FLIK LIFESTYLES - Westminster Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay Review

A wonderful community to live and work! Exceptional care, beautiful surroundings and a 5 star staff committed to excellence .

Great views, good food, my grandmother really enjoys living there.

Amazing facility. Seemed overpriced compared to others in the area but they have amazing staff and lots of options for food and activity.

This happened a while ago during the Coronavirus outbreak but I doubt things have changed so here goes...



Meanwhile, when I wore my 3M reusable half-face respirator with P100 hard shell filters, I was told I couldn't enter the building with it on, so they handed me cheap dollar tree surgical mask. Keep in mind that surgical mask are only totally effective against large particles and overall, is only 60% effective against smaller particles. But N100/P100's are 99.97% effective against any and all particles. But let's have me remove my 99.97% effective respirator that has a custom designed tight fit for a perfect airtight seal on my face and exchange it for 60% effective paper mask with absolutely no airtight seal then enter a building of the elderly. That makes perfect sense, right? Fools.

I had to ask why and I was told that the facility is too cheap to buy the more expensive protection. It's too much money to spend on keeping the elderly they're here to look after alive - I mean, they'll be dead soon anyway, right CEO? Be careful trusting your loved one to a company that puts executive wallets and questionable science above consumer well-being.

It's a nice place to enjoy crabbing but good luck finding parking spaces...

My grandmother has been here twice for physical rehab following surgery. The staff here is very nice and friendly. The facility is very secure, clean and updated. There are LOTS of activities and such to keep residents busy.

Full disclosure my girlfriend works here part-time. If you got the money this is definitely the best Assisted Living facility in the area with best views. It's literally on the bay front.

My mother and father work there my dad has been working there for 15 years my mom she's been working there for about two years

This is the best place to recuperate the surroundings off fantastic the food and the people that work there

As a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, I had always wanted to live on the water, but without the responsibilities of home ownership, maintenance, and fear of storms and possible damage and isolation caused by them.

Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay (WCCB) had always been in my "Planning for future Retirement" possibilities file. A visit to the campus proved there are Bay views and access to the Beach in abundance, but there was also a community vitality and friendliness that greet you as you enter the building and navigate the campus.

Deciding to move to WCCB in 2011 was one of the easiest and most rapid decisions that I have ever made and one that I have never regretted. The array of amenities, activities, resources and opportunities for self, life and community involvement and improvement is amazing here. For the convenience of residents and staff, there is a bank branch, a pharmacy, a gift shop, a chapel, a fitness center with machines and a group exercise studio. There is a fully staffed clinic with Primary Care Providers and visiting Specialists including a Dentist as well as a beauty salon. There are even scheduled visits from the Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles for residents and staff. Imagine being able to renew your Drivers License or take care of other driving needs without having to make a visit to the local DMV!

Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay provides opportunities and resources in all aspects of a well-rounded life: spiritual, educational (mental), physical, social (emotional), medical, cultural and leisure. Its never too early to start your "Planning for the Future File" as I did several years ago; be sure to take a look at WCCB, you'll be glad you did!

Very caring staff. Take a personal interest with patients.

The staff on floor 2 seemed very unhappy
The PT seemed aggravated
And the worse part was they sent my mom home without oxygen after she had been on it for her 1 month stay at this facility
Nevertheless, my mom ended right back at Beach General

All I ever hear about this place is how expensive it is.

