New Forest Estates Independent Living

Pros

• The community is warm and welcoming.
• The staff consistently go above and beyond for residents.
• Residents and families can see that people are having fun and living their best lives.
• Staff members - from the director to the med techs - are nice and helpful.
• The facility is clean and offers around-the-clock updates to families.
• The staff's warmth and dedication are evident at events.
• Events are thoughtfully planned and filled with joy, showing care for residents and families.
• Alexis is praised for being exceptionally nice and patient.
• The front desk and dining room staff are friendly and seem to enjoy their work.
• The Bistro area is welcoming and well-decorated.
• Studio-sized apartments are roomy and not cramped.

Cons

• They described it as the worst place ever, citing bugs, fall hazards for the elderly, and overpriced rates.
• They reported a roach infestation described as disgusting.
• They warned that five-star reviews may be fake or outdated, written by staff or from years ago.
• They noted the front desk is friendly but not knowledgeable and fails to resolve issues.
• They criticized the dining: over-processed, often served cold, lacking fresh fruit, and frequently running out of food and beverages.
• They stated residents are charged for meals even if they don't eat in the dining room, with repetitive menus and small portions.
• They described heat hazards at outdoor events that caused heat exhaustion.
• They claimed the washing machines are never cleaned.

Review

The reviews paint a wide, sometimes jarring, portrait of life in senior living communities. On one end of the spectrum, there are countless expressions of warmth, gratitude, and relief. Families and residents repeatedly describe staff who "go above and beyond," a facility that feels like a welcoming home, and an environment where residents seem to be genuinely enjoying life. Several speakers note that they can reach someone at the facility at any time - "call 24 hours a day to check on my loved one" - and they emphasize how clean and well-kept the spaces feel. The sentiment of being cared for shines through in phrases like "the staff cares for the residents," and in the consistent praise directed at specific individuals, with Alexis singled out as "the best" for her kindness, patience, and personal warmth. There's also appreciation for the social fabric: well-planned events, a friendly front desk, a nicely decorated Bistro, and a sense that every gathering is designed to make residents and families feel included and valued. Across multiple anecdotes, the staff are repeatedly described as kind, patient, and attentive, and in several accounts this is the strongest, most memorable impression.

In several positive reviews, the human element stands out as the defining feature of a good experience. Families speak of staff who notice small gestures, remember personal preferences, and consistently greet residents with respect and care. The sense of community is reinforced by tangible services: clean facilities, accessible communication with caregivers, and opportunities for engagement through events and activities. One reviewer notes that even when speaking about routine interactions - like the front desk or dining staff - the impression is that the people there genuinely enjoy their work and take pride in it. For loved ones with complex needs, this combination of accessibility and warmth is repeatedly described as a relief and a comfort.

But the collection of experiences is not monolithic. A substantial portion of the comments veers toward serious concerns and concrete complaints that contrast sharply with the glowing profiles. The most frequent alarm bells are pests and safety hazards: roach infestations, which some residents describe in emphatic terms, and complaints about pathways that could present a fall risk for the elderly. Several reviewers accuse facilities of being overpriced for what is delivered, or of using amenities as a lure while performance fails to meet basic expectations. Some accounts even imply that certain 5-star reviews may not reflect current conditions, suggesting that some praise is either ancient or possibly generated by staff. This undercurrent of skepticism sits alongside the more effusive testimonials.

Food and dining emerge as a particularly fraught area in many critiques. Reports describe menus that rely on processed items, with food often served cold and lacking in fresh fruit or variety. Complaints include limited beverage options and frequent shortages: "no tea, no butter, no bread, no coffee," and an overall tendency for meals to be small in portion and repetitive - lunch and dinner offering similar options, with occasional ? la carte choices that depend on what is being prepared that day. Some residents are charged for meals even if they don't eat in the dining room, and others note that the kitchen can feel leaderless or under-resourced, with meals and service inconsistent from day to day. These concerns underscore a tension between the ideal of ample, nourishing meals and the lived reality many residents encounter.

Another set of reviews focuses on facility infrastructure and management practices. Some describe buildings that feel dated and in need of updating, with particular frustration about the lack of covered walkways between buildings, requiring outdoor crossings to move around. There are also complaints about basic housekeeping and maintenance being minimal, with aging interiors, safety hazards, and a sense that attention to detail falls short of expectations. On occasion, the criticism becomes more personal and dramatic: incidents where important documents or belongings were mishandled or discarded by staff, which understandably heighten distrust and concern among families. In some entries, reviewers note that management changes have altered the atmosphere or the level of care, sometimes positively but other times with ongoing questions about consistency and responsiveness.

