Bristol at Buckingham in Richardson, TX

Pros

• The new management is keeping up the property and improving conditions for visits from family and friends.
• The new receptionist is kind and a nice person.
• Fresh paint and attentive staff enhance the property.
• The leasing staff, including Mark and Fabiola, are friendly and helpful.
• The grounds are well kept and convenient for seniors.
• The property is upscale and well maintained, with a professional and friendly staff.
• The community provides transportation to appointments and outings via a shuttle.
• Residents enjoy the amenities, including a daily breakfast and a coffee bar.

Cons

• The previous receptionist was incredibly rude.
• The staff is horrible and rude.
• Guests and medical staff must obtain a parking pass online or risk towing.
• There is little to no communication from staff; they never answer the phone.
• Renovations have dragged on for months and are very loud.
• There are lots of homeless people roaming the complex.
• The staff seem more interested in a fresh paint job than in keeping the property clean, safe, and quiet for seniors.
• The pool hours are frequently ignored, with the facility locked and no notification.
• Smokers in the halls create an unpleasant odor, and the elevator reeked.
• The complex denied an applicant after a stressful application process, seeming like a scam.
• This has been the absolute worst apartment they've lived in.
• Maintenance requests sometimes get lost and take days to resolve.

Review

Bristol at Buckingham in Richardson, TX is best suited for active seniors who want a centralized, amenity-rich independent living option with easy access to groceries, medical services, and social opportunities. The community earns its strongest value from on-site conveniences and a robust activity calendar: a coffee bar, beauty salon, movie theater, and frequent outings via a shuttle bus, all of which help residents stay engaged without leaving the property. For those who prize proximity to everyday services and a built-in social scene, this environment can be genuinely rewarding. It works best when there is stable management and clear communication, because that combination unlocks the benefits of the location and the lifestyle.

Those who should consider alternatives are individuals or families who place a premium on consistently courteous service, strict visitor and parking controls, and highly reliable maintenance responsiveness. Several reviews point to ongoing friction around front-desk attitudes, inconsistent office accessibility, and aggressive parking/towing policies that can deter visits from family and caregivers. Prospective residents who require a consistently quiet, controlled environment - free from construction noise, frequent non-resident activity, or unpredictable staffing - may find other communities with tighter gatekeeping, more predictable maintenance, and steadier management a better fit. In short, this isn't the best match for someone who cannot tolerate recurring administrative bumps or a dynamic resident mix.

The core positives - location, on-site amenities, and transportation - often offset many frustrations when management is steady and staff are customer-focused. The newest feedback highlights a shift toward improved property upkeep and friendlier front-desk service, and several residents praise the refreshed interiors and the willingness of staff to help with daily needs. The on-site shuttle, nearby shopping, and scheduled activities provide meaningful quality-of-life benefits that reduce reliance on private transportation and support a social, engaged senior lifestyle. When these advantages align with reliable communications and predictable operations, the overall experience becomes notably compelling.

However, the most persistent drawbacks still visible in multiple reviews center on communication gaps, staffing turnover, and parking/visitor policies that feel overly punitive or opaque. Instances of unreturned calls, difficulty reaching someone in the office, and a history of costly towing create real friction for families trying to visit or coordinate care. Maintenance responsiveness can be inconsistent, with some residents reporting timely responses and others recounting delays or miscommunications about repairs. These contrasts matter because they color daily life far beyond the surface appeal of club rooms and common spaces. The fear of noise from ongoing renovations and the presence of non-resident traffic add to a sense of unpredictability.

Management transition appears to be a decisive inflection point. The narrative oscillates between old, highly criticized front-desk behavior and a newer, more welcoming approach from staff who are described as courteous and helpful. A resident noting a rude past experience contrasted with praise for a current front desk team and new leadership underscores how quickly the resident experience can swing with a management shift. The takeaway is practical: verify who is running the property now and observe how the team handles a visit, a service request, and a parking issue during a tour. A stable, responsive management team is what converts the appealing setting into a consistently positive lived experience.

For families weighing this community, the decision hinges on risk tolerance and expectations around day-to-day operations. Bristol at Buckingham can be a solid choice for those who want rich on-site amenities, a strong social ecosystem, and convenient access to everyday needs, provided that current management demonstrates steady, attentive service and transparent communication. It may not be the best fit for those who require rigid enforcement, predictable quiet, and flawless maintenance responsiveness every day, or for those who must manage frequent accessibility hurdles or parking disputes as a routine part of living there. Prospects should visit at different times, discuss current parking and guest policies, and speak candidly with several residents about response times and staff reliability before committing. In the right hands, this community can deliver a lively, connected retirement; in other hands, the same mix can feel inconsistent and stressful.

This part of Richardson, Texas offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for seniors considering the area for living. With several pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS nearby, access to medication and healthcare supplies is easily accessible. There are also various dining options such as Pappasito's Cantina, Waffle O’licious, and Guitars & Growlers, providing a variety of culinary experiences. For entertainment, there are theaters like Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and transportation options including the Arapaho Center Station for easy mobility. Additionally, there are reputable medical facilities such as Baylor Medical Plaza and Eminent Medical Center in close proximity for any healthcare needs. Places of worship like Episcopal Church Of The Transfiguration and Northway Christian Church offer spiritual support, while parks like R.P Brooks Park provide opportunities for outdoor activities and relaxation. Overall, this area combines convenience, healthcare accessibility, dining options, entertainment venues, religious institutions, and green spaces to create a well-rounded community for senior living in Richardson.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.8 miles)
• Walgreens (3.1 miles)
• Abrams Royal Pharmacy (3.2 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Pappasito's Cantina (1.1 miles)
• Waffle O’licious (1.5 miles)
• Braum's (2.4 miles)
• Torchy’S Tacos (2.8 miles)
• McDonald's (2.8 miles)
• Guitars & Growlers (3 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (3.4 miles)

Theaters

• Alamo Drafthouse Cinema (1.3 miles)
• Alamo Drafthouse Lake Highlands (4.9 miles)
• AMC Theater Northpark (5.5 miles)

Transportation

• Arapaho Center Station (1.9 miles)
• Park Lane Station (5.1 miles)

Physicians

• Eye Care Associates (3.6 miles)
• Baylor Medical Plaza (4.7 miles)
• Eminent Medical Center (4.8 miles)
• Pediatric Associates of Dallas (4.8 miles)
• Elizabeth Jekot Breast Imaging Center (5.5 miles)
• The ENT & Allergy Centers of Texas (6.4 miles)
• Eye 2 Eye Vision (6.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Episcopal Church Of The Transfiguration (3.8 miles)
• Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church (5.7 miles)
• Redeemer Bible Church (5.9 miles)
• Temple Emanu-El (6 miles)
• Northway Christian Church (6 miles)
• Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church (6 miles)
• Ridge Pointe Fellowship (7.1 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (4.1 miles)
• Starbucks (5.4 miles)
• Starbucks (5.6 miles)
• Mimi's Star Cafe (6.6 miles)
• Red Truck Cafe (7.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas (4.4 miles)
• The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano (6.7 miles)
• Baylor Scott & White Medical Center (7.1 miles)

Parks

• R.P Brooks Park (4.5 miles)
• Lochwood Park (5.8 miles)
• Addison Circle Park (6.3 miles)