MyLivingChoice
Merrill Gardens at The University

Quick Facts

Starting price
$4,450/mo
Year opened
1985
Licensed capacity
45 residents

Washington DSHS

Pet Policy
Small pets allowed in resident apartments
Ownership
Family-owned company, not a large chain
Location
Located next to University of Washington campus
Care Limitations
No memory care or two-person transfer assistance
Dining Style
Anytime dining with no fixed meal schedule

What Families Think

An automated summary of family reviews and public information. Not verified by MyLivingChoice; confirm services, staffing and pricing with the community.

Families describe Merrill Gardens at The University as a warm, well-run community near the University of Washington, with staff repeatedly singled out by name for going above and beyond during moves and day-to-day care. Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness, activities calendar, and communication with families, though a few note the food quality can be inconsistent and that the community does not handle memory care or heavier physical assistance needs.

What reviewers praise

  • Staff frequently praised by name for attentive care
  • Smooth, well-supported move-in transitions
  • Active, varied social and activities calendar
  • Clean, recently renovated common spaces
  • Strong family communication about care needs
  • Popular courtyard and outdoor patio spaces

What reviewers flag

  • One report of food quality being inconsistent
  • No published pricing information available
  • Not equipped for memory care or two-person transfer assistance

AI-generated from reviews and community data.

Merrill Gardens at The University is a senior living community in Seattle, Washington offering Assisted Living and Independent Living. Amenities include Outdoor Patio, Fitness Center and Gathering / Activity Spaces. Published pricing starts around $4,450 per month. Families rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 60 reviews.

About Merrill Gardens at The University

Our community is designed to meet your individual needs and give you the freedom to be yourself. We offer the best in independent senior living and assisted living from a family-owned company that knows connection is everything.

Types of Care at Merrill Gardens at The University

At family-owned Merrill Gardens, we want your life to get bigger—not smaller. Make our community your home and enjoy a lifestyle filled with fun, friends and flexibility.

Our community is located next to the University of Washington and is close to the University Village shopping center, just outside of downtown Seattle. Merrill Gardens at The University offers well-appointed common spaces and we offer apartments with a choice of floor plans.

Independent Living

A move to family-owned Merrill Gardens opens doors to a fuller, more liberated life. Senior living for singles or married couples means independence, flexibility, freedom, and fun. We take care of the cooking, cleaning, and yard work—you focus on all the things you love.

We offer private apartments with generous living spaces and a choice of floor plans. Bring your small pet and all the personal touches that make your house a home. Dine when you want, as often as you like. Anytime Dining gives you the flexibility to enjoy your meals just like you did at home—on your schedule.

Our Active Living calendar is driven by the desires of the people who live here—from fitness classes to charity work to games to outings—it's all at your fingertips.

Assisted Living

At Merrill Gardens, caring is more than a service we provide. It is an eyes-open, heart-engaged lifestyle. We love seeing the people who live here enjoy fuller, happier lives while we take care of the basics of daily living. We start with an individually tailored service plan and focus on nurturing residents to reach their fullest potential.

Services we can assist with may include bathing, dressing, grooming, medication management, safety checks, and more. Privacy and freedom of choice remain paramount in our goal of fostering independence.

Anytime Dining gives residents lots of flexibility in how they enjoy mealtimes in our restaurant-style dining room. Our Active Living program promotes social activity, physical movement, and creative engagement—the calendar is packed with the things that the people who live here want to see and do.

You deserve your independence. We’re here to help.

Types of Care at Merrill Gardens at The University

Assisted LivingIndependent Living

Amenities

Room Amenities

  • Private Rooms

Meals & Dining

  • Dietary Accommodations (Gluten-Free, Low / No Sodium, No Sugar, Vegan)

Community Amenities

  • 24-Hour Staff
  • Fitness Center
  • Gathering / Activity Spaces
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry Service
  • Medication Management
  • On-Site Medical Staff
  • Outdoor Patio
  • Security
  • Transportation Services
  • Walking Paths

Activities

  • Social Activities

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Reviews of Merrill Gardens at The University

4.8overall · 74 ratings combined

4.9★ on Google (60) · 4.2★ on Yelp (14) · Yelp page ↗

Karen Bonomo

Jun 2026

via Google ↗ · Report

This is such a nice property and so perfect for seniors that wants a lively community. It is perfectly situated right next to University Village and has a lovely outdoor patio! Staff is fantastic as well, particularly the charming Leslie!.

Lorraine Goldberg

May 2026

via Google ↗ · Report

My mom has resided at Merrill Gardens for almost 5 years in Independent Living. She loves it! The staff is wonderful and truly cares about the residents. You can see it in their interactions. She enjoys the food quality and appreciates the ability to make special requests. The facility is well maintained including a lovely recent renovation to the common areas. They are communicative with family members and have been great with any changes to her care needs.

Cecilia Strettoi

Feb 2026

via Google ↗ · Report

I had the opportunity to interact with the Merrill Gardens when I helped an elderly friend choose a suitable place to move to. Merrill Gardens supported us through all stages of the relocation with professionalism, demonstrating attention, transparency, and genuine care toward their residents. Merrill Gardens at the University truly lives up to its name, thanks to a beautiful garden that serves as a focal point for nature lovers. The staff are kind and attentive, and the entire place offers a sense of familiarity and care. I highly recommend Merrill Gardens as a residence for independent seniors.

Virginia Dykes

Jan 2026

via Google ↗ · Report

I helped my sister and her husband move into Merrill Gardens in October. They acclimated and made friends very quickly. We had toured many places, but Merrill Garden’s stood out because of the warm and welcoming feeling. It was the largest one bedroom we found. My sister chose a ground floor unit with French doors open to a private patio and attached to a beautiful garden. It is especially nice to have an outdoor oasis with restaurants and The University Village all within walking distance. The staff is cheerful and ready to help with whatever is needed. We are very happy with our decision. Sincerely, Virginia Dykes

Teresa Fontaine

Jan 2026

via Google ↗ · Report

I toured the community with Leslie and had a great experience. She was incredibly knowledgeable, very friendly, and clearly knows the community and the surrounding area well. The community itself is newly remodeled and beautifully done — everything was clean, well-kept, and even smelled great. Every staff member I encountered was smiling and took the time to say hello, which really stood out. Overall, it felt welcoming, well-run, and thoughtfully maintained.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of care does Merrill Gardens at The University offer?

Merrill Gardens at The University offers Assisted Living and Independent Living.

How much does Merrill Gardens at The University cost?

Published pricing at Merrill Gardens at The University starts around $4,450 per month. Final costs depend on care needs and apartment selection; contact the community for a detailed quote.

Where is Merrill Gardens at The University located?

Merrill Gardens at The University is located at 5300 24th Avenue NE in Seattle, Washington.

What do families say about Merrill Gardens at The University?

Merrill Gardens at The University carries a 4.9 out of 5 rating from 60 Google reviews. Families describe Merrill Gardens at The University as a warm, well-run community near the University of Washington, with staff repeatedly singled out by name for going above and beyond during moves and day-to-day care. Reviewers consistently praise the cleanliness, activities calendar, and communication with families, though a few note the food quality can be inconsistent and that the community does not handle memory care or heavier physical assistance needs. Reviews on MyLivingChoice come from families who confirmed a connection to the community and appear with the reviewer's first name and last initial.

How can families visit Merrill Gardens at The University?

Submit the Request Information form on this page, or contact Merrill Gardens at The University directly, to arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.

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