Prairie Commons Apartments

Pros

• Prairie Commons is well-maintained and designed with comfort in mind.
• The office staff are patient, friendly, responsive, and truly care about residents.
• There are always fun activities and events that help residents meet neighbors and feel part of a community.
• The clubhouse and common areas are clean, and maintenance responds quickly to requests.
• Maintenance requests are completed quickly.
• The current manager is very nice and helpful.
• The grounds are lovely and the property is very pet-friendly.
• Residents feel very safe here at all hours.
• Most of the neighbors are very friendly.
• Prairie Commons was a breath of fresh air compared to other 55+ communities.
• The property offers 1x1 and 2x1 floor plans, with garages available.
• The grounds are well-kept, the location is great (e.g., Walmart across the street), and Cassie and Janis are welcoming and knowledgeable.
• The property is very clean and charming, and the team is great to work with.
• Anna and Janis are the best; they are patient, knowledgeable, and care for residents.
• The manager and staff are accommodating, responsive, and highly recommended.

Cons

• The dryer doesn't dry clothes in one cycle and costs 2.50 to dry a load.
• The dryer issue has been mentioned multiple times over a year and has never been fixed.
• The resident has given up on getting the dryer fixed.
• The windows are poorly insulated, making the bedroom cold in winter.
• Hallways smell like cigarette smoke.
• There have been three or four managers since moving in, indicating turnover.
• Gossip among residents leads to a sense that many people know others' business.

Review

Prairie Commons presents itself as a welcoming and well-kept community that seems to be built with comfort and practicality in mind. The apartments are described as well-maintained and thoughtfully designed, offering a living environment that prioritizes ease and livability. The grounds are consistently praised for their beauty, and neighbors are encouraged to come together through regular activities and events that make it easy to meet people and feel like part of a community. The 55+ atmosphere is a common thread, with residents noting that the property offers a slower, more relaxed pace that suits quieter, social living.

A standout for many residents is the office staff, who are repeatedly described as patient, friendly, responsive, and genuinely caring about residents. Cassie and Janis appear in numerous comments as especially welcoming and helpful, with several reviews highlighting how they answer questions, coordinate requests, and contribute to a positive daily experience. While there has been turnover in management - three or four managers since some residents moved in - the continuity and warmth of the current team are often singled out as a major plus. In particular, the latest office leadership is described as very nice and helpful, reinforcing the sense that the staff are genuinely invested in resident well-being.

Maintenance responsiveness is another frequent theme, with many reviews praising how quickly requests are addressed. The clubhouse and common areas are kept clean, and when there's a maintenance need, the response is typically prompt. Still, there are occasional caveats. For example, one resident notes ongoing issues with the washer/dryer in Building C: the dryer does not fully dry a load in one cycle, leading to extra trips to the machines and a cost of $2.50 per load to dry. This issue has been reported repeatedly without a fix, illustrating how even in a thriving community, certain annoyances can persist.

Residents routinely celebrate the social fabric of Prairie Commons. The clubhouse serves as a hub for activity, with the property offering a variety of events that facilitate neighborly connections. It's common to hear about daily gatherings, breakfast events on Fridays, and other opportunities to mingle. The property is also highlighted for its practical amenities, including a choice of floor plans (1x1 and 2x1) and available garages, which add to the convenience for residents and their families. The proximity to a Walmart, located just across the street, is frequently mentioned as a significant convenience in daily life, underscoring the property's strong location value. The sense of a tight-knit community is reinforced by stories of residents and their families engaging with staff to address questions and get guidance through the transition to apartment living.

Life at Prairie Commons is often framed through the voices of residents who value the sense of safety, pet-friendliness, and the cheerful routine of a community focused on well-being. The grounds are repeatedly described as lovely and well-kept, and the property is positioned as very pet-friendly, which contributes to a welcoming environment for animal lovers. Individuals express relief and comfort at feeling safe at all hours, a key factor for many in a 55+ setting. While the social dynamic includes warm, friendly neighbors, there are occasional mentions of gossip - an understandable byproduct of a close community where people know each other's business. Most residents tend to ignore the chatter, choosing to focus on the positive, neighborly aspects that define daily life there.

