Maravilla

My tour at Maravilla was fantastic. Unlike other Senior Living Facilities in the area, it was a personal, not a group, tour. All of the communal living spaces were beautiful and very well kept, as were the grounds which were meticulously maintained. I got to see one apartment which looked fine, albeit small (1 bedroom) after living in a house! The people we met while touring were uniformly friendly. I would definitely consider living here!

I am a retired health care industry employee and aging member of the senior community. Beginning in late 2024 I did an extensive review of the senior living community options in the Santa Barbara area, I have lived in Santa Barbara since 1983 and wished to remain in the area because I have an extensive group of friends of many years. My husband passed away in October, 2020. We had been together for 40 years. After his passing, I lived alone in a house and with a yard that were far too large for one person. I got together with friends frequently and always had a good time, but realized that I needed to accept responsibility for my own socialization opportunities. I signed up for informational opportunities at the various senior living centers. On each event I attended, I listened to the presentations, asked questions and then made a point to chat with from five to fifteen residents of those living centers. I wanted a senior living center that had options for independent living, where I could do my own cooking, cleaning and laundry and participate in a wide variety of interesting activities. I also wanted a facility where I could receive meals, cleaning and laundry service in the future when the need arises. Other very important factors for moving into Maravilla was the friendliness of the employees you meet when passing throughout the facility. A well-maintained facility as well as a visually appealing appearance are essential. Having numerous large and small courtyards with sunny spots and shady ones with plenty of benches and chairs is very conducive to sitting and chatting or just reading a book. Here at Maravilla I can walk outside and meet people I've come to know through just striking up conversations or have meet in some of the extensive activities that are provided, or if I happen to feel as though I want to have quiet time, I can stay in my apartment to read or rest or in one of the many seating areas outside. I moved in at the end of January, 2026 and I am very glad I decided to become a Maravilla resident.

I have been living in Maravilla since January 15, 2026. I am moving out to a CRC facility in Cupertino California called the Forum. Maravilla is a very attractive facility but for a single male who is 83 years old, the programs fall far short of being satisfactory. On my move-in, I was given a piece of paper with the number of my apartment without anyone assisting me to find it. Over the six months I have learned that the weekly activities list called the program is intellectually vacuous. It probably works for a clients who are declining in memory or cognitive abilities. It does not work with someone who has lived their life as a professor and as a professional psychologist. The food in the dining room has varied significantly overtime. The most particular problem in The dining room is the Service. They hire young kids out of high school without any job experience. That leads to slip ups in taking the orders and also in delivering the food. Overall, I would rate the breakfasts as satisfactory and also the evening meals. Most of the staff is friendly and supportive. However, if you are a single male who is 83 years old and living in the independent building, you are completely on your own when it comes to dealing with whatever challenges you face. In the major building, there is a signaling device if you have a problem. There is no other assistance. There is also a problem in that there are about eight females for every male and I would describe Maravilla in the main building as no country for old men. In summary after six months, I am leaving and we will have lost my $50,000 deposit for my apartment. This deposit on the SRG website is supposed to be collected for memory care and supported living, but they collected for all apartments. Thus, if you don’t plan to stay or find it, unsatisfactory you better leave quickly because after six months, you lose $50,000. There is some indication this is used to refresh apartments after people leave, but that is exorbitant for a one bedroom apartment in either the main building or the casitas. What has most interested in me? Is the fact that the screening of potential clients is completely lacking. There are no checks for cognitive functioning, financial capability, and healthcare status. Finally you were going to see a lot of people living in A place like the Casitas, which makes sense for an independently functioning person who require massive amounts of support. They definitely look much more appropriate in the assisted-living than in the Casitas.

Lori gave me a tour of Maravilla. The grounds are lovely and the apartment and bungalow I looked at looked adequate for my needs. Lunch was delicious with wonderful cookies for dessert. I will definitely keep Maravilla in mind when it is time for me to consider moving to an independent living community.