Lincoln Square in Owatonna, MN

Pros

• The amenities are top notch and aesthetically beautiful.
• The front desk staff are consistently friendly and COVID-conscious.
• The management is outstanding and highly responsive.
• The second-floor amenity deck, gym, and garage are convenient and well-maintained.
• The location offers easy access to Target, Sprouts, Starbucks, and Chipotle, making it ideal for city living.
• Receiving packages is easy thanks to attendants and package lockers, and food delivery is simple.
• The units feature high-quality fixtures and a modern, clean aesthetic, including a glass-panel shower and large mirror.
• The apartments feel spacious and well-kept, with a bright, appealing design.
• The staff across leasing, front desk, and maintenance are professional, helpful, and welcoming.

Cons

• Street parking is disastrous.
• Prices have definitely gone up since moving in.
• Living on Broad St can be loud due to motorcycles and sirens.
• The development is still a work in progress.
• Unreasonable zoning requirements from local authorities are dooming progress.
• Gentrification is seen as bringing investment with concerns about its impact.
• Certain items are more expensive than nearby Target.

Review

Lincoln Square is best suited for active, urban-minded seniors who want a premium, maintenance-free living experience with immediate access to everyday conveniences. The building earns trust through a consistently responsive front-desk and concierge staff, plus a maintenance team that fixes issues promptly. The amenity suite reads like an all-in-one lifestyle club: a well-equipped gym, a small theater room, a golf simulator, casual recreation spaces, and expansive outdoor areas that invite daily activity and social connection. The on-site aesthetic - clean, modern, and light - pairs well with a flexible living space that can be personalized without sacrificing practicality. For those who value convenience and sociability over a purely residential, quiet-settled feel, Lincoln Square delivers a compelling, well-maintained urban living equation.

That said, not every senior will want alternatives. The most salient caveat is location-related noise and activity. The property sits on a busier corridor, and some residents report that motorcycles and sirens can intrude on sleep or quiet moments. Parking and street dynamics in the surrounding area can pose practical challenges, especially for visitors or residents who rely on easy in-and-out access. For seniors who prioritize serene, low-stress environments or those who need substantial on-site medical or assisted-living support, a quieter, more residential setting may be a better fit. The surrounding neighborhood's ongoing development can also feel unsettled to those who prefer a stable, long-term residential vibe with predictable traffic and parking patterns.

The strongest value proposition rests on people and program. The staff consistently earns praise for being friendly, professional, and reliable, with maintenance and leasing teams that handle concerns promptly and smoothly. On the activity side, the breadth of on-site amenities - engineering-level gym facilities, theater space, interactive golf simulation, and social/game rooms - offers ample outlets for staying active and engaged without leaving the building. The practical advantages of proximity to Sprouts, Target, and other retail outlets cannot be overstated: groceries, coffee, and casual dining are often a few steps away, which dramatically reduces the burden of daily errands for older adults. The package system and attentive front desk support further reduce the friction of independent living, making everyday routines easier and more predictable.

That practical heft translates into meaningful daily living benefits. Maintenance responsiveness and security-oriented staff translate into fewer interruptions to routines and less stress about mishaps or late-night calls. The social ecosystem tends to be genuine rather than perfunctory, with events and resident interactions that support ongoing independence and a sense of belonging. For a demographic that values purposeful activity and reliable service as core components of quality of life, Lincoln Square's combination of staff reliability and a rich amenity mix delivers a level of ease that is hard to beat among comparable downtown offerings. The rooftop and outdoor spaces, highlighted by reviewers, add seasonal appeal that sustains outdoor activity and social contact without heavy planning.

Cost remains a tangible consideration, and the reviews acknowledge upward movement in rent and related fees as services and standards rise. Still, the cost is often justified by the integrated lifestyle on offer: fewer separate memberships, less transportation fuss, and the value of having groceries and casual dining in immediate reach. Residents should anticipate ongoing changes in the broader neighborhood - investment and redevelopment that spur convenience, but may also bring shifts in parking availability and traffic patterns. For those who plan a multi-year stay, the total package - staff dedication, safety, robust amenities, and the convenience echoing through daily life - compensates for price pressures and the occasional urban growing pains.

