I visited Willow Creek Gracious Retirement Living for myself. Actually, I had put a deposit there, which was returned because I was undecided. It was just my preference to stay in my own home. My overall impression was very, very positive. Everyone seemed very friendly. The girl that toured me went out of her way to show me everything that I needed to see. She was exceptional. She even picked me up because I live near the community and don't drive. Then she followed up with cookies afterwards, leaving them at my doorstep. The new marketing director still wants me to come over to Mardi Gras and check the place out, even though she knows that at this time I'm committed somewhere else. Their facilities were very nice. The location was very nice. Their activities seemed extraordinary. They had a movie theater. They said that if I wanted to rent the movie theater with my family, we could do that. They were doing a Hawaiian trip and actually doing some artwork that contributed to that. They were having a Mardi Gras party later, which they invited me to go and participate in. Their dining area was very open and welcoming. I think it was farm to table. The chef seemed to be very interested in having multiple choices of food. The place was extremely tidy and neat. The decor was a little dated, but not too much. It didn't affect the quality of the place, but it was just not as current looking to me. There were 4 live-in couples that were on the premises at all times, but they were not nursing staff. If I had some issue, all they could do was call the rescue. It was a good consolation, and it made my family feel very secure. If I had to go to an independent living facility, this would be my first choice.

My mom is in Willow Creek Gracious Retirement Living. We decided to keep her there. It's excellent. I love the people there, I love the management there. The dining room is very comfortable, and inviting, and the food is always good. They have an ice cream machine where everybody lines up to get ice cream, anytime they want it. They have their own hair salon. It's beautiful outside, you can walk outside and sit, and there are flowers planted everywhere. The residents do all that, they plant the gardens and the flowers. Very well located, it's right off of 64. It's safe, we've never had problems with burglary or break-ins. The activities are galore, they have many, many activities that you can watch, that you can get involved in, and music groups come. It's a really beautiful, homely place with a lot of good people in it. Just very caring people, and willing to help and look after my mother, and call us if needed. They love their jobs, and the management is there 24/7. They offer bocce ball, and chair volleyball, and there are prayer groups and exercise classes in the morning for any level you need. There's a small workout room, they have a chapel where the pastor goes once a week. They have a director who coordinates everything and does everything. They have crafts, painting time, just anything that you can name, they do a lot.

Willow Creek Gracious Retirement Living comes across as being a little bit more economically feasible, and they seem to be willing to work with you. For a studio, they used to be $2195, I think it was, and then they went up to $2495. That would be a little pricey for a month, but they include everything like the food and the housekeeping. Their apartments are good-sized, too. The staff members were very friendly and very family-oriented. There was a husband-and-wife team who were right there on site. I had a feeling that they knew almost everybody in the building. It was just like they were all part of a family. We were invited to their Christmas gatherings and to different functions they would do for holidays, and the food is always outstanding. In the past, they did things for Valentine's Day. They were doing gym activities and bringing people in to entertain. They had music, art classes, and all kinds of things. They also would invite some of the young people from a local high school who would come in and visit with the seniors, too. It's a very interesting and very active group.

My stepmother lived in Willow Creek Gracious Retirement Living for several years before she passed away. It's a great place. I've been there a number of times, and they're very nice. They just didn't have quite the medical depths that I needed. It's beautiful. Everything was fine. She enjoyed it immensely, and they were very nice people. It's a nice facility, clean and up-to-date. They had lots of activities. They got a library and a chapel, but I don't think they have a pool. The facility was fairly new and very well built, and her room was great. I tried some of the food, and it was excellent. My stepmom had her cat there, so they allowed pets, too.

The overall atmosphere at this facility is one of helpfulness and friendliness. We were dealing with the staff while out of state, and when we met everyone they were just as great. Beautiful surroundings and residents are treated almost like family, or so we observed.