Robinwood Retirement Ctr

Pros

• It is considered one of the best places to live.
• The reviewer is a strong advocate for seniors' well-being.
• There is a resident-initiated bingo that fosters community engagement.

Cons

• The living space is only a small apartment, offering little room.
• Parking in front by the main entrance is hardly enough.
• Parking on the sides and back requires residents to walk around the building.
• Complaints seem to have little effect on getting issues resolved.
• Residents are not allowed to use the fire doors to move in or out, which is very inconvenient.
• There are garbage dumpsters only on the far side with no recycling available.
• Apartments are repainted only when someone dies or moves; residents must pay for it and live elsewhere during the work (one resident even paid for a hotel and rent).
• Seniors fear asking for fixes due to potential repercussions, and issues take too long to address.
• Windows cannot be opened because the apartments are under rehab, and the rehab process seems slow.

Review

After nine years of living here, the place feels more like a modest apartment complex than a true community. There is a tiny spark of life - a resident-initiated bingo - that occasionally brings a little cheer, but otherwise the social scene feels conspicuously sparse. The building seems to run on routines and inertia rather than a shared sense of neighborhood, leaving many residents with little to look forward to beyond the basics of daily life.

Parking is a constant source of frustration. There simply aren't enough spaces by the main entrance, which means people circle the lot hoping for a spot or choose to park farther away. There are spaces on the sides and at the back, but parking there requires walking around the building - an extra burden for seniors and those with mobility issues. The result is that residents often end up parking in less convenient spots, and some even end up circling the area or taking longer routes just to reach their apartments. It's a logistical hassle that never seems to improve and is felt by nearly everyone who needs a car.

The demographic here skews older, with residents ranging from 65 to well over 90, and many are disabled. Given the age and health profile, it's not surprising that practical concerns abound and that people tend to be vocal about where things fall short. Yet complaints rarely seem to move the needle. There's a sense that the management team is either overwhelmed or unresponsive to everyday problems, which leaves residents feeling stuck and unprotected in a place that should feel secure and supportive.

One policy that compounds the daily inconvenience is the prohibition on using the fire doors for moving in or out. This rule is especially troublesome for those who live a longer distance from the main doors. It used to be possible to enter or exit through a door only a short walk from some residents' apartments, but that doorway is no longer usable. Since taking effect, residents must endure a longer trip to the main entrance, which is not just inconvenient but also impractical for many who have to carry groceries, medications, or mobility aids. It's a small difference in policy with outsized effects on day-to-day life.

Facilities in this complex also feel misaligned with the needs of a senior population. Trash disposal is centralized far from most apartments, with dumpsters placed on the far side of the building and no recycling program in place. The distance to the dumpsters adds to the daily burden of those who are already navigating mobility challenges, and the absence of recycling feels out of step with modern, environmentally conscious living.

Another major issue is the repainting policy. Apartments only get repainted when a resident dies or moves out, and the occupant bears the cost if they are to stay while work is done. The practical consequence is that someone who needs to repaint must relocate temporarily - often to a hotel or another living arrangement - while their space is refreshed. There are stories where a resident ended up paying for a hotel and a full month's rent because they couldn't live in their own unit during the update. It's a harsh reality that underscores how the building's maintenance expectations collide with residents' financial and living situations.

The author describes themselves as a staunch advocate for seniors and their well-being. They note that many residents are afraid to voice concerns or push for timely repairs for fear of repercussions, or simply because the process is so slow that people lose patience. The latest example concerns windows: residents cannot open them to air out their apartments. Management has indicated that the apartments are under "rehab," but there is skepticism about how quickly this will translate into real relief. The situation is presented as an ongoing challenge - worth watching as it unfolds, with the sense that progress, if any, may be measured in months or even longer.

Despite all of these frustrations, there is an undercurrent of appreciation in the narrative. The writer caps the piece with a paradox: this is, in many ways, one of the best places to live. The sentiment hints at the value of the community's core - familiar faces, shared history, and a sense that, despite the problems, there is something worth protecting and improving. It's a nuanced portrait of a senior living experience where challenges are pronounced, but the foundations of a caring, if imperfect, home still exist and deserve attention, effort, and time.

This particular area of Kernersville, North Carolina offers a variety of amenities and services that would be beneficial for seniors looking to relocate to the area. There are several restaurants within a short distance, offering convenient dining options. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies nearby, making it easy to access necessary medications. For recreational activities, there are parks and cafes within close proximity for leisurely outings. The presence of hospitals and physicians in the vicinity ensures access to healthcare services when needed. In terms of entertainment, there are theaters for enjoying movies and cultural events. Overall, this part of Kernersville provides a well-rounded community with essential resources for senior living.

Restaurants

• McDonald's (2.4 miles)
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store (2.6 miles)
• Wise Man Brewing (8.3 miles)
• Mozelle's Fresh Southern Bistro (9 miles)
• Gatsby's Pub (9.1 miles)
• West End Opera House (9.2 miles)
• Ryan's Restaurant (9.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Express Scripts Holding Co. (4.5 miles)
• Walgreens (5.2 miles)
• Walgreens (9.4 miles)
• Walgreens (9.9 miles)
• CVS Revco D.S. (10 miles)
• South Park Family Pharmacy (10.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (10.7 miles)

Parks

• Union Cross Park (5.3 miles)
• Salem Lake Trail (5.5 miles)
• Miller Park (10.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (7.1 miles)
• St John's Lutheran School (10.7 miles)
• Christ United Methodist Church (14.3 miles)

Cafes

• Krankies Coffee (8.1 miles)
• Panera Bread (9.2 miles)
• Starbucks (11.2 miles)
• Starbucks (11.9 miles)
• Starbucks (12 miles)
• Starbucks (12.1 miles)
• Starbucks (13.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Wake Forest Univ Bapt Med Center (9 miles)
• Bethany Cardiology (9 miles)
• WFBH Ardmore Tower (9.7 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Palladium & IMAX (9.5 miles)
• AMC CLASSIC Greensboro 18 (12.9 miles)
• AMC Hanes 12 (13.6 miles)

Physicians

• O'connor John J Cpo (10.1 miles)
• Eagle Family Medicine (11.7 miles)
• Urology Partners (11.7 miles)
• Bethany Medical & Pain Clinic (11.7 miles)
• Center For Clinical Research (11.8 miles)
• Northwest Pediatrics (11.8 miles)
• Orthocarolina (11.9 miles)