Let me show the below 1 rating reviews to 500 Westminster Canterbury residents and ask them What continuing care facility do you think they are rating? and I guarantee you NONE of them would say Westminster Canterbury on the Chesapeake. They are truly unbelievable ratings given by I-don t-know-who they certainly are not residents. But I am! My wife and I looked at several like-type communities before moving here, and some I might rate a 1, but I certainly wouldn t live there. So please ignore those and come see Westminster Canterbury on Chesapeake Bay for yourself. Believe me -- we live in a 5-star place!
We have lived here for nearly 2 years, having been Harry & Harriet Homeowners for some 50 years. We loved our homes and I truly thought I would be happy to die in the last one a glorious ranch on a quiet lake paradise. I couldn t imagine living in a high-rise apartment, but my wife is much wiser than I and she knew we could and should so we did. We re among the healthiest 80-ish couple you will ever meet, but we know we won t be that way forever. So, we needed a place that would take care of us as we age and decline. Neither that ranch home nor any one of our 3 children s homes would do. But Westminster Canterbury would.
I ve coined the phrase: The secret to a healthy retirement is to remain active. The secret to remaining active is to live at Westminster Canterbury. An annotated calendar is an absolute necessity. There is so much to do, and it s all fun! I ve never been so active nor had so much fun in my life. Our fitness staff is a group of energetic, personable, knowledgeable trainers who are dedicated to their motto: Creating community to foster joy and well-being. They conduct senior-friendly classes daily, and if those don t fit your need they ll create one that does. It used to be that I had excuses to not go to a fitness center too far, lousy weather, too crowded. Not anymore -- A short elevator ride or walk down stairs and I m there. Do you swim? We have 2 indoor salt-water pools for water-aerobics or laps. Do you prefer the outdoors? Join the 1 out of every 6 residents who compete in our own highly competitive version of golf croquet, take on your neighbors in bocce ball, or take a swim in the beautiful Chesapeake Bay our liquid back yard. Either outdoors or indoors, ping pong is a huge favorite of many.
We have a Program Coordinator on staff who seems to constantly be looking for an excuse to throw a party typical dance parties such as New Year s Eve, Valentine s Day, period times (e.g., 60 s, 70 s, 80 s), Halloween, etc.; plus innovative events such as a Robert Burns dinner, two Mid-Summer Night s Dream dinners (Acts I & II). Just about every Thursday evening, she schedules entertainment from solo singers to choral groups to piano players to guitarists to bands and orchestras. Saturday night is movie night. Other evenings are taken up with bingo, bridge, poker, mahjong, a Dutch game called Sjoelbak, etc.
Westminster Canterbury on the Chesapeake is a continuing care facility in the truest sense. Where else can you get independent living, assisted living, or nursing home care, all at the same monthly price, no matter what level of care you require? The medical staff is a wonderful, friendly, caring, and highly trained group of professionals. The administration and non-medical staff is also a wonderful group of professionals dedicated to accommodating residents every needs.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. My recommendation come check us out, then write a review preferably after you ve moved in. Then you can give an honest review. A 1 ? I think not!

This seems to be a great community to live in and be a part of. Offers all types of independent living.

I have lived here for almost two years and I absolutely love it! Moving here is the best decision I ever made in my life! My children might not realize it now, but coming here is the best present I have ever given them.

Living here is like being on a cruise that never leaves the dock. We have fabulous dining venues serving better food than most restaurants, game rooms, lounges, two indoor swimming pools, two Jacuzzis, a fitness center, a crafts room, a computer lab, free cable with TiVo, two beauty salons, garage parking with elevators, on-site medical care (including physical therapists as well as physicians specializing such areas as dermatology, podiatry, psychiatry, etc.)

As a person who has always loved the water, I would say that Westminster Canterbury's most captivating wonderful asset is the beautiful beach just outside our back door. It's located just inside the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, so the surf is gentler than on Virginia Beach itself. The water is shallow for many feet offshore, so it's the perfect place for the senior swimmer whose aquatic skills might not be as strong as in their younger years.

My ninth floor apartment overlooks Cape Henry and the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. Not a bad sight to see first thing in the morning! I have high-power binoculars beside my recliner and I can actually see the pilots climb aboard the arriving ships. If I am curious about a ship, I can go online and can find out ship's destination, its tonnage, its length, its beam, and just about anything else I want to know about it.

Something interesting is always happening here: concerts, bridge games, ping-pong and bocci ball competitions, sing-alongs, bingo, needlework and knitting groups, senior games teams, volunteer opportunities, and all kinds of classes ranging from very physical (paddle boarding, for example) to highly intellectual, to just plain old fun.

I have nothing but the highest praise for the employees here. The vast majority of our staff seems to love working here, and they go above and beyond the call of duty to help us with any and everything.

For example, a few weeks ago, I discovered that a hall mate had just driven alone take her very old, and very sick, dog to the vet. I was afraid that the dog might have to be euthanized, and I didn't want my friend to have to drive home alone. I called the vet and was told that the friend had already left, and that they had put the dog to sleep. In tears myself, I told our housekeeper the sad news. She was on her way to lunch, but upon hearing about the dog, she immediately went into my friend's apartment and spent her entire lunch hour cleaning up spilled dog food and other mess left by the sick dog. As if that were not enough, she found a pretty flower arrangement and left it on the entry hall table.

