Briarwood Commons Apartments

Pros

• The management is excellent, and the maintenance and groundskeeping are of high quality.
• Briarwood is a great place to live.
• The management team (Melinda and Zena) is very accessible.
• The grounds are well maintained, and the clubhouse is a pleasant place to hang out.
• There are many activities offered, such as ceramic and art classes, movie nights, potlucks, and book clubs.
• Maintenance issues are addressed promptly.
• The staff is excellent and the community is welcoming.
• The accommodations are clean and modern.

Cons

• They suck and are hypothetical.
• This place is very prejudice.
• They have the wrong kind of manager for this place.
• The management doesn't care about the disabled or the elderly.
• Management listens to rumors and not the real thing.

Review

Briarwood and Briarwood Commons attract a wide range of opinions, with many residents praising the community for its recent improvements, well-kept grounds, and active social scene, while a smaller but vocal group raises concerns about management and inclusivity. Taken together, the reviews paint a picture of a place that has become much more appealing in some aspects, even as questions linger for others about how the leadership responds to residents with specific needs.

On the positive side, several comments celebrate a notable upgrade in management and maintenance. Reviewers highlight "excellent new management" and commend the quality of experienced maintenance and groundskeeping. They point to the value provided by living in Briarwood, noting that the property offers strong upkeep and a clean, well-maintained exterior. The grounds are described as well cared for, contributing to a welcoming atmosphere as you walk through the community. One resident specifically mentions the accessibility of the management team - naming Melinda and Zena as approachable and responsive - and attributes much of the place's current success to their leadership.

The clubhouse and social life also receive high marks. The groundskeeping is tied to a broader sense of community, with the clubhouse described as a pleasant place to gather. A robust slate of activities is highlighted, including ceramic and art classes, movie nights, potlucks, and a book club, among other offerings. Maintenance issues, when they arise, are said to be addressed promptly, reinforcing the impression of a responsive and client-focused operation. In addition to the social amenities, residents note clean and modern living spaces, ample parking, and a suite of on-site services - such as a pool, gym, salon, and game room - that contribute to the convenience and quality of daily life.

Further emphasizing the appeal, reviewers describe Briarwood Commons as a solid choice to call home. The combination of well-kept grounds, accessible management, and on-site services creates a sense of ease and comfort for residents. The location's accessibility to public transportation is cited as a practical benefit, complementing the overall attractiveness of the community. The overall sentiment from these reviews is one of satisfaction with the current state of Briarwood Commons: a modern, well-managed place that prioritizes resident needs and offers a variety of activities and conveniences.

Yet not all feedback is rosy. A portion of reviews expresses concern about prejudice or a sense that the environment does not live up to some residents' expectations. One reviewer sternly cautions others not to come to the place, accusing the staff of prejudice and suggesting that the management operates in a way that is not transparent or grounded in reality. This view frames the community as potentially discriminatory, or at least as presenting itself in a way that conflicts with certain residents' experiences. The language used is strong, signaling a clear dissatisfaction and a belief that the experience could differ markedly from the pro-house narrative offered by other reviewers.

Another critical voice targets the management more directly. This perspective argues that the "wrong kind of manager" is at the helm and accuses management of a lack of care for disabled or elderly residents. According to this view, leadership is swayed by rumors rather than by the lived experiences of residents, and thus fails to address real needs in meaningful ways. The implication is that there is a disconnect between what is promised publicly and how residents with particular vulnerabilities are treated behind the scenes.

Amid these mixed impressions, there is one more striking remark that seems to speak to a mismatch between branding or identity and actual experience. A commenter notes that "the forest here is not made of briars" and follows with a negative sentiment about ordering again. This line suggests dissatisfaction with branding or a metaphorical disconnect - perhaps a sense that what is presented or marketed (the Briarwood identity) does not align with the resident's lived reality. It underscores the tension between an appealing image and more critical, possibly harsher, personal experience.

Taken as a whole, the collection of reviews presents Briarwood and Briarwood Commons as a community with strong positives: active management that is accessible, a well-kept environment, a comprehensive set of amenities, and a vibrant schedule of social activities that foster a sense of community. At the same time, there are persistent concerns about management's sensitivity to the needs of disabled and elderly residents, and about the influence of rumors on decision-making. The contrasting voices suggest that while many residents feel validated by the improvements and the supportive infrastructure, others remain wary of how leadership handles inclusivity and transparency. For anyone considering moving in, the picture is nuanced: the community offers substantial benefits and a lively, well-served environment, but experiences can vary depending on individual needs and expectations of management responsiveness.

Physicians

• Community Health Of Central Washington (0.2 miles)
• Gary Bos, MD (0.3 miles)
• James Repsher, PA-C (0.3 miles)
• Ellensburg Pediatrics (0.3 miles)
• Kittitas Valley Surgical Associates (0.3 miles)
• Hiersche Daniel L MD Hiersche Dan L MD (0.3 miles)
• KVH Family Medicine (0.4 miles)

Places of Worship

• Ellensburg Foursquare Church (0.3 miles)
• Faith Baptist Church (0.5 miles)
• St Andrew's Catholic Church (0.6 miles)
• Family Christian Center (0.6 miles)
• Great Round-Up Covenant Church (0.9 miles)
• Ellensburg Presbyterian Church (1 miles)
• Peace of Christ Church of Naches (18.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Golden Dragon (0.3 miles)
• Los Cabos (0.3 miles)
• Taco Bell (0.3 miles)
• Teriyaki & Wok (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Arby's (0.4 miles)
• Subway (0.4 miles)

Hospitals

• KVH Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Kittitas Valley Community Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Prestige Post-Acute and Rehab Center - Kittitas (0.4 miles)

Cafes

• Koletty's Koffee (0.4 miles)
• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• D & M Coffee Canyon Rd (0.5 miles)
• Dutch Bros Coffee (0.6 miles)
• D & M Coffee Downtown (0.9 miles)
• Camo Coffee (19.2 miles)

Parks

• Mountain View Park (0.5 miles)
• Ellensburg Parks & Recreation (0.6 miles)
• Volunteer Park (22.2 miles)
• Selah Parks & Recreation Department (22.9 miles)
• Harlan landing (24.2 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.5 miles)
• Rodeo Town Taxi (0.9 miles)
• Rodeo Town Taxi (0.9 miles)
• All That's Wild Taxidermy (20.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Howard's Drug (22.9 miles)