Grand Living At Lakewood Ranch

Alexander Jury

Delivered a package here and wow what a retirement home! They got a gym, a theater, a bistro cafe, a gift shop, a salon, a wellness center where you can get a massage or get medical readings. It's like an upscale hotel. The lobby was nice with people playing a trivia board game.

Helen “Cando” Helen

Grand Living Sarasota (GL) is a senior residence in east Sarasota County with attractive first-floor public spaces and poorly designed, cheaply constructed resident apartments. Based on my more than 2.5 years of living at GL, I would not recommend this facility. I have four main reasons for my negative review: 1) I feel my health was jeopardized at GL because of arbitrary management practices. The "Executive Director" allowed an applicant with SIX (6) CATS to move in next door to me, and the 6 cats wreaked havoc with my cat allergy. GL had my medical history, so why would the “Executive Director” do that?!! It stated clearly in the GL Handbook, and in my lease, that no more than two (2) animals are allowed per unit, at the discretion of the Director. I guess the latter phrase holds the key. What kind of director is this? Apparently, the arbitrary kind that breaks and bends rules at random, willy-nilly. What kind of “discretion” is this? Apparently the kind that creates, then overlooks “slippery slopes” with ease. 2) Food at GL is mediocre, which should not be, since we were paying about $8700 a month for 2 independents. 3) GL’s rent fees are higher than most other leased senior residences in the Sarasota area. Why? We were told the last increase (6%) was used to GIVE THE INVESTORS A BONUS, and improve bottom-line profitability. 4) My standard of living at GL was diminished. Living there felt like a “step down.” because so many of the amenities I enjoyed most of my life just don’t exist at GL. No shower doors. No kitchen sink disposal. Drain flies in bathrooms (management said these were fruit flies! Absurd!). Smelly sulfurous water in bathroom sinks. And others. Was there positive side? Yes, of course. Fitness, Activities and Wellness (Medical) departments were good, but I don't have space here for details. My advise to you? Keep looking. There are senior communities in the area for Independent residents with good management that are a better value.

Tom Knierim

The Grand Living senior citizen facility has been a life savor for my wife and me. Barbara has a number of physical problems as do we all at a certain age. Thirteen years ago she was stricken with lung cancer followed by Parkinson's Disease two years later. Two years ago I could no longer be my wife's total caregiver and had to find a facility where I could have assistance caring for her. We went to another well recognized senior facility at first. My wife however continued to lose weight and if we had stayed there I would have lost her. After several weeks we switched to Grand Living and she was happy and began to immediately gain back her weight. I believe Grand Living might well be the premier senior citizen facility in Florida. While the building is beautiful (there is a full size gym and numerous exercise classes, with Parkinson's Disease doctors indicate exercise is as important as medicine), they have wonderful entertainment and the staff is exceptionally friendly and know every ones name (that includes cleaning, maintenance and to an extent the kitchen staff). We are very much at home here and have been protected here during the pandemic. We could not ask for more. Barbara and Tom Knierim

Shelly Morrison

This place is fabulous!