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Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

830 Ocean Ave

4.4(33 ratings)· Portland average: 4.2

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living, photo 11 / 6

Quick Facts

Transportation
Includes rides to doctors, errands, and outings
Assisted care model
Uses outside home health vendors, not in-house staff
Building access
No staffed front desk; visitors can walk in freely

What Families Think

Families describe Ashton Gardens as a warm, active independent living community where staff and neighbors feel like family, though a number of reviewers point to inconsistent dining service and staffing levels. Praise centers on the transportation service, activities, and the welcoming feel of the building, while concerns focus on service quality and a few safety-related gaps.

The Good

  • Staff frequently described as friendly and caring
  • Transportation included for doctor visits and errands
  • Wide variety of activities, outings, and social events
  • New building with bright, well-maintained apartments and grounds
  • Residents describe a family-like, welcoming community

The Bad

  • Multiple reviewers cite staff shortages and high turnover
  • Several reports of slow, inconsistent dining room service
  • One reviewer found emergency evacuation instructions unclear for residents with walkers
  • One report that a third-party home health vendor was uninsured and unbonded

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living is a senior living community in Portland, Maine offering Independent Living. Amenities include Restaurant style Dining Room, Outdoor Patio and Gathering / Activity Spaces. Families rate it 4.4 out of 5 across 33 reviews.

About Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living is an independent senior living community in Portland, Maine, offering a supportive residential environment with housing, utilities, maintenance, and planned activities. The community is designed around enriching the lives of older adults through a family-style approach centered on comfort, safety, and connection.

The community features on-site live-in management teams available throughout the day, scratch-made meals served in a dining setting, and a variety of floor plans for personalization. Residents have access to on-site transportation included in rent for doctors' appointments, errands, and local outings. For residents needing assistance beyond independent living, third-party home health care providers are available to support individual needs such as medication reminders.

Activities and engagement are central to daily life at Ashton Gardens. Activity coordinators provide diverse programming including creative workshops, community socials, game nights, and outings tailored to residents' interests. The community emphasizes building connections among neighbors and creating an inclusive atmosphere to reduce isolation.

The community includes amenities such as beautiful indoor spaces and relaxing outdoor areas. On-site services also include a community concierge to coordinate transportation and activities. Wellness programs and planned events are offered regularly to support an active lifestyle.

Types of Care at Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

Independent Living

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Cable or Satellite TV
  • Emergency Call System
  • Multiple Floor Plans
  • Private Rooms
  • Wheelchair Accessible

Meals & Dining

  • Restaurant style Dining Room

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Transportation Services

Activities

  • Arts and Crafts
  • Birthday / Holiday Parties
  • Day Trips and Outings
  • Games
  • Grocery Shopping and Errands
  • Social Activities (Happy Hour, Wine Tasting, Dances, Karaoke)

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Reviews of Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living

4.4overall · 33 ratings combined

4.4★ on Google (33)

michael anker

Feb 2026

via Google

Almost 5 stars. Good food,service, staff friendly. Van to Drs great. If anything negative for me is there are so many people over 90.

Vicki Fox

Jan 2026

via Google

Ashton wants to be a great place at which to live out your years, but its missing the mark and several levels and I feel sad about those omissions. For example, we have had 2 fire calls in the last 2 months and there has never been any instructions of exactly where to go or how to get there, especially considering how many residents who live here use walkers. The announcement says don't use elevators but what should folks on the forth floor, for example, use to exit the building? We have gotten no instruction. Even tiny little kids are drilled as to what to do in as emergency!<br><br>Service in the dining room is challenging. The young people working there have often been abrupt in their rush to leave, snatching food and plates away from diners in a thoughtless and gruff and noisy manner. Many of the people here have traveled extensively and eaten well and the service at Ashton is often shockingly coarse. I think they feel they are paying a fair price for this food service and they do not want to be upset at so many meals. The recipes for for the meals often present as a dog food selections, overly salted and often spiced heavily. Cream soups are tastely but frequently indigestable.<br>Another observation is that there is no reception at the front desk and anyone can walk into the complex and wander anywhere. Someone recently came to visit me and didn't know where to go to find me, so she wandered all over all the floors then gave up. So, little or no security or instructions for guests and delivery.<br><br>I like the activity offerings, the gym, movies and the chapel offerings and I appreciate that the mangers are willing to clean off peoples cars after a snow storm, but couldn't there be designed young person for that job?<br>I like the building well enough and the plantings have great promise; I understand there will be a major redecoration of the lobby but I'd rather I'd rather see the money spent on better service and better food.

Bernard Broder

Oct 2025

via Google

Lovely facility. The staff is welcoming and helpful. There seems to be significant staff shortages and turnover, however. Also, they represent having an outside vendor providing assisted living services. I learned after-the-fact that the vendor is not insured or bonded. I found this concerning and moved my loved one elsewhere.

Kaitlyn Morse

Jul 2025

via Google

Ashton Gardens offers a relaxed, reliable option for independent living in Southern Maine. It’s not assisted living—but it is living with assistance. The environment is casual, the services are thoughtful, and the focus is on ease, not pressure. For older adults looking to simplify without sacrificing independence, Ashton Gardens continues to be a steady, well-run choice.

Matt Rothman

Dec 2024

via Google

Great place for senior living. Lots of activities and my daughters love visiting their great grandmother there; the free ice cream machine does not hurt :)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living offer?

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living offers Independent Living.

Where is Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living located?

Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living is located at 830 Ocean Ave in Portland, Maine.

What do families say about Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living?

Families describe Ashton Gardens as a warm, active independent living community where staff and neighbors feel like family, though a number of reviewers point to inconsistent dining service and staffing levels. Praise centers on the transportation service, activities, and the welcoming feel of the building, while concerns focus on service quality and a few safety-related gaps.

How can families visit Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living?

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with Ashton Gardens Gracious Retirement Living and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

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