Fifth Avenue Retirement Ctr in Sequim, WA

Pros

• Her mother loved living there.
• Residents and staff are very kind.
• The staff are absolutely some of the most caring, helpful, down-to-earth people you have ever met.
• Everything is clean all the time, and there's even an ever-changing art experience.
• The father is always raving about the food, which has an ever-changing menu.
• The dad can ride an e-bike directly from the property onto the Olympic Discovery Trail.
• There are always activities for residents, like games and outings to fun destinations.
• They were happy with Fifth Avenue as their dad's home.
• The place inside is really pretty.

Cons

• The reviewer would rate the facility zero stars and is disgusted by the treatment of their grandparents.
• They state that their grandmother, who had just finished cancer treatment, was given two hours to move out because staff felt unsafe entering the facility to provide care, which they find pathetic and indicative that the facility does not seem to care about the well-being of elderly residents.

Review

Fifth Avenue Retirement Center in Sequim is best suited for active seniors who want a warm, neighborly environment with strong staff support, excellent upkeep, and plentiful enrichment options. Residents and families repeatedly praise caring, down-to-earth staff, clean and well-maintained spaces, and a social atmosphere that feels like a welcoming home. The calendar is robust - outings, games, and a changing art program keep daily life engaging, and the dining program earns praise for variety and quality. The setting is particularly appealing to those who enjoy outdoor opportunities: residents can access the Olympic Discovery Trail via an e-bike from the property, blending exercise and exploration with convenience. It's a community where independence coexists with substantial social programming.

Potential buyers should be aware that not every experience is uniform. A single negative review raises a red flag about how policies are enforced when serious health needs arise. That account describes a rapid eviction decision tied to a family member's cancer treatment, suggesting that safety and policy boundaries may trump comfort or requests in crisis moments. Families with residents who require flexible, trauma-informed medical decision-making or who fear rigid responses to health fluctuations may prefer alternatives with more demonstrable flexibility and dependability in care decisions.

On balance, the positives tilt strongly in favor of Fifth Avenue. The staff's warmth and responsiveness are consistently highlighted, and cleanliness is described as unwavering. The property itself is attractive - well-kept grounds and a pleasant interior create a serene, homelike vibe. Dining receives steady praise for variety and evolving menus that keep meals interesting. Activity offerings and excursions provide meaningful engagement, and the community emphasizes independence while supplying ample social connection, whether through on-site programs or access to nearby trails and recreational options.

Yet the strongest caveat is the risk implied by that one-star report. It underscores that policy enforcement can appear inflexible in tense medical moments, and it reminds families that high customer satisfaction does not erase the possibility of a severe misalignment between resident needs and administration decisions. When choosing a community, this aspect matters as much as amenities because it affects long-term peace of mind, especially if a loved one's health status can change rapidly.

Still, the overall balance of advantages is compelling for most prospective residents. The combination of attentive staff, a clean, attractive environment, diverse dining, and a lively activity calendar often translates into real-life quality-of-life gains - more social interaction, regular engagement, and predictable routines that support general well-being. For families prioritizing an upbeat, community-centric experience with easy access to outdoor recreation, Fifth Avenue delivers. The concern about policy rigidity should be addressed upfront through direct conversations with management, including concrete examples of how medical changes are managed and how crises are handled.

For families screening options for a loved one who thrives on social stimulation, good food, and a caring staff, Fifth Avenue Retirement Center is a strong contender worth a formal visit. To avoid surprises, ask about typical staff ratios, how activity planning works, and what the contingency plans are for residents with fluctuating health needs. Seek out current residents or family members for candid impressions, and verify cost components and what is included in monthly fees. If the goal is a vibrant community with robust programming and human warmth - and there is comfort with the possibility of policy-driven decisions in rare medical moments - Fifth Avenue stands as a well-supported choice in Sequim. If medical flexibility and a safety-net approach are non-negotiable, consider alternatives with more explicit medical oversight and crisis responsiveness.

This part of Sequim, Washington, offers a variety of healthcare options with nearby physicians specializing in retina care, oral surgery, dermatology, and internal medicine. The proximity to Olympic Medical Center provides convenient access to hospital services. Additionally, there are several pharmacies in the area for easy medication management. For dining options, there are popular restaurant chains like Subway and Burger King as well as local cafes serving coffee and light meals. Places of worship such as Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church and Sequim Valley Foursquare Church offer spiritual support. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy parks like Sequim Bay State Park and Carrie Blake Park for leisurely strolls or picnics. Transportation is accessible with U-Haul locations nearby for any moving needs and the Jefferson County International Airport within a reasonable distance for travel convenience.

Physicians

• Retina Center Northwest (0.1 miles)
• Kanning Heidi K DDS - Kanning Heidi Ms DDS (0.1 miles)
• Olympic Peninsula Oral Surgery (0.2 miles)
• Paragon Dermatology (0.2 miles)
• Pacific Family & Internal Medicine (0.2 miles)
• Primary Care Sequim & Walk-In Clinic (0.2 miles)
• Olympic Hearing Center (0.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Olympic Medical Center (0.2 miles)
• Obotech (9.7 miles)
• Olympic Memorial Hospital (14 miles)
• Clallam County PhD # 2 (14 miles)
• Virginia Mason Internal Medicine (14.1 miles)
• Clallam County Public Hospital District Port Angeles (14.2 miles)
• Clallam County Public Hosp District (14.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Subway (0.5 miles)
• Burger King (0.5 miles)
• McDonald's (0.6 miles)
• Fanaticus Sports Grill (0.6 miles)
• Salty Girls - Sequim Seafood (0.7 miles)
• Pane d'Amore (0.8 miles)
• Dynasty Chinese Restaurant (0.9 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rite Aid (0.5 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (11.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (13.3 miles)
• Walgreens (14.1 miles)
• Jim's Pharmacy (14.6 miles)

Places of Worship

• Dungeness Valley Lutheran Church (0.6 miles)
• Sequim Valley Foursquare Church (0.8 miles)
• Gardiner Country Chapel (7.6 miles)

Cafes

• Oak Table Cafe (0.7 miles)
• Rainshadow Coffee Roasting (0.7 miles)
• Hardy's Market (0.7 miles)
• Cracked Bean Coffee Company (0.7 miles)
• Sunshine Cafe (0.7 miles)
• Hurricane Coffee Co. (0.7 miles)
• Starbucks (1 miles)

Parks

• Sequim Bay State Park (0.8 miles)
• Carrie Blake Park (1.5 miles)
• Cline Spit County Park (4.8 miles)
• Olympic Natl Park (4.8 miles)
• Francis Street Park (14.2 miles)
• Anderson Lake State Park (14.8 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul (5.5 miles)
• U-Haul (10.7 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (13.7 miles)
• Jefferson County International Airport (14.2 miles)
• Gateway Transit Center (14.8 miles)