Ken-Ton Presbyterian Village in Buffalo, NY

Pros

• The staff here are of excellent quality.
• The apartments are not bad at all and often a perfect fit.
• Long-term residents have enjoyed living here for years.
• The outdoor areas are clean and well-kept, and the interiors smell pleasant.
• The staff are easily accessible, friendly, and contribute to a good atmosphere.
• It is a great place to live with very caring residents.

Cons

• The staff are two-faced, nothing is included, rents rise at least three times a year, they won’t help residents, they enter units without notice, and things go missing.
• Rents are raised with little notice or rationale, and the office staff foster a culture of fear among residents.
• A family member died while living there and was charged for services (food, laundry, cleaning) that were never received.
• Families were told to vacate within two weeks and were later billed for those two weeks.
• One reviewer warned the place is so bad it’s like a place to die, advising others to run.

Review

Ken-Ton Presbyterian Village in Buffalo is best suited for seniors who want a practical, neighborly community with reliable staff, comfortable apartments, and a straightforward daily routine. The setting appeals to residents who value a clean, well-cared-for environment and a friendly, accessible atmosphere. Long-term residents and their families repeatedly note that the apartments are pleasant and the grounds and interiors stay tidy and welcoming, contributing to a sense of stability. For someone who prioritizes a livable, social micro-community over cutting-edge amenities, this village often feels like the right fit.

On the positive side, the standout strength is the quality of the staff. Several reviews describe staff as excellent and genuinely caring, with residents and families praising the atmosphere as friendly and easy to navigate. The apartments themselves, while not lavish, are described as comfortable and functional, and the overall environment reads as welcoming, with easy accessibility and a culture of neighborliness. A handful of residents have trusted this community for years, and there are stories of relatives who formed lasting, positive attachments, underscoring a consistent level of personal attention and a stable social fabric.

Yet the most consequential headwinds are financial and procedural. The most persistent concerns center on rising costs and what those costs cover. Reviews repeatedly flag rent increases that occur with little notice, paired with the sense that the package of inclusions is limited. Some family members report being charged for services (like food, laundry, or cleaning) after a resident has died, a distressing and hard-to-justify impression that clouds otherwise favorable impressions. There are also reports of entry without notice, items going missing, and a perceived lack of proactive support from office staff when issues arise. Taken together, these themes create a tension between a strong living environment and an impression of financial and administrative unpredictability.

Those pros do offset some of the cons, but only for a subset of families. For residents who prize personal warmth from staff, a neighborly milieu, and a clean, comfortable living space, the daily experience can justify some cost and control trade-offs. The sense that “care-worthy” staff and a pleasant atmosphere exist is real, and it can soften concerns about the physical layout or routine activities. However, when budgeting becomes opaque and charges feel reactive or burdensome, the advantages begin to pale. The contrast between a genuinely supportive staff in a well-maintained setting and the perception of ongoing financial pressure is the deciding factor for many families.

This is not a place for everyone. If pricing is non-negotiable, or if a transparent, all-inclusive model with predictable monthly bills is essential, alternatives should be explored. Families who require strict privacy, consistent billing practices, and clear assurances about what is included in the rent will likely find the reported issues about sudden increases, unexpected charges, and intrusive routines deterrents. Potential residents should weigh the value of a caring staff and a comfortable apartment against the risk of escalating costs and contingent services, and consider whether the culture of accountability and communications aligns with their expectations.

Bottom line: Ken-Ton Presbyterian Village offers a solid, people-centered living experience with strong staff and a pleasant, accessible environment. For seniors who can absorb occasional price swings and are comfortable with the level of inclusions, it can be a good match. For families prioritizing predictable pricing, transparent billing, and rigorous privacy standards, alternatives may be wiser. Prospective residents should demand a detailed, current breakdown of what is included, ask for a binding rate structure, and engage current residents in conversations about day-to-day operations before making a commitment.

This area of Buffalo, New York, offers a convenient and vibrant community for seniors looking to settle down. With a variety of dining options ranging from cozy cafes like Starbucks to popular Italian restaurants like Carrabba's Italian Grill, there are plenty of choices for enjoying delicious meals close by. Additionally, pharmacies such as Walgreens and CVS are easily accessible for any medical needs. For healthcare services, there are several physicians' offices nearby like Kenmore Family Medicine and Northtowns Medical Group PC. The area also boasts beautiful parks such as Ellicott Creek Park and Beaver Island State Park for leisurely walks and outdoor activities. In terms of healthcare facilities, Degraff Memorial Hospital is located within a short distance for any medical emergencies. For entertainment, AMC Maple Ridge 8 theater is close by for movie nights. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment with amenities that cater to the needs and interests of senior residents.

Restaurants

• Gray's Place (0.1 miles)
• Sinatra's Restaurant (2.1 miles)
• McDonald's (2.3 miles)
• Dwyers Irish Pub (2.6 miles)
• The Foundry Lounge (2.9 miles)
• IHOP (3 miles)
• Carrabba's Italian Grill (3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.8 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)

Physicians

• Kenmore Family Medicine (0.7 miles)
• Northtowns Medical Group PC (1 miles)
• Primary Care Of WNY Primary Care Of Western New York Kenmore (1.8 miles)
• Dr. Mark Rodman (2.9 miles)
• Amherst Medical Associates (2.9 miles)
• Fichte Endl & Elmer Eyecare (4.1 miles)
• 50 Gate Circle (4.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (2.9 miles)
• Tim Hortons (3.3 miles)
• Wegmans Food Markets (3.3 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.1 miles)
• Tim Hortons (4.1 miles)

Parks

• North Tonawanda Gateway Park (2.5 miles)
• Ellicott Creek Park (3.5 miles)
• Beaver Island State Park (5.1 miles)
• South Long Park (6.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Degraff Memorial Hospital (2.8 miles)
• Erie County Medical Center (4.7 miles)
• John R Oishei Children's Hospital (5.9 miles)
• Roswell Park Cancer Institute (6 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Maple Ridge 8 (3.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Newman Center at UB (4.5 miles)