Moldaw Residences

Reviews

• JB

  Jean Blackburn

  Aug 28, 2025
  5.0
  Written by: Gary Blackburn Moldaw, a Great Place to Spend your Final Chapter in Life By Gary Blackburn Moldaw and the JCC are primarily Jewish but by first-hand experience we know that all are welcome. My wife is Jewish while I was raised as a Christion. After 63 years we continue to have a good marriage together. The majority of residents are Jewish happily mixing with those of other faiths and ethnicities and all are either friendly or friends. Culturally and socially we probably could not have found a better place to live out our senior lives. There are more than just the people here to make us content. Moldaw has a lending library, an exercise room with equipment, a ceramics studio and more. Lectures, a variety of exercise classes and off-campus trips for errands, shopping and many bus excursion as suggested by one of our resident committees. If that leaves you time for something else, Moldaw residents automatically have full membership to the JCC. The JCC also has more to offer than you can do. All of the above are included with your residency. As mostly but not exclusively active seniors we have a variety of resident committees that work cooperatively with our management and each other. Safety is important to me. Periodically the news provides reports of many or all residents being displaced by a fire that started in one apartment unit that subsequently destroys much or all of the building. That won’t happen here. All rooms have heat-activated fire-suppression sprinklers. Migration of fire is further impeded as each apartment and all of the community rooms have strong fire-suppression doors. There are also automatic fire doors that close if a fire alarm is set in that zone or area. I asked a Palo Alto city employee what he thought of our earthquake resiliency. As I have learned, all the buildings from bottom to top are of extra thick concrete construction. There is no visible concrete on the interior or exterior decor. He said that we probably have the strongest, most earthquake resistant buildings in Palo Alto. That is important. We are fairly close to the San Francisco Bay. A few miles to the west the potentially destructive San Andreas earthquake fault runs from Mexico to Canada. Across the bay to the east there is the Hayward and ancillary faults that are potentially even more dangerous but we are safe. Moldaw staff will fasten furniture more than waist high to walls. If we ever have an earthquake all the buildings, although separate structures, are contiguous with barely visible seismic joints so that buildings can move independently without damage. People seeking a suitable place for retirement have the good fortune of multiple retirement communities here in the Silicon Valley and elsewhere in California. After surveying others, chances are you will return here, not just for good food from the ever-changing menu in our newly rebuilt dining room that should reopen well before the end of 2025 but to become acquainted with a highly diverse community of college educated residents plus more free activities to choose from than one can select. After 13 years at Moldow, are we glad to have made this our home? Of course!
• KS

  Katherine Smolin

  Aug 22, 2025
  5.0
  I am so lucky to have chosen Moldaw for my new home. The residents are so welcoming and I am not a stranger here. The staff knows my name and are so helpful. And yes the food is great.
• HE

  Hala Elatta

  Aug 20, 2025
  5.0
  As a non-Jewish resident of 14 years, I recommend Moldaw home for adult. The food is excellent, and the many activities keep you involved with music, exercise programs, swimming and eating meals with friends. Moving to Moldaw Residneces. - Liz Browniell
• KB

  Karin Bricker

  Aug 20, 2025
  5.0
  I moved here 2 months ago and couldn’t be happier. Residents and staff are so welcoming, I felt at home immediately. It is stress free living with a wealth of opportunities to exercise, take art classes, enjoy performances, eat delicious food and so much more. Very highly recommended!
• SB

  Sally Baker

  Aug 20, 2025
  5.0
  I have lived here for 14 years. I truly love the care and patience I've received. Other residents are willing to get to know you. Moldaw is a great place to live!

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