Waterford Terrace Retirement Community (2025)

It boasts of quick access to San Diego: About 15–20 minutes from downtown San Diego and the Pacific Ocean. The neighborhood blends suburban peace with urban amenities—accessible yet tranquil.

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Waterford Terrace Retirement Community Pricing & Apartment Options

Waterford Terrace operates on an all-inclusive, rental-based model—no large buy-in or entrance fees.

Starting Rates:

• Studios: from approximately $3,100/month, some sources list as low as ~$2,845

• One-bedroom: range $3,900–$5,000/month.

• Two-bedroom options available; premium units may reach ~$8,600/month .

What’s included (in most cases):

• Monthly rent (excluding personal phone service)

• Utilities (except personal phone)

• Housekeeping & linen services

• Apartment maintenance .

• Transportation to medical appointments, errands, and outings

• Dining: three meals daily (chef-prepared) with soup/salad bar; private dining rooms available

• Wi‑Fi in common areas; high-speed internet; cable-ready apartments

• Pet-friendly .

• Smoke-free community

This bundled model simplifies budgeting—no surprise costs or hidden fees.

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Apartment Features & Layouts

Residents can choose from several floor plans:

• Studio, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom units

• Many units feature ground-level access—thanks to the building’s hillside layout—so even upper floors feel like home.

• Apartments include kitchenettes or small kitchens, private bathrooms, air conditioning, cable-ready wiring, and emergency call systems .

• Utilities (electricity, water) are included; residents typically pay only for their personal phone .

Typical sizes: studios ~494 sq ft, 1‑bedroom ~600 sq ft.

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Amenities & Services

Waterford Terrace offers an abundance of amenities designed for convenience, health, and social engagement:

On-site Facilities:

• Dining room with fresh, chef-prepared meals and à la carte options; soup and salad bar

• Private dining area for celebrations

• Beauty salon/barber shop .

• Fitness center with exercise and wellness classes (Zumba, tai chi, weight training, meditation).

• Movie/media room, library, game room, and computer center

• Walking paths, landscaped gardens, outdoor terrace, gazebo, and putting green

• Laundry facilities, elevator access, cable, Wi‑Fi in public areas.

Services Included:

• Housekeeping and linen changing

• Apartment maintenance .

• 24‑hour staff / concierge / emergency call systems .

• Transportation services (group outings, medical trips) via community shuttle; ride-sharing partnerships (e.g., Lyft) for additional flexibility

• Optional third‑party memory care or assisted living arrangements

• The Sunshine Travel Program offers visits to other Sunshine Retirement Living communities in 16 cities across 7 states for up to seven nights

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Activities & Lifestyle

A rich calendar keeps residents engaged and active:

• Fitness & wellness: morning exercise classes, yoga, Zumba, weight training, meditation

• Social & game nights: poker, Bingo, canasta, scrabble, Wii bowling.

• Creative & educational: art classes, cooking demos, documentary viewings, language classes, book clubs, educational speakers .

• Movies & outings: in-house screenings and planned day-trips to shopping centers, museums, golf courses, cultural events, and scenic parks .

• Spiritual & devotional: Bible studies, religious services on-site

• Resident-led initiatives: many activities are resident-run, enhancing community ownership.

Whether social or solitary, active or relaxed, the pace is flexible to match lifestyle preference.

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Dining & Culinary Experience

• 24/7 dining access—snacks or meals anytime .

• Three scheduled meals daily served restaurant-style, prepared by professional chefs; high-quality ingredients.

• Special dietary accommodations: vegetarian, vegan, diabetic options; ingredient substitute provision.

• Cooking demonstrations led by the executive chef.

• Guests are welcome; private dining space available for special events.

• Reviews highlight “great, tasty, varied” food.

Overall, the dining experience is consistently rated high by residents and reviewers.

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Feedback & Reputation

Ratings Snapshot:

• SeniorAdvisor: 4.5/5 stars from ~30 reviews.

• Caring.com: 4.6/5 overall—Facility 4.4, Staff 4.9, Food 4.4, Activities 5.0, Value 4.5

• My Caring Plan (staff reviews): A in Facility, Activities, Staff, Cleanliness; B in Food, Care, Value.

Resident Voices:

Positive Highlights:

• “Meal program …you don’t run out of points…good menu.” — visitor review

• “Lovely grounds…staff extremely supportive…sense of home”

• “Mostly positive…staff very good/helpful”.

• Clean, well-maintained, and aesthetically pleasing environment.

• Strong sense of community and family among residents & staff

Constructive Feedback:

• Some concerns about slow elevators in emergencies

• Dining wait times occasionally long; inconsistent phone reception in parts of the building .

• Exercise and activity coordination sometimes stretched thin

In summary, the overwhelming consensus is that Waterford Terrace offers friendly staff, excellent amenities, and vibrant social life—with a few manageable downsides.

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Care Services & Third‑Party Support

Waterford Terrace is primarily an Independent Living community—there’s no direct on-site assisted living or memory care unit:

• Staff available 24/7; assistance with laundry, housekeeping, medication prompts, dressing, and daily activities can be arranged

• Residents may contract third-party providers for memory care or assisted living if needed .

• A hospice waiver is available for residents needing end-of-life care

• No on-site licensed assisted or memory-care units—important if needing such services in future.

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Unique Features

• Sunshine Travel Program: Stay at sister communities (Sunshine Retirement Living) across 16 cities/7 states for up to 7 nights

• Resident-run events and strong peer engagement build a genuine village atmosphere

• Hillside architecture gives access to ground-level patios from upper floors, creating a home-like feel .

• Concierge assistance, private event areas, and consistent building upkeep .

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Considerations Before Deciding

Is Waterford Terrace the Right Fit?

Ideal For:

• Active, independent seniors seeking a socially rich, maintenance-free lifestyle.

• Those who want upscale amenities like fitness, grooming, creative programming, dining, and travel opportunities.

• Residents with pets and desire to live in a serene, well-maintained environment.

May Not Suit:

• Seniors requiring assisted living or memory care soon—it lacks on-site units.

• Those wanting immediate access to healthcare support in heat-of-the-moment situations.

• Individuals sensitive to occasional service delays (e.g. elevators, meals).

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Conclusion

Waterford Terrace stands out as a distinguished independent living community in La Mesa. With a wide range of amenities, a vibrant activity schedule, inclusive pricing, and strong community spirit, it consistently earns high marks for quality of life. Its main limitation is the lack of on-site assisted/memory care, but the facility mitigates this with third-party partnerships and a robust support network.

If you’re seeking a comfortable, active, well-serviced lifestyle for yourself or a loved one, Waterford Terrace is certainly worth exploring—especially with its travel and social programs that go beyond typical retirement offerings