Beyond the practical details and staff accolades, several reviews spotlight the personal connections that make Prairie Commons special. Families appreciate how staff like Cassie and Janis go above and beyond to answer questions and facilitate the moving process, especially for aging relatives. A father-in-law and an uncle both share glowing impressions of the property, highlighting fast repairs on maintenance requests and the care shown by the leasing team. The sentiment is echoed by a memory-rich note about a grandmother who lived in the community back in 2008, with fond recollections of the pond, a gazebo, and the friendly, older residents who frequented the grounds. These anecdotes paint a picture of a place that, for many, has become a family-like space full of lasting memories.

Overall, Prairie Commons emerges as a strong option for those seeking a community-oriented, age-focused living environment with reliable staff, clean facilities, and a convenient, neighbor-friendly atmosphere. Most reviews converge on a positive impression: well-kept apartments, a supportive office team led by Cassie and Janis, quick maintenance responses, a lively social scene, and a safe, pet-friendly setting. There are blemishes - ranging from practical annoyances like a dryer that needs attention, to weather-related comfort issues such as poorly insulated windows and a kitchen-centered thermostat - but these do not seem to eclipse the broader sense of community, accessibility, and care that many residents repeatedly emphasize. For those valuing connection, convenience, and a warm, welcoming staff, Prairie Commons appears to offer a compelling living choice with room to address a few ongoing concerns.

This part of Lawrence, Kansas offers a variety of amenities and services that would be convenient for senior living. There are several restaurants within walking distance, ranging from Mexican cuisine to fast food options like McDonald's. Additionally, there are pharmacies nearby for easy access to medication and healthcare needs. The area also has a selection of physicians' offices for medical care within a short distance. For spiritual nourishment, there are churches in the vicinity as well. Furthermore, there are parks for leisurely strolls and outdoor activities within a few miles. Transportation options such as U-Haul and Park & Ride facilities provide convenience for getting around the area. Overall, this neighborhood provides a mix of dining options, healthcare services, recreational opportunities, and convenience for seniors considering residing in Lawrence.

Restaurants

• Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant (0.2 miles)
• Johnny's Tavern West (0.3 miles)
• McDonald's (0.3 miles)
• Slim Chickens (0.3 miles)
• Old Chicago (0.3 miles)
• SPIN! Pizza (0.3 miles)
• J. Wilson's (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Ks Lot Dillons 19 (0.5 miles)
• Sigler Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Sunflower Pharmacy (1.1 miles)
• Sigler Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)

Physicians

• Lawrence Family Medicine & Obstetrics (0.5 miles)
• Wakarusa Oral Surgery (0.6 miles)
• Asthma Allergy Associates, PA (0.7 miles)
• Internal Medicine Group (0.7 miles)
• Dr Khosh's-Natural Med Care (0.8 miles)
• Professional Renewal Center (0.9 miles)
• Dr. Steve Dillon, MD, FACP (0.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Corpus Christi Catholic Church (1.1 miles)
• Free State Church (1.7 miles)
• First Presbyterian Pre-School (3.3 miles)

Parks

• Dad Perry Park (1.6 miles)
• Clinton Lake Youth Sports Complex (2.2 miles)
• Mutt Run (2.6 miles)
• Ryan Gray Playground (2.9 miles)

Transportation

• U-Haul Moving & Storage (1.7 miles)
• KU Park & Ride West Lot (3 miles)
• Lawrence Memorial Hospital Heliport (3.5 miles)

Cafes

• Bubble Box (2 miles)

Hospitals

• LMH Endoscopy (3.5 miles)
• Lawrence Surgery Center (3.5 miles)
• Community Health Facility (3.6 miles)