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Merrill Gardens at Tacoma is a rental senior living campus (not a for-sale housing development) that offers maintenance-free apartments and cottages for active seniors. This family-owned community provides independent living, assisted living, and memory care apartments—all on month-to-month leases. Here, residents enjoy the benefits of an active adult living environment: household chores and maintenance are handled by staff so older adults can focus on hobbies, fitness, and social life. With an on-site Active Living Director and a robust calendar of events, Merrill Gardens encourages an active lifestyle—from fitness classes and games to group outings and volunteer clubs.
Merrill Gardens at Tacoma provides apartment-style senior housing rather than homes for purchase. The campus consists of 146 units (across independent living, assisted living, and memory care). All residences are rentals with no buy-in; leases are month-to-month with all utilities included. Floor plans range from studio to one- and two-bedroom layouts. The apartments and cottage units feature generous living areas (many include in-unit washers/dryers and full kitchens) to create a comfortable “home-like” setting. Rents start in the mid-$3,000s per month: for example, one-bedroom units begin around $3,600–$3,700/month. Merrill Gardens at Tacoma originally opened around 2011.
Merrill Gardens at Tacoma is designed for an engaging, active lifestyle. A dedicated Active Living Director plans daily activities and clubs (arts, games, fitness classes, local outings, etc.) so residents stay socially and physically active. The resort-like campus features an onsite wellness center/fitness room for exercise, a game and media room, a movie theater-style lounge, and a well-appointed library and computer lounge for quiet recreation. Dining is flexible: a restaurant-style Anytime Dining room serves fresh, chef-prepared meals throughout the day. (Residents appreciate having restaurant-quality meals without cooking.) Other shared spaces include a salon/barbershop, a wine bar–style bistro for social gatherings, and convenient amenities like underground resident parking and extra storage lockers. The beautifully landscaped grounds – complete with walking paths and an outdoor courtyard – encourage light outdoor activity. Small pets are welcome; every apartment has security features (keycard entry, 24-hour call system) and free Wi-Fi. This full-service community supports active seniors by combining social spaces, on-site conveniences, and a robust events program that keeps people moving and engaged.
Merill Gardens is located in Tacoma’s West End near University Place, a convenient neighborhood for retirees. The community sits across from Sunset Terrace Park and is under a mile from Titlow Park and the Puget Sound waterfront. Within a few blocks are pharmacies, medical clinics, and casual dining. For larger needs, the Franciscan University Place medical campus and shopping centers are only a 5–10 minute drive. The popular Pierce County Center Mall and retail district along Bridgeport Way are nearby. Significant cultural and recreational sites are close too: the Museum of Glass and Washington State History Museum in Tacoma’s downtown waterfront are only 10–15 minutes away, and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and Fircrest Golf Course are a short drive north. Nearby Highway 16 provides easy access throughout the region, including quick routes to Tacoma General Hospital and other services. In short, Merrill Gardens at Tacoma offers an ideal setting for active adult living – a friendly neighborhood location next to parks and amenities, yet with the feel of a self-contained village built for engaging retirement living.
***Please note that the images displayed are either AI-generated or stock photos and do not represent the community. Please submit an inquiry to get more information.
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