Bluejacket Lodge Apartments

Pros

• Connie is described as a really good manager who cares about her tenants.
• Kim is the new manager and is incredibly terrific, kind, responsive, and creative, making living there much better.
• The apartment is cute and quiet, and the neighbors seem nice.
• Blue Jacket Lodge is portrayed as a great place to live, located in downtown Shawnee and close to transportation, shops, and major stores.
• The community is clean, friendly, and quiet.

Cons

• Connie told them they were approved before all the paperwork was finalized.
• Connie only calls the tenants' father, not the tenants themselves, despite having the tenants' phone numbers.
• Connie won't bother picking up the phone to call the tenant, even though the tenants are living in their cars in the cold.
• The reviewer asks what kind of customer service/leasing person Connie is.
• Connie yelled at the reviewer during the bank verification process.
• The property lacks enough handicap parking for disabled residents and does not clear the lot well in icy or snowy conditions.

Review

Blue Jacket Lodge in downtown Shawnee comes across in these accounts as a place with real charm and a clear sense of community, but also with some frustrating gaps in communication and leasing processes. Several residents paint a picture of a property that feels warm and neighborly once you're settled, with a quiet, cute apartment and friendly neighbors. The building itself seems to offer conveniences that many renters notice and appreciate: a central location, proximity to transportation and shops, elevators, trash chutes, snack machines, and a generally neat, clean environment. For some residents, the experience has been everything they hoped for, and they speak highly of the on-site staff who are involved and genuinely care about their tenants.

Yet the reviews also reveal substantial concerns tied to how leasing and verification have been handled. A persistent grievance centers on being told they were "approved" before all paperwork was finalized, a situation that left at least one family in limbo for eight months and effectively homeless during a bitter winter. The core complaint is that approval status should come only after every document is complete, yet the process described here gave a false sense of finality. In particular, the impression that a credit check equated to full approval - without final paperwork - has left at least one reviewer feeling misled and unfairly pushed into instability. The impact of that miscommunication is clear and severe: a prolonged period without housing while expectations remained unfulfilled.

Complicating matters further is the way communications were handled during the verification and move-in process. One reviewer recalls a tense exchange about a bank verification form, where Connie allegedly responded with strong negation - "I didn't do ANYTHING wrong!" - before the caller could explain what the bank needed. That moment underscored a sense of frustration with how information was conveyed and handled, and it contributed to the broader feeling that important steps were mishandled or not prioritized in a timely way.

On the other hand, several reviewers offer strong praise for Connie as a manager who clearly cares about her tenants. "Connie is the best" and "Connie is a really good manager you can tell that she cares about her tenants" appear in multiple voices, sometimes alongside comments about her being responsive and personable. There are also positive remarks about Kim, who is described as the new manager: "so incredibly terrific. She is so kind, responsive, creative. Kim has made living here so much better than ever to live here." These affirmations suggest that when staff are engaged and accessible, residents feel supported, valued, and more comfortable in their homes.

The living experience itself seems to vary by resident. Some have moved in and found the place to be "cute," quiet, and well-suited to their needs, with neighbors who seem nice and an overall pleasant atmosphere. Others note practical concerns that affect daily life, such as the challenge of securing adequate handicapped parking and the way winter weather impacts safety in the parking lot. The complaint about insufficient handicapped parking and the lack of consistent snow and ice clearing paints a picture of logistical gaps that can undermine the otherwise favorable living experience. In icy conditions, the fear and difficulty of navigating the parking area stand out as a significant frustration for residents who rely on accessible parking and safe pathways.

Beyond the individual personalities and processes, several threads run through these reviews: the property's central location is repeatedly highlighted as a strong selling point, with proximity to networking opportunities, transportation, shops, and major stores cited as practical advantages. The building's amenities - elevators, trash chutes, snack machines - are noted positively, contributing to a convenient and comfortable day-to-day life. Yet those advantages coexist with the more stressful realities some residents faced: the roller coaster of approvals, the miscommunications around critical verifications, and the day-to-day parking challenges that can affect safety and peace of mind.

In sum, Blue Jacket Lodge emerges as a study in contrasts. Its core strengths lie in its appealing location, the tangible charm of the apartments, and a staff who show care and potential - especially when listening, communicating, and following through. The weaker threads appear in the leasing process and in the management of parking and winter maintenance, where delays, missteps, or perceived gaps in attention can have serious consequences for residents, including extended periods of instability for those who are already vulnerable. The testimonials collectively suggest a community with real warmth and potential, tempered by experiences that underscore the need for clearer communication, more consistent finalization of approvals, and better maintenance of accessibility and safety measures. For current or prospective residents, the message is clear: you may find a lovely home and genuinely caring staff here, but expect to advocate for thorough, timely handling of paperwork, parking, and winter upkeep to truly make the most of living at Blue Jacket Lodge.

This area of Shawnee Mission, Kansas offers a diverse range of amenities and services to support a comfortable and convenient lifestyle for seniors. With a variety of dining options such as Sushi Mido, Pine & Bamboo Garden, and Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers nearby, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. Additionally, there are multiple pharmacies in close proximity including Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy for easy access to medications and healthcare supplies. For leisurely activities, residents can visit Antioch Park or Shawnee Mission Park for outdoor recreation or catch a movie at B & B Theatres. In terms of healthcare, there are reputable medical facilities like AdventHealth Centra Care Shawnee and Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City within a short distance for any health needs that may arise. Overall, this part of Shawnee Mission provides a well-rounded community with options for dining, entertainment, healthcare, and outdoor enjoyment suitable for senior living.

Restaurants

• Sushi Mido (0.3 miles)
• Pine & Bamboo Garden (0.7 miles)
• Hurricane Allie's (1.3 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (1.3 miles)
• The Social Bar & Grill (1.5 miles)
• Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (1.6 miles)
• Fritz's Railroad Restaurant (1.7 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.4 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.4 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (0.7 miles)
• Filling Station Coffee (2.4 miles)
• Panera Bread (2.7 miles)
• Black Dog Coffeehouse (3.8 miles)
• Panera Bread (4.5 miles)
• Starbucks (4.8 miles)
• Brew Haha Coffeehouse (5.8 miles)

Physicians

• AdventHealth Centra Care Shawnee (1.1 miles)
• Ascentist Aesthetics and Facial Plastics (1.9 miles)
• AdventHealth Medical Group Primary Care at Shawnee Mission (2.2 miles)
• Shawnee Mission Special Addition Birth Center (2.3 miles)
• Latter Eyecare (2.9 miles)
• Retina Associates (3.6 miles)
• College Park Family Care - Lenexa (3.7 miles)

Parks

• Antioch Park (2 miles)
• Shawnee Mission Park (4.4 miles)
• Cherokee Park (4.6 miles)
• Harmon Park (5.1 miles)
• Shawnee Mission Dog Park (5.8 miles)
• Loose Park (6.6 miles)
• Nall Hills Park (6.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Good Shepherd Catholic Church (2.3 miles)
• Overland Park Christian Church (3.1 miles)
• Lenexa Baptist Church (4.4 miles)

Theaters

• B & B Theatres (3.7 miles)

Hospitals

• Cambridge A Pre/Post (6.3 miles)
• Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (7 miles)