My wife & I researched several retirement homes before deciding on Solvang. Each establishment had its good points and not so good points. But what hooked us at Solvang was the atmosphere of the dining room and the food that was offered. After eating lunch & dinner at a couple of other retirement homes, there was no question where we wanted to be. After all, eating out should be an experience you enjoy, not just putting something sustainable in your body three times a day.
For each meal you are given the choice of at least a two-hour time frame in which to eat. For instance, breakfast starts at 7 am and continues until 10:30 am. Lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, etc. Every table is set up in advance with cloth napkins & all the utensils needed for an attractive eating experience. Once you enter the dining area you choose where you want to sit and with whom (or nobody if you don't want to sit with anyone). Once you are seated, a server will approach your table asking what you would like to drink, or if you're ready to order. It is quite a large dining room with many tables to serve but it is surprising how quickly each table is served. It's almost like eating out!
The servers greet each patron by name each & every time they come in. But the real deal-buster is that every day they serve a different special for lunch & dinner. Plus they don't repeat the same special week after week--they really try to offer you variety. You may get some repeats, but it's seldom. For breakfast there's not usually a special--you just order off the breakfast menu, but for lunch & dinner you are given the CHOICE of eating the special or ordering off the menu which includes a wide variety of dishes to choose from. From my experience, the salads they serve are out of this world! Each salad includes a description of what is included and you can decide what you want or don't want in it, or you can ask for another item from the other dishes that are offered.
We didn't learn until after we had already committed to living here that their chef came from the Oregon Electric Station when it closed. I have no idea if that is true, but the quality of the food that he serves tells me he is a very good chef! (At least to me!)
My experience from living in Solvang has been very good. They try their very best to accommodate you in your living area. Plus, they offer many activities to keep you busy and entertained. If you have an open mind about retirement living and what a retirement community has to offer, I recommend you look into Solvang. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
Mike Bennett
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September 12, 2017
This is a copy/paste from YELP that one of our dear residents wrote. I just had to share this.
My husband and I moved to Solvang Independent Living Community in 2008. We enjoyed so many things at Solvang. They have wonderful food, interesting activities and especially friendly people. We had four wonderful years together at Solvang. When my husband passed away in 2012, I was alone after 64 years of marriage. The Solvang staff was a tremendous help to me during this time. Our children were so supportive of their dad and me. They were well aware that Solvang was a good setting for us. Now they felt Solvang was a good setting for me. I agreed, so in 2017 I've been a Solvang resident for over nine years and I have never been sorry.
Ellen T.
Eric Beins
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July 31, 2019
I was involved in a meeting at Solvang and had the pleasant opportunity of meeting several of the staff and residents. The staff was genuine and super helpful. And the residents I met told me they were glad to have found such a gem and love living in the community there. Such a positive environment!
Deborah Miller
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July 18, 2017
I've discovered that Solvang is a hidden gem in Eugene. The retirement home center is surrounded by lovely landscaping, and the common areas are clean and welcoming. My mother especially enjoys getting to know her neighbors. Solvang is just the right size. Large enough to have lots of friends, and small enough to feel like a nice little neighborhood.
Jody Dietz
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July 11, 2017
I came and had lunch with a friend who showed me around, the people and staff where very friendly and professional. The buildings and grounds are very nice. I really like the peaceful nature look. I hope that when my mother is ready she will like it as well. The residents I talked with seemed to really like it there
My wife & I researched several retirement homes before deciding on Solvang. Each establishment had its good points and not so good points. But what hooked us at Solvang was the atmosphere of the dining room and the food that was offered. After eating lunch & dinner at a couple of other retirement homes, there was no question where we wanted to be. After all, eating out should be an experience you enjoy, not just putting something sustainable in your body three times a day. For each meal you are given the choice of at least a two-hour time frame in which to eat. For instance, breakfast starts at 7 am and continues until 10:30 am. Lunch from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, etc. Every table is set up in advance with cloth napkins & all the utensils needed for an attractive eating experience. Once you enter the dining area you choose where you want to sit and with whom (or nobody if you don't want to sit with anyone). Once you are seated, a server will approach your table asking what you would like to drink, or if you're ready to order. It is quite a large dining room with many tables to serve but it is surprising how quickly each table is served. It's almost like eating out! The servers greet each patron by name each & every time they come in. But the real deal-buster is that every day they serve a different special for lunch & dinner. Plus they don't repeat the same special week after week--they really try to offer you variety. You may get some repeats, but it's seldom. For breakfast there's not usually a special--you just order off the breakfast menu, but for lunch & dinner you are given the CHOICE of eating the special or ordering off the menu which includes a wide variety of dishes to choose from. From my experience, the salads they serve are out of this world! Each salad includes a description of what is included and you can decide what you want or don't want in it, or you can ask for another item from the other dishes that are offered. We didn't learn until after we had already committed to living here that their chef came from the Oregon Electric Station when it closed. I have no idea if that is true, but the quality of the food that he serves tells me he is a very good chef! (At least to me!) My experience from living in Solvang has been very good. They try their very best to accommodate you in your living area. Plus, they offer many activities to keep you busy and entertained. If you have an open mind about retirement living and what a retirement community has to offer, I recommend you look into Solvang. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
This is a copy/paste from YELP that one of our dear residents wrote. I just had to share this. My husband and I moved to Solvang Independent Living Community in 2008. We enjoyed so many things at Solvang. They have wonderful food, interesting activities and especially friendly people. We had four wonderful years together at Solvang. When my husband passed away in 2012, I was alone after 64 years of marriage. The Solvang staff was a tremendous help to me during this time. Our children were so supportive of their dad and me. They were well aware that Solvang was a good setting for us. Now they felt Solvang was a good setting for me. I agreed, so in 2017 I've been a Solvang resident for over nine years and I have never been sorry. Ellen T.
I was involved in a meeting at Solvang and had the pleasant opportunity of meeting several of the staff and residents. The staff was genuine and super helpful. And the residents I met told me they were glad to have found such a gem and love living in the community there. Such a positive environment!
I've discovered that Solvang is a hidden gem in Eugene. The retirement home center is surrounded by lovely landscaping, and the common areas are clean and welcoming. My mother especially enjoys getting to know her neighbors. Solvang is just the right size. Large enough to have lots of friends, and small enough to feel like a nice little neighborhood.
I came and had lunch with a friend who showed me around, the people and staff where very friendly and professional. The buildings and grounds are very nice. I really like the peaceful nature look. I hope that when my mother is ready she will like it as well. The residents I talked with seemed to really like it there