Serenity Place in Lincolnwood, IL

Pros

• The staff provide very good, well-meaning care for residents.
• Lincolnwood Place is a warm, inviting facility where residents feel safe, cared for, and supported.
• The management and resident services are professional, responsive, and genuinely caring.
• The food ranges from very good to outstanding, with cheerful, attentive servers.
• There are abundant, well-planned activities and programs that residents enjoy.
• The facility is clean, well-maintained, and feels like a home.
• Families and friends consistently commend the staff for their kindness, respect, and helpfulness.

Cons

• Residents were not being treated right by staff, with some caregivers described as terrible.
• The facility was criticized for not paying agency staff after canceling them, which the reviewer called mean.
• A past review labeled Lincolnwood Place as “highly not recommended.”
• A family reported that staff moved a resident to a new room without cleaning it, and the resident contracted MRSA.
• The place was described as more expensive than competitors, with smaller kitchens, rooms, and closet space.
• One reviewer said they had nothing good to say about Lincolnwood Place and warned others to think twice before choosing it.
• The lack of air conditioning for two weeks was deemed unacceptable and irresponsible.

Review

Serenity Place in Lincolnwood is best suited for families seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one senior living community where independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing can unfold on one campus. This is a place for residents who want robust social engagement, frequent activity programming, and reliable on-site support from a team that prioritizes warmth and attentiveness. It particularly appeals to families who value dining quality, a welcoming atmosphere, and the peace of mind that comes with continuous care options nearby, rather than juggling multiple providers or moving again as needs change.

Those weighing alternatives should consider options that emphasize a smaller footprint, ultra-modern design, or a lower price point. For families on a tight budget, or for those who prefer a more intimate, boutique setting with fewer residents, Serenity Place may not be the premier fit. Similarly, if a quiet, low-activity environment is a priority, or if the focus is on a starkly contemporary aesthetic, other communities may offer a better match. The same applies to families seeking only independent living with no on-site memory care or nursing services; the continuum-of-care model is a strength here, but it may feel excessive for some.

The strongest positives center on the staff and the overall living experience. Reviewers consistently praise the caring, capable teams across shifts, including on-site nursing resources and long-tenured front-desk and support staff. The culture is described as genuinely welcoming, with staff who greet residents by name, communicate openly with families, and collaborate to coordinate care. The on-site memory care and rehabilitation services add a practical layer of security and continuity, allowing a resident to stay in familiar surroundings even as needs evolve. Dining and social life are repeatedly highlighted as standout features, with extensive menus, attentive service, and numerous opportunities for companionship and celebration.

Another practical strength is the campus’s sense of community and well-maintained environment. Residents speak of clean, attractive public spaces, secure grounds, and the convenience of living within a vibrant, walkable area. The availability of private dining rooms for family gatherings, accessible transportation for appointments and outings, and a diverse calendar of events, from performances to holiday celebrations, builds a home-like atmosphere that supports independence while reducing isolation. Families also note the ease of transitioning from independent to assisted living or memory care without uprooting, which is a meaningful value proposition for long-term planning.

Still, the community carries a few caveats that deserve attention during decision-making. Price remains a consideration relative to other options in the market, especially when a large continuum-of-care campus is desired. Some residents mention that apartment layouts can feel smaller in kitchen and storage space, which translates into a trade-off between space and cost. Occasional operational glitches surface in isolated reports, such as past incidents or maintenance hiccups, but these are not presented as the norm by the broad chorus of positive testimony. Traffic and construction in the area can impact accessibility, and a recent maintenance note around climate control underscores the importance of verifying current comfort amenities during a tour.

In the decision process, use these insights to structure the visit: observe interactions between staff and residents, assess the warmth and efficiency of the dining experience, and inquire about current pricing, what is included, and how the continuum-of-care pricing is structured over time. Request to meet the wellness and memory-care teams, inspect the on-site therapy offerings, and examine apartment layouts to ensure space meets practical needs. Speak with multiple families and residents to gauge consistency in care, responsiveness, and the degree of social engagement. If permanence, security, and a rich social calendar are High Priority, Serenity Place offers a compelling, well-rounded answer, one that delivers genuine peace of mind and a true sense of belonging for both residents and their families.

The bottom line is clear: Serenity Place is a compelling choice for families prioritizing a warm, well-staffed, community-centric environment with a true continuum of care right on site. It excels in staffing consistency, social programming, quality dining, and a secure, home-like atmosphere that supports both independence and escalating care needs. It may not be the best fit for those hunting a bare-bones, budget-focused option or for those who favor a smaller, quieter setting. For families willing to invest in a vibrant, all-in-one campus, Serenity Place represents a practical, experienced, and dependable path to a resident’s next chapter.

This part of Lincolnwood, Illinois offers convenient access to a variety of essential amenities such as pharmacies, parks, physicians, hospitals, cafes, transportation options, theaters, restaurants, and places of worship. With multiple Walgreens locations nearby for medical needs and supplies, as well as several parks for outdoor recreation and relaxation. There are also various dining options ranging from fast food to casual dining establishments. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable hospitals and physicians' offices within a reasonable distance. Public transportation is easily accessible for those who prefer not to drive. The area also offers cultural and entertainment options such as theaters and cafes for social outings. Additionally, the presence of places of worship caters to the spiritual needs of residents.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (1.4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2 miles)
• Walgreens (2.4 miles)
• Walgreens (2.5 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)

Parks

• Warren Park (1.4 miles)
• Dubkin Park (2.7 miles)
• Horner Park (2.7 miles)
• Independence Park (3.2 miles)
• Portage Park (3.8 miles)
• Dawes Park (3.9 miles)
• Centennial Park (4.1 miles)

Physicians

• North Shore Physicians Group (1.8 miles)
• Resurrection Medical Center Professional Building (5.2 miles)

Hospitals

• Swedish Covenant Hospital Cancer Care (1.8 miles)
• Saint Francis Hospital (2.5 miles)
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center (5.4 miles)

Cafes

• Little Beans Cafe (2.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.1 miles)
• Starbucks (3.2 miles)
• Starbucks (3.3 miles)
• Starbucks (3.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)
• Starbucks (3.9 miles)

Transportation

• Cta (2.6 miles)
• CTA Jarvis (2.7 miles)
• Cta (3 miles)
• Jefferson Park Bus Terminal (3.1 miles)
• Cta (3.7 miles)
• Cta (4.8 miles)
• CTA - Belmont (5.2 miles)

Theaters

• AMC Village Crossing Theatre (2.6 miles)

Restaurants

• Little Bad Wolf (2.6 miles)
• R Public House (2.7 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2.9 miles)
• SoFo Tap (3.1 miles)
• Culver's (3.7 miles)
• Superdawg Drive-In (3.7 miles)
• Murphy's Bleachers (4.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Baha'i House of Worship (5.5 miles)