St John's Manor

Pros

• The manager, Ivan, is wonderful.
• Maintenance David is incredibly hardworking, kind, and a master of repairs.
• Units are renovated before move-in, which is nice.
• The backyard is beautiful.
• The residents feel like a second family and are close.
• The Costa Mesa area is loved by the reviewer.

Cons

• The interior of the building is horrible beyond words.
• The paint, furniture, walls, and floors are filthy.
• The building has never been painted or cleaned.
• Dog diarrhea stains have never been cleaned.
• The workout room is unusable.
• The building is extremely old.
• The trash rooms are filthy.
• The building is run down and filthy.
• The problem is that seniors are financially desperate, forcing them to move into this dump.
• Many residents hate that the building is a dump.

Review

Two reviews paint a picture of a Costa Mesa property that delivers on people and place, but struggles with its physical shell. On one hand, residents sing the praises of the on-site team, especially the manager and the maintenance staff. On the other hand, they are harsh about the building's aging, its cleanliness, and its upkeep. The overall feel is of a facility that excels in service and community, yet falters in upkeep and modernization.

The team at the center of these opinions is clearly beloved. Ivan, the building manager, is described as wonderful, attentive, and capable - someone who helps residents feel heard and cared for. David, the maintenance lead, is praised as incredibly hardworking, kind, and a true master of repairs. Together, they're granted top marks by residents who appreciate their responsiveness and expertise, suggesting that the human side of living there is its strongest asset. One wish echoed throughout is simple: more recognition that these two are doing excellent work, with residents feeling grateful for their efforts.

Where the praise ends and criticism begins is the interior condition of the building. The reviews describe the inside as "horrible beyond words," with paint peeling, furniture and walls stained, and floors filthy. They note that the units themselves have often not been painted or properly cleaned, with particularly graphic references like dog diarrhea stains that were never cleaned. The workout room is listed as unusable, reinforcing the sense that some essential amenities are past their prime. Trash rooms are described as filthy, underscoring a broader image of a building that feels neglected in maintenance and cleaning, despite the care given by staff in other areas.

There is a clear tension between the excellent people working there and the less-than-ideal physical conditions. The property is described as old and worn, yet there is a silver lining: the management sometimes does redo units before move-in, which can help new residents start with a fresher slate. The financial reality of the resident population is also acknowledged - specifically, that seniors' financial desperation plays a role in their living situation and in why this building accommodates a number of long-term elderly residents. In this view, the building's problems are not merely cosmetic but tied to broader social and economic circumstances that shape who ends up living there.

The location adds to the appeal. The Costa Mesa area is described with affection, and there's a sense that the neighborhood's advantages may someday justify further investment in the property. Until that upgrade happens, residents seem resigned to the current condition, even while some harbor dissatisfaction and frustration about having to live with a dilapidated interior. The sentiment is mixed but honest: the area is desirable, the people are supportive, but the building itself remains a "dump" in need of a serious overhaul.

A second perspective brings a slightly different emphasis but reinforces the same core theme. This other review stresses the building's exterior charms and sense of community. While acknowledging the building's age, it highlights a particularly strong backyard and a feeling of belonging among residents. The people who live there are described as like a second family, close-knit and supportive. The social atmosphere is portrayed as a real strength, with the caveat that joining the "family" means putting your name on the waiting list and accepting that there is a wait for an available apartment. The phrase "Where oldies lives" adds a touch of affectionate humor, signaling a community that embraces its status and finds warmth in shared experiences.

Taken together, the two reviews sketch a complex portrait: a property that shines in leadership and resident camaraderie, with a backbone of kindness and proactive maintenance, but struggles with aging infrastructure, cleanliness, and upkeep. Residents appreciate the proactive management and the sense of community, yet many express a longing for a more modern, cleaner, and better-maintained environment. The wait for a unit and the appeal of the area suggest demand and potential, hinting that with upgrades and renewed investment, the building could transform from a rough-edged but beloved home into a polished, well-balanced place to live. For now, it remains a tale of strong human warmth set against a backdrop of aging life spaces.

Costa Mesa, California offers a convenient and vibrant community for senior living, with a variety of amenities located within close proximity. The area boasts several pharmacies such as CVS Pharmacy, Rite Aid, and Walgreens for easy access to medications and healthcare needs. Additionally, there are cozy cafes like MoonGoat Coffee Roasters and Honor Coffee Roasters where residents can enjoy a cup of coffee with friends or family. For medical care, Newport Heart North and Newport Orthopedic Institute are nearby physicians that provide specialized services. Those looking to dine out will find a range of restaurant options including Dick Church's Restaurant and Red O. Hoag Hospital Newport Beach is situated nearby for any emergency healthcare needs, while parks like Seeley Park and Huntington Central Park offer tranquil outdoor spaces for relaxation. Overall, Costa Mesa provides a well-rounded and accessible environment for seniors seeking an active yet comfortable lifestyle.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.6 miles)
• Rite Aid (0.9 miles)
• Walgreens (0.9 miles)
• Rite Aid (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)

Cafes

• MoonGoat Coffee Roasters (1.3 miles)
• Honor Coffee Roasters (2.1 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (2.1 miles)
• Northside Cafe (3 miles)
• Nespresso Boutique at Bloomingdale's (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.7 miles)
• Rose Bakery Cafe (4.2 miles)

Physicians

• Newport Heart North (1.5 miles)
• Newport Orthopedic Institute (3.2 miles)
• Hoag Tustin Legacy (7.2 miles)
• Hoag Medical Group (7.2 miles)
• Coastal Kids (7.7 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Orthopedics (7.9 miles)
• Kaiser Permenente Tustin Medical Offices (8.2 miles)

Restaurants

• Dick Church's Restaurant (1.7 miles)
• Cafe R & D (2.8 miles)
• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers (2.9 miles)
• Red O (3 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (3 miles)
• The Capital Grille (3.4 miles)
• Boudin SF (3.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Hoag Hospital Newport Beach (1.8 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Hospital (7.9 miles)

Parks

• Seeley Park (2.8 miles)
• Huntington Central Park (3.2 miles)
• Bonita Canyon Park (3.5 miles)
• Huntington State Beach (3.6 miles)
• Corona Del Mar State Beach (4 miles)
• William R. Mason Regional Park (4.5 miles)
• Mile Square Regional Park (5.4 miles)

Transportation

• John Wayne Airport (SNA) (3.6 miles)
• Terminal A (3.7 miles)

Theaters

• Amc Tustin 14 At The District (5.9 miles)
• Century Huntington Beach And Xd (7.7 miles)