The bottom line: Lincoln Square serves best the senior who wants a premium, connected downtown lifestyle with a reliable service backbone and abundant on-site resources. It is less well-suited for those who crave absolute quiet, require substantial on-site medical or assisted-living support, or seek the lowest possible cost of living. Alternatives worth considering include quieter, low-traffic residential communities with stronger parking discipline or independent living environments that emphasize tranquility over constant urban activity. For residents ready to invest in a vibrant, service-forward setting, the combination of standout staff, comprehensive amenities, and immediate retail access makes Lincoln Square a practical, compelling choice that supports independence, social vitality, and everyday ease over the long haul.

Located in Owatonna, Minnesota, this neighborhood offers convenient access to a variety of essential services and amenities suitable for seniors. With multiple transportation options such as Tonna Taxi Service, U-Haul Moving & Storage, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car nearby, getting around town is easy. Places of worship like Grace Baptist Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church provide spiritual support, while restaurants such as Plaza Morena Campestre Grill and The Kitchen offer dining options. Pharmacies like Sterling Drug and Astrup Drug are readily available for medication needs. Parks like Lake Chase Park and Jaycee Park offer green spaces for leisurely walks or picnics. Physicians such as Horizon Eye Care Professionals and McGregor Chiropractic PC are within a short distance for medical care. Additionally, cafes like Peet's Coffee and Tea provide cozy spots for socializing. Hospitals like Owatonna Hospital ensure access to comprehensive healthcare services, making this neighborhood a desirable option for senior living in Owatonna.

Transportation

• Tonna Taxi Service (0.6 miles)
• U-Haul Moving & Storage (0.8 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (1.1 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (2.4 miles)
• Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2.6 miles)
• First Choice Shuttle (11.9 miles)

Places of Worship

• Grace Baptist Church (0.6 miles)
• Bethel Church (0.6 miles)
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (0.7 miles)
• Iglesia Linaje Escogido (1.1 miles)
• Countryside Church (1.5 miles)
• Victory Christian Church (1.5 miles)
• WW Studio (1.5 miles)

Restaurants

• Plaza Morena Campestre Grill (0.7 miles)
• Kernel Restaurant (0.9 miles)
• The Kitchen (0.9 miles)
• Hardee's (1 miles)
• Blast Softserve (1 miles)
• Old Town Bagels (1.1 miles)
• The Dog Pound Bar (1.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Sterling Drug (1 miles)
• Sterling Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Sterling Owatonna (1 miles)
• Astrup Drug (1 miles)
• Sterling LTC Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Genoa Healthcare (1.2 miles)
• Hy-Vee Pharmacy (2.3 miles)

Parks

• Lake Chase Park (1.1 miles)
• Jaycee Park (1.3 miles)
• Kaplan Woods State Park (1.3 miles)
• Gainey Park (1.8 miles)
• Minot Brown Park (2.3 miles)
• SMMAC Air Field (8.2 miles)
• Kanne State Wildlife Management Area (10.4 miles)

Physicians

• Southeastern Minnesota Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates (1.5 miles)
• Horizon Eye Care Professionals (1.9 miles)
• McGregor Chiropractic PC (2.2 miles)
• Cruz Eugene Dela Dpm (13.2 miles)
• Ganeshan Vathsala MD (13.2 miles)
• Orthopaedic & Fracture Clinic Pa (13.3 miles)
• Cannon Valley Clinic (13.4 miles)

Cafes

• Peet's Coffee and Tea (1.6 miles)
• Starbucks (1.6 miles)
• Crooked Pint Ale House (13.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Owatonna Clinic (1.7 miles)
• Owatonna Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Allina Health Laboratory - Owatonna Hospital (1.8 miles)
• Owatonna Hospital Sleep Center (1.8 miles)
• District One Donations (13.1 miles)
• Melissa Appel, MD - Appel Melissa MD (13.1 miles)

Theaters

• Northwoods Cinema 10 (1.9 miles)
• CEC Theatres (1.9 miles)