Another example: When a resident moved into a temporary health care apartment, she told her assistant that the TV did not work, and the assistant called me for help. I discovered that there was no signal coming in from the cable, a problem that could not be fixed until the following day. The assistant knew that the resident really depended upon watching television as her only entertainment, so she stayed after hours (without pay) hooking up a DVD player and rounding up a number movies for the resident to watch until the cable service could be restored. When I thanked her for doing that, she said, "Well, I just couldn't stand the idea of Mrs. _______ being without something to watch until tomorrow." That type of caring and dedication happens every hour of every day here.

I have more friends here than I have ever had in one place in my life, and they are all fascinating people with incredible stories to tell about the life experiences that made them who they are. I truly think, as the saying goes, getting older beats the alternative. Getting older at Westminster Canterbury on the Bay is my idea of paradise on earth. I could not be happier, nor could I feel more secure and loved than I do here!

I went to see a friend that is there for PT. It's a nice place.

I've worked here for over 5 years and I love it!!! I have the best residents in the world. This facility meets every need of the residents. I tell people all of the time, how much I enjoy my job. Thank you Westminster for 5 wonderful years, I look forward to many, many more.

I want to live here. So friendly and so many activities.

This is the cream of the crop of adult living facilities

I have lived at WC since 2014 after looking at retirement communities in Richmond and Florida. Being near the water was important to me and I was drawn to WC on Chesapeake Bay because it sits at the edge of the Bay. In addition were its amenities and excellent reputation. WC has proven to be everything I wanted and expected and much more.

Exercise is extremely important to me and WC offers every type class imaginable, all free, with top of the line equipment and instructors. Residents have the choice to participate or not, but the goal is to offer classes that keep residents healthy and living the best lives possible. Dance classes are also offered including tap, zumba, line dancing and more.

The resident community is a source of friendship and support.
Residents are wonderful and welcoming to all newcomers. Card games, painting, crafts and the like are available for those who wish to participate and prove and excellent way to meet others.

Dining is also top of the line. So many retirement communities offer set dining plans and few choices. We have three separate venues from which to select. Julia's is a bistro-type restaurant; the soon- to- be opened "Overlook" which will offer take out as well as informal seated dining; and our more formal "Beachfront" restaurant. All venues offer magnificent views of the Bay and varied, changing menus where food is cooked to order.

Residents here feel as though we are on a stationary cruise ship and to repeat what so many of us say, "what's not to like about WC on Chesapeake Bay"!

Wonderful staff! They took excellent care of my Dad! Very friendly and caring staff!

My place of enjoyment when necessary but to see how my residents love what I do for them.

I visit my grandmother often and overall it is okay. She has constant problems with her internet connection, which she PAYS for and has had them come to "fix" it several times. They seem to have many activities for the residents to participate in. Sometimes parking is difficult and I have to park in another lot and walk, hoping I won't get towed. Some of the staff are friendly and helpful, while others make it seem like we are bothering them or they don't want to be there, especially in the dining areas. My grandmother has also had problems with the home health care not doing what they should, so it is important for loved ones to frequently check in to make sure your family member is getting the care they need. Instead of focusing on making it appear like a resort they need to focus more on the residents.

Attended friends wedding there. Nice facility and attentive staff. Seems like a nice place to live with lots of amenities.

Meets all my expectations! I am so grateful to be here. Excellent independent and long term care community, food, lodging, staff, activities, five star health facility (which I used twice in 2015), gorgeous flowers and plants inside and outside, views galore and a beautiful beach. As a non-profit, run by a top notch Board, there is a caring atmosphere you do not find in a for profit business, yet as with all successful non-profits this place is run like a business and is well managed. Of course there are glitches, but they are attended to promptly. The people who come here all have stories and come from all over the country. People are what make this place great!

Very beautiful place very nice place to relax very helpful Security Department the best food I ever had very friendly community

Food is just ok. Other than that it is really nice and clean.

Beautiful views and lovely people. Praying I can retire here! $$$

The staff there were very helpful and understanding answering our many questions. The Hoy Center and Hospice nurses stayed with us until the very end with compassion. They helped us in a very difficult time of loosing our loved one.

Amazing campus with experienced, dedicated staff. Plenty of activities throughout the day. Beautiful location with top notch service oriented staff. A wonderful community to call home.

