Northside Home in Jacksonville, FL

Pros

• They describe it as a very good place to live where help is readily available.
• They say the staff are sincere and treat families like their own.
• They express love for the place and note it is very clean with no bugs.
• They report not a single complaint and say residents are well treated.
• They call it a great place with a friendly, clean, and pleasant environment.
• They consider it the best place to send relatives, with a loving and caring atmosphere.

Cons

• The reviewer would not bring a loved one to this place, calling it absolutely atrocious.
• The reviewer says the facility is infested with bedbugs for eight months to a year.
• They allege that employees steal from residents.
• They describe the meals as a sandwich with no condiments and a half a can of soup each night.
• They state the place should be shut down.
• They call it the worst facility they have ever seen.

Review

Northside Home in Jacksonville is best suited for families seeking a small, home-like assisted-living option where cost matters and staff personally invest in residents. It serves seniors who don't require intensive medical oversight and who value daily warmth, familiar faces, and a sense of family over institutional polish. In practical terms, this community tends to attract relatives who want a warm, approachable place where a caregiver's attention feels personal, and where the monthly price tag remains achievable. The setting is intimate enough for easy interaction with staff and for residents to feel that their routine is respected, if one can accept a limited scope of services.

Those needing high-level medical management, rigorous infection control, or flawless day-to-day reliability should consider alternatives. Families should scrutinize the operation if prioritizing pest control, consistent meal quality, or strong accountability from leadership. Larger facilities with dedicated nursing teams, formal quality assurance programs, and transparent incident reporting may better serve relatives seeking predictable care. This is especially true for residents with advanced dementia, complex medical needs, or a history of wandering or aggression where staffing ratios and oversight become critical.

On the upside, several reviews describe a genuinely caring owner and staff who create a friendly, family-oriented atmosphere. When the operation runs smoothly, residents report thorough attention, a sense of belonging, and noticeable effort to maintain cleanliness. The facility is repeatedly praised for its affordability - claims of "best rates in Jacksonville" recur - and for a homey, less institutional feel that many families associate with a comfortable daily routine. For families who want a personal touch, and who can overlook occasional service limitations, the environment can feel like a supported extension of home.

However, the negative feedback anchors the decision with real weight. A stark account alleges a prolonged bedbug infestation and widespread dissatisfaction with care, including concerns about theft by staff and extremely lean meals. Another review frames conditions as atrocious, suggesting the facility should be shut down. Even when balanced by positive experiences, these claims raise serious questions about pest control, staff supervision, and daily living standards. The contrast between experiences is sharp enough to demand a careful, up-to-date assessment before moving a loved one in.

The positive elements - affectionate staff, a home-like tone, and affordability - can offset some inconveniences if the operation is stable and monitoring remains active. Yet the severity and persistence of pest-related concerns, combined with alleged theft and questionable meal quality, significantly erode trust in daily safety and nutrition. For families who place top priority on safety, regularity, and a clearly documented commitment to resident rights, these red flags may overwhelm the appeal of a small, budget-friendly option. In other words, the benefits do not fully compensate for the potential risks.

Practical next steps involve a hands-on visit with a focused checklist: verify current pest-control status, ask for recent inspection reports, review incident and complaint handling policies, and request a candid conversation with staff about meals, activities, and care planning. Observe the environment, meet residents and family members, and probe staffing levels and turnover. If the current trajectory cannot be confirmed as safely managed, or if pest and theft concerns persist in recent reports, alternatives should be pursued. Northside Home can be a viable match for budget-conscious families seeking a home-like setting, provided there is rigorous due diligence and ongoing oversight; otherwise, steer toward facilities with stronger safety records and verified quality metrics.

This part of Jacksonville, Florida, offers a convenient and diverse range of amenities for senior living. With multiple pharmacies and healthcare providers in close proximity, accessing medical care and medications is easily accessible. There are also various dining options nearby, including familiar chains like McDonald's and Waffle House, as well as local favorites such as Larry's Giant Subs. For spiritual nourishment, several places of worship are within driving distance, providing a sense of community and support. In terms of recreation, there are parks like Riverfront Park and Adams Park for outdoor activities. Additionally, the Jacksonville International Airport is nearby for easy travel opportunities. Overall, this area provides a balance of essential services, dining options, spiritual support, and recreational activities for seniors looking to make it their home.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (2.1 miles)
• Duval Pharmacy (2.2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• Walgreens (4.4 miles)
• Winn-Dixie (5.3 miles)

Physicians

• Baptist Primary Care (2.2 miles)
• Family Care Partners (2.4 miles)
• Baptist Primary Care (2.8 miles)
• Coastal Spine and Pain (3.1 miles)
• Oceanway Medical Center (4.2 miles)
• Cardinal Health (4.3 miles)
• Jax Vision Care (5.8 miles)

Restaurants

• My Season Chicken and Ribs (2.3 miles)
• Waffle House (2.9 miles)
• Larry's Giant Subs (3 miles)
• McDonald's (3.1 miles)
• Wendy's (3.1 miles)
• Wendy's (3.3 miles)
• Strings Sports Brewery (4.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Faith Baptist Church (3.2 miles)
• Allen Chapel Ame Church (5.6 miles)
• Riverside United Church of Christ (6.5 miles)
• St Patricks Catholic Church (6.7 miles)
• West Jacksonville Baptist Church (7.5 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (7.8 miles)

Hospitals

• UF Health of Jacksonville (4.5 miles)
• UF Health Jacksonville Towers (4.6 miles)
• Childrens Medical Services (5.2 miles)
• Ascension St Vincent's Riverside (6.9 miles)

Transportation

• Concourse C (5.8 miles)
• Jacksonville Aviation Authority (5.8 miles)
• Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) (5.9 miles)
• Concourse A (6 miles)
• Signature Flight Support (6.3 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.9 miles)
• Starbucks (6.1 miles)
• Starbucks (6.5 miles)
• European Street Cafe (6.7 miles)
• European Street Cafe (7.2 miles)
• Southern Grounds (7.4 miles)
• Casbah Cafe (7.7 miles)

Parks

• Riverfront Park (7.3 miles)
• Adams Park (7.4 miles)