Bridgewater Retirement Cmnty

Pros

• The management is described as awesome.
• The nursing units are among the best the reviewer has seen.
• The Custer Dining Room provides a wonderful dining experience.
• The waitress (the reviewer's niece) is outstanding.
• The Custer Room and The Junction offer quiet dining spots.
• It is one of the best places to dine in the Town of Bridgewater.
• The food is delicious, with great people and a wonderful community.
• Residents describe moving to Bridgewater Retirement Community as the best decision, feeling secure and engaged.
• The staff provide high-quality care and help residents stay connected (e.g., Facetime).
• The environment and atmosphere are excellent and mutually supportive.
• The campus is beautiful and walkable, fostering positive, friendly interactions.
• The community feels like a home away from home.

Cons

• lack of diversity
• Other retirement communities lacked things like the complete package of independent, assisted living and nursing.

Review

Bridgewater Retirement Community in the Town of Bridgewater earns its warm reputation through a consistent and multi-faceted display of excellent care, engaging dining experiences, and a living environment that blends ease of access with a lively sense of community. Across several units and services, residents and families alike praise the management for creating a supportive atmosphere that prioritizes both residents and the staff who serve them. The nursing units stand out for their quality of care, and the overarching sense that everyone from administrators to caregivers is working together to maintain high standards is a common thread running through the feedback.

Dining at Bridgewater is a highlight that comes up repeatedly. The Custer Dining Room is described as a premier dining venue within the community, where residents can enjoy quiet, comfortable meals in a setting that feels both pleasant and inviting. One reviewer even spent an evening there with family, noting that the waitress - who happened to be a relative - delivered outstanding service. The Junction is mentioned as another attractive dining option, with reviewers recommending it as a relaxing spot to spend an evening. The overall tone is that the campus offers delicious food, friendly people, and a strong sense of community, making mealtimes a social and enjoyable part of daily life.

The decision to move to Bridgewater Retirement Community often comes after careful planning and consideration of a continuum of care. For many, the move is framed as finding a "forever home" after substantial research - sometimes more than a year and a half - where independence, assisted living, and nursing care are cohesively integrated. The Village experience is highlighted as a welcoming environment, where friendly staff and neighbors make newcomers feel at home from the moment they arrive. The process from initial contact through move-in is described as smooth and reassuring, with the sense that life here offers a secure, ongoing plan for the future and ample opportunities to stay busy with activities.

Location and integration with the surrounding town are frequently cited as major advantages. Bridgewater Retirement Community is praised for being flat and very walkable, with convenient access to the Post Office, stores, and the North River. The nearby Sipes Center and other town amenities contribute to a lively, interconnected lifestyle that makes everyday errands and outings easy and enjoyable. The Town of Bridgewater also offers cultural and recreational opportunities, including a college adjacent to the campus, parks, an ice skating rink, putt-putt golf, and a nine-hole par-3 course. The community is described as a hub within a broader region that includes Harrisonburg and Staunton, both reachable for larger shopping trips, while the campus itself provides weekly van trips for excursions, helping residents stay engaged with the wider world without relying on cars.

Family connections and remote accessibility are important themes for many reviewers. For those who move here from out of state, Bridgewater makes it possible to stay closely connected with loved ones. Staff are credited with helping families connect via FaceTime and other technologies, ensuring that residents remain tied to relatives even when distance is a factor. The intense dedication of staff to assisting with transitions - whether between independent living, assisted living, or nursing care - or merely staying connected with family, is repeatedly highlighted as a strength. The ability to visit a spouse or parent, attend daily activities, and participate in a community where neighbors welcome new residents reinforces the sense of security and belonging.

Like any community, there are a few concerns raised within the reviews. Some comments touch on diversity and inclusivity, noting a lack of diversity as a point of consideration. The social fabric of any retirement community can be a delicate balance, and one reviewer remarked on a perception of exclusivity in certain terms. There is also a practical note about pet policy - small pets are allowed, while there is a controversial line about disabled children - reflecting a nuanced, if imperfect, policy conversation that accompanies many real-world living environments. Another reviewer mentioned the difficulty of navigating certain platforms to leave feedback, underscoring the importance of accessible communication channels for residents and families.

Taken together, Bridgewater Retirement Community presents a compelling portrait of a well-rounded, resident-focused environment. It is described as a beautiful campus that supports a broad spectrum of needs, from independent living through advanced care, all within a setting that emphasizes living well, staying active, and building meaningful relationships. Families repeatedly point to the quality of the staff, the strength of the community, and the sense of safety and fulfillment that comes from choosing Bridgewater as a home. For those weighing retirement options, the testimonials suggest that Bridgewater offers a complete package - excellent care, a vibrant social life, convenient access to town and regional attractions, and a welcoming, forward-looking atmosphere that many families come to see as the ultimate destination for their loved ones.

Pharmacies

• Dickson's Drug Store (0.3 miles)
• Bridgewater Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Williamson Drug Co. (5.4 miles)
• Williamsons Pharmacy (5.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (6 miles)

Restaurants

• The Cracked Pillar Pub (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.4 miles)
• Subway (0.6 miles)
• Rockingham County Fair (2.4 miles)
• Dayton Tavern (2.9 miles)
• Grammy's Ice Cream (3.2 miles)
• Cracker Barrel (3.8 miles)

Physicians

• Carilion Clinic Family Medicine - Bridgewater (0.3 miles)
• Bridgewater Health Services (0.4 miles)
• Carilion Clinic Family Medicine - Dayton (2.3 miles)
• Meadowcrest Ent & Facial Cosmetic Center (3.5 miles)
• Shenandoah Valley Performance Clinic (3.9 miles)
• Hanon Pediatrics PLC (4.3 miles)
• Rockingham Family Physicians PC (5 miles)

Parks

• Oakdale Park (0.4 miles)
• Hillandale Park (5.5 miles)
• A Dream Come True Playground (6.5 miles)
• Harrisonburg Parks & Rec Department (6.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bridgewater Church of the Brethren (0.6 miles)
• Grace Covenant Church (3.6 miles)
• Covenant Presbyterian Church (4.4 miles)
• Harrisonburg First Church of the Brethern (6.7 miles)

Cafes

• Joe's Griddle & Grill (3.6 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Greenberry's Coffee Co. (6.6 miles)
• Starbucks (7.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Rmh Family Birthplace (6.4 miles)
• Rockingham Memorial Hospital (6.5 miles)
• Rmh Outpatient Surgery (6.5 miles)
• Rockingham Memorial Hospital (6.8 miles)
• Healthsource (6.8 miles)
• Rmh Women's Health Focus (6.9 miles)

Transportation

• Miller's Taxidermy (6.6 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Harrisonburg (7.2 miles)