paterson, New Jersey, offers a diverse range of amenities within close proximity. With multiple healthcare options nearby such as the Paterson Community Health Center and St Joseph's Regional Medical Center, seniors can easily access medical care when needed. There are also various parks like the picturesque Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park and Saddle River County Park for leisurely outdoor activities. In terms of dining options, there are several restaurants and cafes to choose from, including La Ziza and Starbucks. Transportation is convenient with NJ Transit stations nearby for easy access to surrounding areas. Additionally, there are places of worship for spiritual fulfillment and pharmacies for medication needs. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for senior living with a mix of healthcare services, recreational facilities, dining options, transportation accessibility, religious institutions, and entertainment venues like theaters.

Physicians

• Paterson Community Health Center (0.3 miles)
• Christian Health Care Center () (4.1 miles)
• Retina Associates of New Jersey PA (5.3 miles)
• Dr Mondana S. Yazdi, MD (6.2 miles)
• Costello Oral Surgery Associates (7.1 miles)
• Summit Medical Group (7.9 miles)

Parks

• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park (0.9 miles)
• Saddle River County Park - Dunkerhook Area (3.9 miles)
• Saddle River County Park (4 miles)
• Rutherford Memorial Park (6 miles)
• Van Saun County Park (6 miles)
• Anderson Park (6.1 miles)
• Edgemont Memorial Park (6.9 miles)

Hospitals

• St Joseph's Regional Medical Center (1.4 miles)
• The Valley Hospital (5.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.3 miles)
• Walgreens (3.6 miles)

Transportation

• NJT - Hawthorne Station (1.5 miles)
• NJT - Waldwick Station (6.6 miles)
• NJT - Watchung Station (6.8 miles)
• IHA Arbor Road Bus Stop (7.1 miles)

Restaurants

• La Ziza (2.4 miles)
• Sportsmans' Tavern (4.1 miles)
• McDonald's (4.1 miles)
• Van Dyke Ice Cream (4.3 miles)
• Maggies Town Tavern (4.6 miles)
• The Capital Grille (4.8 miles)
• Suburban Diner (5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.2 miles)
• Willow & Whisk (6.2 miles)
• Starbucks (6.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Community Church Of Glen Rock (3.5 miles)
• Clifton Blue Mosque (3.5 miles)
• All Saints Episcopal Church (3.6 miles)
• Hawthorne Gospel Church (3.7 miles)
• Immaculate Heart Of Mary School (4.8 miles)
• Bais Torah U'tefilah (5.2 miles)
• Ahavas Israel (5.5 miles)

Theaters

• Dreamscape at AMC Garden State Plaza (4.7 miles)
• Cinemark (5.6 miles)
• AMC Clifton Commons 16 (6.6 miles)
• AMC DINE-IN Shops At Riverside 9 (7.2 miles)