St. Paul's Towers is a large community with 14 floors. I like the people that I've met, and it's easily accessible. I like that the inside is filled with wood, and I like the big wood panels.

St. Paul's Towers is a very tall building and it is more of a hotel-type atmosphere and there are so many floors to it. They also have different availability price-wise. The units that they showed us were facing Grand Avenue and Harrison Street, and there's a large cathedral over there. It's almost all glass, so at night when it's light, it's reflected back on the windows on some of the towers. Many of the people there feel the necessity to pull their shades because they can't comfortably sit in their living room because of the light transfer. The staff is excellent and seems to be very friendly. The place is very clean.

I like the quality of the dining room and the food, and the dining room is one of the main things that I like about St. Paul's Towers. I have just submitted the application, and it has to be approved. I have not exactly pinned down whether I'll do a studio or a one-bedroom, but I like them both. It appears that the studio is sufficient, but I am going one more time to have a look, and if it is not going to be sufficient, then I will select the one-bedroom. The community is very clean and well-organized.

Section below this refers to the whole "continuing care" facility. ASSISTEDLIVING: My father was in assisted living at St. Paul's for several years. The staff members were exceptionally kind and attentive. The A.L. floor has its own dining room, but residents are able to go to the large main dining room if they are mobile enough and want to join others there. My father was very satisfied with the care he received. IN GENERAL: This is an excellent facility offering independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing all in one large building. My mother-in-law moved into a two bedroom apartment with my post-stroke father-in-law the year the facility opened. He died within a couple of years and she transferred to a one-bedroom apartment, where she lived for four decades. She repeatedly said how glad she was to have made the move and how happy she was with the facility. St.Paul's is next to Oakland's Lake Merritt Park, where one can listen to band concerts in summer, walk the three miles around the lake, visit the bird refuge, rent small boats, watch children play. For the active retiree it is an easy walk to BART (the rapid transit system with trains to San Francisco.) There are various lectures and other activities, and a movie once a week. Limousine service to city events. Driver to bank and to medical appointments. Family and friends may be included (for a fee) at the meals in the large dining hall. The meals are varied and there is a lunch buffet and a Sunday night buffet. For couples, it is convenient to visit a partner who is in a room with a different level of care. The atmosphere is welcoming. There are some gay couples and some members of racial minority groups. All are well treated by staff members and residents. DO check the price structure directly with the facility as prices on other web sites are not always up to date.