Hickory Ridge II

Pros

• The property finally did the right thing by restoring a smoke-free facility.
• A regional manager helped make the right decision.
• The place is described as very nice.
• Reviewers hope the property returns to how nice it was before the issues.

Cons

• The property was reportedly in violation of federal requirements for a year due to smoking.
• The former property manager should never have allowed smoking.
• The issue was only resolved after the manager left and a regional manager intervened.
• Wilder Balter properties should be avoided because they do not care about tenants.

Review

After a long stretch of uncertainty, the property appears to have finally honored its promise of a smoke-free environment. The latest reflections suggest that, for a year, there were ongoing concerns about whether federal requirements were being followed, accompanied by several tenant complaints. The turn of events has brought a sense of relief that the facility is now aligning with what it's supposed to be: a place that prioritizes a clean, smoke-free atmosphere for residents and guests. The shift is framed not as a minor policy tweak but as a restoration of the core promise the property made to its tenants.

The change in direction seems closely tied to leadership, and a lot of the sentiment centers on the former property manager. It's described in strong terms: the person "should never have allowed smoking." This isn't presented as a vague policy lapse but as a clear failure to uphold a fundamental rule that affected everyone who lived there. The implications went beyond inconvenience, touching on health, comfort, and the trust tenants place in management to enforce critical standards. The narrative implies that the previous approach - being lax on a smoking ban - was a serious misstep that contributed to a broader sense of neglect.

What followed, according to the accounts, is a decisive intervention from higher-level oversight. "It took them leaving and a regional manager to make the right decision," one reviewer notes, signaling that meaningful change required leadership turnover and closer supervision. The new energy from the regional manager is framed as the turning point, the moment when enforcement could be restored and credibility with residents could begin to rebuild. The sense one gets is that the most important ingredients for real improvement were not cosmetic upgrades but structural accountability and consistent application of the policy across the property.

With the policy back on track, there's cautious optimism about returning to what many remember as the "nice place" it was before the upheaval. The reviewer who offered that hopeful sentiment signs off with a prayerful emoji, underscoring a desire to recapture the former comfort, ambiance, and mutual respect that had been interrupted. The tone hints at a place that still has the potential to be welcoming and well-run, provided the current momentum is maintained and tenants feel their concerns are heard and acted upon.

Yet the narrative isn't one-note. There's a stark counterweight from another reviewer who doesn't mince words: "0 stars if possibly. Stay away from any wilder balter properties! They don't give a crap about tenants!!" This voice paints a very different picture, hinting at ongoing management neglect and a bitter history of dissatisfaction. The intensity of the language conveys a deep frustration with what they perceive as a lack of regard for residents' needs and well-being, suggesting a prior pattern of mismanagement that left tenants feeling ignored and undervalued. It serves as a blunt warning to others who might consider residency under the same regime.

Interwoven with these strong opinions is a lighter, more uncertain note: "Very nice place?" A simple, almost casual compliment hints that even within the same property there have been positive experiences or memories of quality when things were going well. It suggests a landscape where impressions can vary widely depending on timing, management presence, and whether the smoke-free enforcement is actually being observed day to day. The juxtaposition of a warm compliment alongside severe criticisms reinforces the sense that the property has potential, but its reputation currently rides on how consistently it enforces policy and how responsive it is to tenant feedback.

Taken together, the collection of reviews sketches a complex portrait of a property in transition. There's acknowledgement that the smoke-free promise is now being honored, and there's hope that the past disruptions won't recur. At the same time, there's a clear warning about past practices and a rallying reminder that effective management matters - tenants deserve not just policies on paper but real, reliable enforcement and genuine care for their well-being. For anyone considering this place, the message is simple: verify the current management's track record, observe how strictly the smoke-free rule is enforced, and listen to what residents say about how responsive those in charge are to complaints. The right leadership can indeed reclaim the best days of the property, but only if that commitment remains consistent in the months ahead.

Hospitals

• Kingston Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Northeast Center For Special Care (5.6 miles)
• Hospital Benedictine (8.6 miles)
• Kingston Hospital (8.6 miles)
• Northern Dutchess Hospital (8.6 miles)
• Bone & Joint Center at Northern Dutchess Hospital (8.6 miles)

Physicians

• WMCHealth (1.4 miles)
• Bridge Street Family Medicine (1.4 miles)
• Bridge Street Medical (1.4 miles)
• Saugerties Wellness Center (3.6 miles)
• Holistic Psychiatry of New York (5.8 miles)
• Broadway Family Care Center (5.9 miles)
• Michael H. Cho, MD (6.4 miles)

Restaurants

• Alleyway Ice Cream (1.4 miles)
• McDonald's (2.1 miles)
• Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts (3.1 miles)
• McDonald's (3.8 miles)
• Jolly Cow (5.7 miles)
• Red Onion (6 miles)
• Wendy's (6.2 miles)

Cafes

• Olsen & Company (1.4 miles)
• All That Java (6.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (6.7 miles)
• Starbucks (6.7 miles)
• Outdated (9.1 miles)
• Village Coffee and Goods (9.1 miles)
• Bread Alone Bakery (9.2 miles)

Pharmacies

• Saugerties Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Village Apothecary (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (6 miles)
• Field Apothecary & Herb Farm (6.5 miles)
• Top's Markets (8.1 miles)

Theaters

• NCG Cinema (6.4 miles)

Transportation

• Kingston Trailways Bus Terminal (9.1 miles)