Merrill Gardens at West Chester was nice, but it wasn't what we were looking for. The room was very nice and very well done. It looks like there's a refrigerator, a stove, and stuff like that. They offer three meals a day. The person who took me around was very knowledgeable, very caring, and very nice. The place itself was very nice, very clean, and very well done. They have areas that you can use outside when the weather is nice. It wasn't that old, but it was very well-kept. It was a little too far for us and it just wasn't what we were looking for. Otherwise, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would like it.

I think Arbour Square is a fairly new facility, only 3 years old. My mother liked it and preferred it because it was smaller. It was much more manageable for walking around or getting around. All the common areas were very nice, and everything was new. There was a lot of light inside, which she really likes too. Everything was smaller and closer together, which she actually preferred. We toured independent living. When you go in, there's a little store, a beauty shop, and a post office. There's a 1950's style restaurant, a movie theater, and a dining facility. They're all right there and very centrally located. She really likes that one. The staff was very helpful. The rooms have a very nice design. Everything was well-appointed, and I would say they're quite a bit smaller than the other ones we've seen. Their activities are probably not as extensive as the other ones we've seen because it's a smaller place, but they gave us the newsletter that lists all the activities for the week. There are a lot of things going on. One nice thing they had there during our visit was that they had a seven-piece small orchestra come in and play for the residents that night. Everybody seemed very excited about that because they weren't able to have things because of Covid. The residents were all getting ready, and they were very excited. It was really very nice. They have an outdoor roof deck, which was super nice for somebody like my mom. It was a really nice space that you could spend time in. One kind of unique thing about the place is that it's located right on a small runway for a local airport, not with big jets or anything. The residents can watch the planes take off and land all the time, which is really kind of unique and interesting. I doubt you'd be able to see something like that at most retirement communities. I thought that was kind of neat.

Arbour Square at West Chester is absolutely beautiful, except for the rooms which are cracker boxes. They have a great big kitchen, which is crazy because you get your meals there. They take all the room for the kitchen, and there's just a little sitting room. Apparently, a man designed it because he wasn't thinking. They've got big hallways. They've got general stores. They've got this and that; but when it comes to the living facilities, they're just tiny. They have 1-bedroom and 2-bedrooms. They have weight rooms, activities, and everything. It's just they don't give you any space at all. There's outdoor spaces, and each room has a balcony. The staff was great. They were fine, and they gave us lunch. The food was good.

My father-in-law is in respite care at Arbour Square at West Chester. The place just has an appeal to it with the amenities, like the movie theater, the restaurant, and the diner that has 50s or 60s style. It is near an airport and he likes the plane coming in and stuff like that. He is getting his medication handled. He is independent with everything else; he does not get help with showers and anything like that. They are really great and very friendly. The staff are very attentive to him and just kind of go out of their way to check in on him. He is loving the food, but activities are a little tough with this whole COVID thing, but he is starting to be able to stay in some more stuff. It is a cute little venue. There is a lot for them to do and the airport is right there so they can go up to the top of the floor and see the airplanes take on and off if they like that.

Arbour Square at West Chester was a fantastic facility. It's brand new. It's a community of its own. It has two restaurants in the facility, a theater, and everything you need. You don't have to leave the complex. It has a general store, a bank, a salon, a barber shop, exercise facilities, and doctors and nurses that will come in and out. I liked it because it has both independent and assisted living. They have transportation and they will get you where you have to go, like to doctors' appointments. Their food was excellent. The gentleman that built this complex had parents who were handicapped and confined to wheelchairs. When he built the facility he took into consideration the elderly and handicapped people. It's first class. The staff member was excellent and very professional. The grounds and the building were immaculate. It's very well taken care of. They have good chefs and you can get a variety of meals. If you want to see shows or movies outside they'll take you, but they have their own movie theater in the facility. They'll also take you to casinos, malls, or museums. They have Bingo and card nights as well. The activities were wonderful.