Super place to retire. I would love to go there when I'm old. Pleasant staff, and people seem happy here to me! I visit tons of nursing/retirement homes in the area, so, I have an idea of which one I would rather live in... xD

Please read in its entirety, This was a social experiment!

Customer service stinks!!! I called to get a quote for my Mother and wanted to make sure that I was placing my Mother in the care of compassionate people. When I called and asked how many units were at this location I was transferred to the marketing department. I explained that I was curious in the number of units on the property. They passed me to another person who didn't identify herself. I asked her the same thing, and she said let me transfer you to the marketing department. I explained that I was just transferred from the marketing department and just needed to know the number of units in this particular location. She said please hold and transferred me to the front desk. At that point I figured I would ask for a supervisor. I was asked why, and when I explained that I was just trying to obtain the number of units at the location I was told that the marketing department was closed and no-one was there. WOW, what a lie. I told her that I was transferred from marketing and she was silent. I asked please let me speak to a supervisor. She said, "hold on" and disconnected the call. My point is that if I am going to trust you with my mother, the least you could do is allow me to speak to a supervisor. Regardless of the reason or the question your job as a phone operator is to inform or direct a customer with respect to the proper person who may be able to assist or at least attempt to assist. A simple, "we cannot disclose that information" or "the person who can better assist you is not available" would suffice. Would you trust these people with your loved ones? Especially for the price you pay to have them live there? I will be going in person to speak to a supervisor and explain how there phone operators failed to win my trust and obtain my business. They can't answer a simple question like that, how are they going to provide assistance if your loved one falls and needs help getting up?

Before leaving your loved ones at this facility to be cared for, test them as I did, and see if they treat you with respect before hanging up on you.

This place sucks. Don't move there. There is no compassion and they steal things and do nothing about it. If the person died there, don't expect to to get their belongings even if you are their only heir, they will not let you have it. DON'T CONSIDER WESTMINISTER CANTBURY.

Overall is probably the nicest retirement facility in the state. Food in the main restaurant is exceptional.

Beautiful retirement facility on Chesapeake Bay. Great food, a sweet chapel, many activities for the seniors.

A wonderful and professional community and facility. My father stays there.
NEW REVIEW July 21, 2020:
I am so grateful that my father is still there, well taken care of personally and medically. The staff at the clinic are awesome too. An amazing facility, first class and best practices. Hope they open up soon to visitors inside, since most of our family are out of state. Thank you!
Joe H McWaters Jr.

Bella always had a blast visiting everyone here, during her Therapy Dogs International sessions. It was a great starter place for her & her owner to start their volunteer career as a therapy team!

I wish our society could treat ALL senior citizens as well as Westminster-canterbury does.

This place for employment was awesome but, work was overwhelming, still waiting for a medication aide position keep getting the run around but overall nice place will recommend for anyone and there loved ones but must be prepared

Not to thrilled with the staff on the second floor in the hoy center...rude and not helpful when trying to ask about someone they are supposed to be taking care of...

Doesn t really treat the employees very well. Tends to put residents first before staff. No wonder so many employees left. Can t blame them for leaving due not being treated equally/right. And no, I will not call to resolve the issue. Thanks.

Very nice staff and facilities at the rehab center.

Visiting my aunt....food excellent...views are wonderful...staff friendly

Today marks our first anniversary living at Westminster Canterbury on the Chesapeake Bay. Yes, for the past 365 days we have told each other how blessed we are to be living right on the Chesapeake Bay with breathtaking views from our penthouse apartment. Being in our 60's, we asked ourselves if we were moving too soon. However, this was the best decision we ever made! We had no idea how isolated we were in our big beautiful house. We've made so many friends in the past year and can partake in all the offerings here at WC or simply enjoy our alone time in our apartment watching the boats come and go. We love our evening swims in our heated indoor pool, we love attending the Thursday night musical performances by very talented groups and the list goes on and on. We even have a bank and a CVS pharmacy on campus. We've been coming to WC for the past 19 years visiting both of parents who lived here. Residents continued to tell us to come in sooner than later and that's exactly what we did! Good advice!

My parents have lived there 15 years. Restaurant food is top notch. They have their own pastry chef, and everything is always served fresh. The care they receive is truly above the bar. This is not a nursing home.

Courteous gracious staff, gorgeous views, beautiful and well-kept facility