Shady Way Plaza Tower in Wichita, KS

Pros

• Shawna is an awesome front desk worker; she is kind and generous.
• Residents receive courtesy and respect.
• The management and the coordinator are awesome, friendly, and safe.
• The community is pet-friendly.
• Stores, a clinic, and a church are within walking distance.
• Common Ground offers healthy recipes, good food, and exercise programs.
• Residents are happy to renew at Shadyway Plaza.
• The community is quiet, and security is excellent.
• The staff is great and goes above and beyond for residents.
• Ten-year residents have enjoyed their stay.
• The place is clean and nice to live.
• The site coordinator is a lifesaver and helps when needed.
• Katie is nice and friendly.
• There is a wonderful place to live for people aged 50 and up.
• Residents love it.

Cons

• One reviewer says the place is a joke and is not safe, comfortable, or great to live in.
• A relative's three-year stay is cited as evidence that the management was awful.
• There is mold in the building and several deaths have occurred, with the apartment reportedly remaining empty for over a year.
• A reviewer alleges a cover-up by a corrupt system behind the reviews and possible influence on decisions.
• The area is described as nervous and not pretty, a typical low-income housing development with outside problems.
• Tenants are said to be forced out even when their rent is paid on time.
• The manager is accused of telling residents what they want to hear and making the place seem great.
• The place is described as not suitable for someone trying to stay sober.

Review

Shady Way Plaza Tower in Wichita is best suited for older adults who want an affordable, community-driven living option with easy access to on-site services, social programming, and practical amenities. The building functions as a small, self-contained village, where residents value daily connection and coordination of external resources. Front-desk staff and service coordinators are frequently cited as the heart of the community, with names like Shawna, Katie, and Rachel singled out for reliability, responsiveness, and a willingness to advocate for residents. For people who prize a sense of belonging, routine, and access to clinics, meals programs, and local churches within walking distance, this campus delivers tangible daily value.

Those who should consider alternatives are not few. The northeast Wichita location sits outside the prettiest stretch of town, and several reviews flag the area as a practical but uninspiring setting, with concerns about safety and surroundings. More troubling are persistent reports about building conditions and management dynamics, including references to mold and, at times, problematic responses from leadership. A subset of tenants describe ongoing displacement pressure, even with rent paid on time, and accuse the management of saying what residents want to hear rather than delivering consistent, transparent service. For families prioritizing pristine interiors and rock-solid management transparency, this is a strong signal to look elsewhere.

The strongest pros - warm, accessible staff; a capable service coordinator who connects residents to community resources; and a steady stream of on-site or nearby services - can markedly improve daily life. Residents repeatedly praise the care coordinators who help navigate benefits, rent assistance, and local programs, and they note the convenience of on-site clinics, a dollar store nearby, and a secure, quiet living environment. Social events, shared meals, and a grounded sense of community create a practical support network that reduces dependence on external services. In short, the human elements here often offset the basic limitations of a smaller, budget-conscious property.

Yet the cons carry substantial weight. Mold in the building, reported deaths in the past, and accusations of mismanagement create an undercurrent of risk that no amount of friendly staff can entirely neutralize. Several reviews portray the management team as unreliable or evasive, and some tenants describe a feeling of being pressured to move out for reasons outside their control, despite timely rent payments. These factors undermine long-term peace of mind, particularly for residents who require strong assurances about safety, ongoing maintenance, and fair, predictable lease terms. The contrast between resident warmth and systemic concerns is real and persistent.

For families evaluating a decision, a practical approach is essential. Schedule a candid tour with current residents and the on-site team, and demand current maintenance records, safety inspections, and a clear understanding of how mold remediation is addressed. Probe about occupancy turnover, rent escalation, and the specific steps taken to prevent displacement. Verify transportation options, proximity to family, and the availability of desired services, such as meal programs and medical or counseling support. If a higher level of architectural upkeep, visible safety measures, and unambiguous management accountability are non-negotiable, consider other communities before committing.

In the end, Shady Way Plaza Tower offers undeniable value for budget-conscious seniors who prioritize community, on-site support, and practical access to services. It is a compelling option for those who want a welcoming staff and a network of programs that make daily life smoother. However, for anyone who cannot tolerate potential mold concerns, signs of unstable management, or the prospect of displacement pressures, alternatives are worth exploring. The decision hinges on balancing the comfort of a friendly, resource-rich micro-community against the realities of maintenance reliability and neighborhood trade-offs.

This part of Wichita, Kansas offers a diverse range of amenities and services that make it an ideal location for senior living. With several places of worship nearby, including Galilee Church of God in Christ and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, residents have opportunities for spiritual engagement and community involvement. The proximity to healthcare providers such as Wesley Family Medicine and Wichita Radiological Group PA ensures easy access to medical care. Pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS Pharmacy are also conveniently located for prescription needs. Additionally, the area boasts a variety of dining options ranging from cafes like Panera Bread to restaurants like Tanya's Soup Kitchen and Old Chicago. For entertainment, seniors can enjoy movies at Regal Warren Old Town or spend time outdoors at College Hill Park or Edgemoor Park. Overall, this part of Wichita provides a well-rounded and accessible environment for seniors looking to live comfortably with access to essential services and recreational activities.

Places of Worship

• Galilee Church of God in Christ (0.5 miles)
• World Impact (1 miles)
• Chapel of the Sorrowful Mother (1.4 miles)
• Saint Marks Church of God in Christ (1.6 miles)
• Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church (1.8 miles)
• St Thomas Aquinas (2.8 miles)

Physicians

• Wesley Family Medicine (0.9 miles)
• Kansas Surgical Consultants (1 miles)
• Wichita Radiological Group PA (1 miles)
• Douthit Douglas D MD (1 miles)
• Valarie Kerschen (1.1 miles)
• Vitreo-Retinal Consultants (1.1 miles)
• Via Christi Clinic (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Consumer's Pharmacy (1.4 miles)
• Community Pharmacy (1.6 miles)
• Walgreens (1.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.9 miles)
• Walgreens (2.6 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.1 miles)

Cafes

• Panera Bread (1.3 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Il Primo Espresso Caffe (2.8 miles)
• Leslie Coffee Co. (2.8 miles)
• Starbucks (3 miles)
• Starbucks (4.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Via Christi Hospital On St Francis (1.3 miles)
• Via Christi Clinic on Emporia (1.5 miles)
• Hospital of Hope International (2.9 miles)
• Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital (3.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Tanya's Soup Kitchen (1.6 miles)
• Blue Fin Sake Bar (1.6 miles)
• Old Chicago (1.7 miles)
• Central Standard Brewing (1.7 miles)
• Connie's Mexico Cafe (1.8 miles)
• Meddys (1.8 miles)
• Nortons Brewing Company (1.9 miles)

Theaters

• Regal Warren Old Town (1.6 miles)

Parks

• College Hill Park (2 miles)
• Edgemoor Park (2.3 miles)