St Mary's Gardens

Pros

• SMG has been a great place to live for residents.
• Residents enjoy a lovely home and a beautiful personal garden at SMG.
• SMG supports independent living in a wonderful setting with a diverse family and awesome staff.
• Residents have been happy living at SMG for over eight years.
• The SMG community feels like a diverse, supportive family.
• The staff at SMG are awesome and contribute to a positive living environment.

Cons

Review

I've been a happy resident at SMG for over eight years, and those years have become the texture of my daily life. My space feels wonderfully "home," with a beautiful personal garden that I tend and care for as part of my everyday routine. The atmosphere here isn't just about shelter; it's about creating a place where the small, intimate parts of life - a quiet morning, a moment of sunlight on the leaves, a familiar chair by the window - can be savored. After more than eight years, the sense of belonging I've found at SMG continues to be as strong as ever, and it's clear that this isn't merely a residence, but a place I'm glad to call home.

Independence sits at the heart of my experience. I am independently living in a great place with a wonderful, diverse family and awesome staff. I am free to shape my days, follow my own routines, and pursue the activities that bring me joy, all within a supportive framework that is readily available if I ever need a hand. It's a balance that honors my autonomy while ensuring I feel secure and connected. The people here respect my choices and give me the space to live as I wish, which makes the day-to-day rhythm both comfortable and empowering.

The home I inhabit is comfortable and personal, a space that reflects who I am while being part of a larger, welcoming community. The garden is a sanctuary - a place where I can step outside, nurture plants, and watch the seasons unfold. It's more than scenery; it's a slice of private time that I control, a retreat where I can reflect, plan, and simply enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. This blend of private space and shared living creates a living environment that supports both independence and a sense of peace.

The community here is built on a wonderful sense of family - diverse, lively, and inclusive. Having a diverse circle of neighbors and friends adds depth to everyday life, with conversations that range from everyday practicalities to shared stories and experiences. The environment feels alive with warmth, humor, and connection, where people from different backgrounds come together to support one another. It's the kind of place where you feel you belong not in spite of your differences, but because of them, and where everyday interactions contribute to a strong, nurturing social fabric.

The staff at SMG are consistently described as awesome, and the everyday interactions reinforce that sentiment. They show up with professional competence and a genuine, respectful attitude that makes a real difference in how I experience each day. They know me by name, anticipate my needs when appropriate, and respond promptly with kindness. It's clear that their dedication isn't about fulfilling a schedule - it's about creating a respectful, supportive environment where residents feel valued, heard, and cared for.

Putting it all together, SMG feels like a great place to live because it harmonizes independence with community, privacy with connection, and personal space with shared experience. The eight years I've spent here have reinforced that this is more than a residence; it's a nurturing home where I can grow, rest, and flourish. The combination of my comfortable living space, a beloved personal garden, and the supportive, diverse network of residents and staff creates a daily life that is rich with meaning and satisfaction. It's not just where I reside; it's where I continue to build a life that feels authentically mine.

If you're seeking a place that honors your independence while offering warmth, companionship, and dependable support, SMG stands out as a genuinely enriching option. My long tenure here isn't just a time marker - it's a testament to the sense of home, the quality of life, and the community that makes this an environment I'm grateful to be part of. For eight years and counting, SMG has been more than a great place to live - it's a place where life feels complete.

This part of Oakland, California, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With several pharmacies in close proximity, accessing medication and healthcare services is easily manageable. The area also boasts a variety of restaurants, cafes, and transportation options, providing opportunities for socialization and exploration. Additionally, nearby parks offer green spaces for outdoor activities and relaxation. Hospitals and physicians are within a reasonable distance, ensuring access to medical care when needed. The presence of a theater and places of worship cater to cultural and spiritual interests. Overall, this neighborhood provides a well-rounded environment for seniors seeking convenience, entertainment, healthcare services, and community engagement.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Blüm Oakland (0.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Pharmacy - Main Building (1.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Jack London Square (0.7 miles)
• Seawolf (0.7 miles)
• Original Pattern Brewing Company (0.8 miles)
• Drake's Dealership (1 miles)
• Nido’s Backyard (1.1 miles)
• In-N-Out Burger (1.5 miles)
• Almanac Beer Co. Barrel House & Taproom (1.8 miles)

Cafes

• Bicycle Coffee (0.8 miles)
• Blue Bottle Coffee (2.3 miles)
• Highwire Coffee Roasters (3.1 miles)
• Caffe Strada (4.7 miles)
• Hal's Office (6 miles)
• Andytown Coffee Roasters (6.3 miles)

Transportation

• West Oakland BART Station (0.8 miles)
• Lake Merritt BART Station (1 miles)
• MacArthur BART Station (1.9 miles)
• Emeryville Amtrak (2.5 miles)
• 20/21 Bus Stop (3.6 miles)
• Fruitvale BART Station (3.7 miles)
• San Francisco Caltrain Station (6.5 miles)

Parks

• Alco Park (0.9 miles)
• Snow Park (0.9 miles)
• Mosswood Park & Recreation Center (1.7 miles)
• Morcom Rose Garden (2.1 miles)
• Temescal Creek Park (2.2 miles)
• Alameda Dog Park (2.8 miles)
• Dimond Park (3.6 miles)

Hospitals

• Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center: Summit Camps (1.5 miles)
• Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center (1.9 miles)
• Kaiser OB-GYN (1.9 miles)
• Highland Hospital (2.7 miles)

Physicians

• Kaiser Permanente Medical Center - Mosswood Building (1.7 miles)
• One Medical (2.2 miles)
• Sutter Urgent Care: Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation (4.1 miles)
• Berkeley Pediatrics (5 miles)
• Kiwi Pediatrics Medical Group (5.4 miles)
• Sutter East Bay Medical Center (6.5 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Bay Street 16 (2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Bay Area Chinese Bible Church (5.9 miles)