New Forest Haven, as one prominent thread in these reviews, serves as a useful case study for the broader themes. Some comments appreciate the friendly demeanor of staff, the presence of amenities like a beauty salon and a chapel, and even the fact that the four-building layout requires outdoor transitions but includes a transportation option for appointments. Others, however, describe the property as old and in need of substantial updating, with cleanliness and safety concerns tied to roach problems, a dated interior, and crosswalks that force residents to traverse outdoor spaces to reach parts of the campus. There are mixed signals about the quality of care as well: a tour guide may be likable, and there are mentions of a caring sales director and supportive front desk staff, but these positives coexist with reports of insufficient kitchen leadership, lackluster dining experiences, and a sense that not all residents are receiving the level of service they expect. One particularly troubling anecdote recounts a staff mishandling of a deceased veteran's documents and belongings - a stark reminder of how fragile trust can be in these settings.

Despite the alarming critiques, the narratives collectively underscore a deeper truth: the quality of senior living experiences varies dramatically from place to place, and even within the same facility, experiences can diverge between residents and families. The most meaningful takeaway is the need for careful, on-the-ground due diligence when choosing a community. Prospective residents and their families are advised to evaluate cleanliness and pest control rigor, safety features and accessibility, the consistency of meal quality and service, and the stability and attentiveness of management and staff. It is also wise to engage with residents directly to gauge the everyday realities of care, ask pointed questions about charges and dietary accommodations, and observe how staff respond to concerns in real time.

In the end, these reviews form a mosaic of care that contains both bright, hopeful notes and sobering cautions. For many families, a warm, responsive staff and a vibrant social life can be a lifeline in a challenging transition. For others, practical realities - pests, safety hazards, inconsistent food service, and questions about governance - can erode trust and alter expectations. The consistent thread across all voices is the importance of transparency, attention to safety and cleanliness, and a genuine commitment to treating residents with dignity and respect. As families navigate these choices, the consensus is clear: visit often, ask hard questions, and look beyond glossy marketing to understand the day-to-day lived experience of those who call these communities home.

This part of San Antonio, Texas, offers a mix of entertainment options, medical facilities, dining choices, outdoor spaces, and convenient amenities. The proximity to theaters like Cinemark San Antonio 16 and Regal Huebner Oaks & RPX provides opportunities for leisure activities. There are several reputable physicians and hospitals nearby, including the Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital and University Hospital Sky Tower, ensuring easy access to quality healthcare services. Additionally, a variety of restaurants like McDonald's, Syrian Kitchen, and Chick-Fil-A cater to different culinary preferences. Parks such as Medical Center Volleyball Courts offer recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. For shopping needs, there are pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy in close vicinity. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded living environment with plenty of conveniences for senior residents to enjoy.

Theaters

• Cinemark San Antonio 16 (0.4 miles)
• Regal Huebner Oaks & RPX (3.7 miles)

Physicians

• 2040 Building (0.6 miles)
• Advanced Pain Relief Institute (1.2 miles)
• Consultants in Pain Management (1.4 miles)
• Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio-Transitional Clinic (1.4 miles)
• Physicians Plaza II (1.5 miles)
• Gastroenterology Consultants of San Antonio (1.8 miles)
• Yesnocovid (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Syrian Kitchen (0.8 miles)
• Whataburger (0.9 miles)
• Ojos Locos Sports Cantina (1.5 miles)
• Babe's Old Fashioned Hamburgers (2.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.2 miles)
• Olive Garden (2.4 miles)

Parks

• Medical Center Volleyball Courts (0.8 miles)
• Woodlawn Lake Park (4.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Audie L. Murphy Memorial VA Hospital (1 miles)
• University Hospital Sky Tower (1.1 miles)
• University Hospital (1.1 miles)
• Methodist Hospital (1.3 miles)
• St Luke's Baptist Hospital (1.4 miles)
• Texsan Heart Hospital (2.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.9 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.2 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (2.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Primera Iglesia Bautista Mexicana-San Antonio (3.3 miles)
• Masjed Beit El Magdes (3.9 miles)
• St George Episcopal School (4.6 miles)

Transportation

• Exit 567/Fredericksburg Rd/E (5.2 miles)