Fir At 17th Senior Apartments in Longview, WA

Pros

• They offer engaging activities and maintain a nice, cozy, homey facility.
• The staff at New Westside Terrace are a great group to work with, kind and caring.
• The location is lovely and the atmosphere is caring.
• The staff are very caring in a clean, relaxed environment.
• They provide a high level of care that keeps residents happy.
• The staff are awesome and loving, taking time to serve each resident and ensuring a safe environment.
• The organization is highly recommended as a great place to live, with a bright lobby, beautiful decor, and a variety of events throughout the year.

Cons

• Manager Eric is abusive to residents during the pandemic and discriminates against people with speech impediments.

Review

Fir At 17th Senior Apartments in Longview is best suited for active, socially oriented seniors who want a warm, home-like setting and a staff-driven community that sustains a lively calendar of events. The facility earns praise for its cozy, human-scale atmosphere, a nice location, and an ongoing stream of activities that give residents daily reasons to socialize. Across multiple notes, the people working there are described as genuine, caring, and committed to making each day meaningful. For families prioritizing a high-touch, community feel over a clinical, impersonal environment, this option consistently checks those boxes.

Yet there are clear reasons some families should consider alternatives. The most troubling report centers on management behavior: a named manager is described as abusive to residents and discriminating against people with speech impediments. That kind of leadership concern signals potential risks in resident dignity, complaint handling, and day-to-day supervision. For residents who require strong, predictable oversight or who rely on a leadership team for swift problem resolution, this could be a decisive red flag. Additionally, for those needing more intensive medical or memory-care services, or a facility with greater clinical support, other communities may be better aligned with those needs.

On balance, the positive attributes tend to offset most of the cons for the typical independent or lightly assisted senior seeking social engagement. The staff's warmth, attentiveness, and willingness to spend time with each person emerge repeatedly in reviews, creating a sense of safety and belonging. A clean, relaxed atmosphere plus a homey setting reinforces comfort and reduces anxiety about daily living. The proximity to amenities and the pleasant lobby, along with staff-led events that brighten days, help residents feel seen and valued. When care teams are described as "awesome" and "top notch," these strengths matter because daily interactions become the core of quality of life.

Social programming stands out as a standout pro. The calendar is described as vibrant, with frequent activities that keep residents engaged and connected to peers. The environment supports routine and familiarity, which can ease transitions for new residents and reduce loneliness. Families notice that staff members take time to serve each person, weaving personalized attention into routine care. The artful presentation of the lobby and the consistency of clean spaces contribute to a dignified living environment. For residents who cherish community, conversation, and a sense of belonging, these factors translate into meaningful daily experience.

Still, the combination of strong positives and the single negative becomes a hinge point for decision-making. The risk associated with leadership behavior means attention to how concerns are addressed is essential. Prospective residents who prize transparent, respectful governance may want to ask pointed questions about complaint processes, supervisory oversight, and staff support during difficult moments. Those needing advanced clinical care, substantial mobility assistance, or memory-care services should compare staffing ratios, on-site nursing availability, and transfer arrangements across competing options. In short, this community excels in atmosphere and social life, but leadership conduct and clinical scope will determine suitability for certain seniors.

Practical next steps: schedule a tour timed to observe activity levels, talk with several staff members, and request current references from other families. Verify current pricing, what is included in monthly fees, and whether any additional charges apply. Ask about staff-to-resident ratios during peak hours, on-site medical access, and the facility's process for handling complaints or escalations. If the environment and emphasis on engagement align with the senior's preferences, and leadership trust can be confirmed through candid conversations, Fir At 17th Senior Apartments can be a strong choice. If not, alternatives with stronger medical capacity or more consistent governance deserve serious consideration.

Physicians

• PeaceHealth Women's Clinic (0.1 miles)
• Robert Samuel Hopkins MD (0.2 miles)
• Longview Surgical Group (0.2 miles)
• Schostal Clifford MD - PeaceHealth Medical Group-Lower Columbia (0.2 miles)
• Cancer Center (0.2 miles)
• Potschka Gretchen M MD Dabim Dabp (0.2 miles)
• PeaceHealth Family Medicine (0.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Chinese Garden Restaurant (0.1 miles)
• Hop-N-Grape (0.2 miles)
• Shamrock Tavern (0.2 miles)
• Teriyaki Spice (0.2 miles)
• UBET Sports Bar (0.3 miles)
• Pho Trang (0.3 miles)
• Freddy's Just For The Halibut (0.3 miles)

Cafes

• Dutch Bros Coffee (0.2 miles)
• Guse's Gourmet Coffee (0.3 miles)
• Corner Cafe (0.4 miles)
• Monticello Wood Fired Pizzeria (0.5 miles)
• The Office 842 (1.1 miles)
• Longview Donut’s (1.1 miles)
• Kaffiene Cafe Espresso (1.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Peace Health (0.2 miles)
• Northwest Permanente PC Physicians and Surgeons (0.7 miles)

Parks

• The Lake (0.2 miles)
• Lake Sacajawea Park (0.5 miles)
• Victoria Freeman Park (0.5 miles)
• Vandercook Park (0.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• First Baptist Church (0.3 miles)
• Emmanuel Lutheran Church (0.4 miles)
• Love (0.4 miles)
• New and Living Way Church (0.5 miles)
• Shekinah Christian Center (0.8 miles)
• Northlake Baptist Church (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Safeway Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• Castle Rock Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Safeway Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Fred Meyer Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Supplement Clinic (1.6 miles)

Transportation

• Enterprise Truck Rental (0.3 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.3 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (0.6 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.6 miles)