(Provided by Gilbert Guide's on-site reviewer)

This unassuming pink stucco building sits on a corner, across the street from a non-affiliated skilled nursing facility. A small street-facing patio contains a table, plastic chairs and a brimming planter box, which was filled with cigarette butts when we visited. Out front, there's a small green lawn and many bushes and plantings near the entrance. Sinewy trees along the sidewalk sway in the breeze. On Overland Avenue, a gate leads to the concrete patio that separates the front and back of the building. We were told that residents often bring their chairs outside to people-watch and, sometimes, strike up conversations with the neighbors. There are far more residents with mental illnesses than seniors. The elderly residents are generally more sedentary than their mentally ill counterparts. Staff members seem to work hard to ensure residents who are mentally ill maintain their appearance and hygiene. Staff runs a tight ship in caring for residents with different needs and abilities. There is no medical staff on-site, but doctors make house calls as needed.

A narrow stairway leads to the main entrance. We found two residents sitting in chairs on either side of the small foyer. The nearby TV room houses serviceable couches and chairs. The monthly activities, such as bingo, games and exercise groups, are listed on a bulletin board in this room, which opens to the patio. The dining room appears plain but practical. Residents use this space mostly for eating, although it's also the venue for visiting performers. Our favorite element within the building was the shiny wood floors, which looked brand-new. Resident rooms, furnished with utilitarian pieces, vary in size and appearance. Small refrigerators and microwaves are allowed with management approval. Some of the second-floor rooms are larger and have splendid ocean views from their balconies. A number of lower level rooms open onto cozy private patios or the inner patio, where many residents congregate for smoke breaks. One resident has a hibachi grill on his patio—we're guessing he's popular in the summer! The food appears to be on the institutional side. A handful of residents order takeout or go to restaurants regularly.