Johanna Shores Commons & Arbor in CRYSTAL, MN

Pros

• Johanna Shores is described as a wonderful, beautiful, and tranquil community on the shores of Lake Johanna.
• It offers an impressive range of services - from independent and assisted living to transitional care, nursing, and memory care - providing peace of mind as residents' needs evolve.
• The amenities are top-notch, including a swimming pool, fitness classes, and a variety of social events that create a vibrant community.
• The staff are genuinely caring and go above and beyond to make residents feel at home, with dedication, compassion, and warmth noted by families.
• The campus is beautiful and well-maintained, with gardens, walking trails, and year-round scenery, plus summertime pontoon boat rides.
• The people - staff and residents alike - are friendly, helpful, and kind, making newcomers feel welcome immediately.
• Living at Johanna Shores is like being on vacation every day, with residents and families appreciating the security of life-long graduated care.
• Families consistently recommend Johanna Shores as a supportive, engaging, and beautiful place for their loved ones.

Cons

• They described a phone call with HR as unprofessional, rude, and unwelcoming, with no transfer offered.
• They felt the staff were disrespectful and uncaring, even calling them "homegrown heathens."
• They noted care had much to be desired and that there was no callback to assist during their loved one's death.
• They alleged the facility cares more about money than residents, including an overcharge of $1,400.
• They criticized the memory care unit for extra charges, poor staff training, and questionable security.
• They claimed management does not listen or care, causing emotional and financial stress for families.

Review

Johanna Shores Commons & Arbor in Crystal, MN is best suited for seniors who want a lake-adjacent campus with a built-in continuum of care and an active, social community that can grow with fading independence. The setting - well-kept grounds around Lake Johanna, easy walking paths, and multiple living options from independent apartments to memory care - positions it as a one-stop solution for aging in place. Families that prize predictable transitions, reliable on-site services (physical therapy, home health, transportation), and a campus feel will find this community especially compelling. It is not a budget retreat; it is a full-service senior living community designed for people who don't want to move twice.

Alternatives merit consideration for those who demand spotless operational clarity and rigorous care standards across every level. Prospective residents who require highly consistent, responsive front-line communication or who worry about billing accuracy may want to scrutinize experiences around administrative interactions and overcharging concerns. Those prioritizing a strict, memory-care-first environment with minimal optional charges may find other providers with a clearer pricing model and more specialized training more suitable. In short, when financial transparency and uniformly exceptional day-to-day care are non-negotiable, other options should be explored.

On the pro side, the property delivers on beauty and accessibility. The campus sits on the lake with gardens, walking trails, and attractive buildings that create a reassuring sense of place. The multi-level care available in one location reduces the stress of planning moves as needs shift - from independent living to assisted living, transitional care, and memory care. Residents and families repeatedly praise the staff for warmth, dedication, and responsiveness, describing the team as the heart of the community. The social calendar and amenities - swimming, fitness classes, speaker events, clubs - offer genuine opportunities to connect and stay engaged. Transportation and proximity to shopping and health services further ease daily life, underscoring a practical value that resonates with aging-in-place goals.

However, not all reviews align with that strength. There are voices of concern about inconsistent staff performance and communication, with some families reporting delayed responses and a perception that leadership did not listen or act quickly when problems surfaced. Billing and overcharge complaints cast a wary note into the overall impression, suggesting a need for tighter financial controls and clearer communication. Specific to care levels, some memory-care feedback points to optional charges and on-call expectations that burden families, plus occasional security and supervision worries in the memory unit. The combination of these issues creates a risk profile that cannot be ignored, especially for families placing high emphasis on flawless operations.

Yet the major advantages tend to offset these concerns for many residents. The continuity of care on one campus eases transitions and preserves familiarity, while the consistently praised staff culture can turn awkward moments into manageable ones. The exceptional setting and abundant activities foster a sense of belonging that few campuses match, and the practical benefits - that on-site PT, home health, a personal trainer, and reliable transportation - drive real quality of life. Where billing questions arise, the long-tenured residents and families who stay attest to the community's overall value when balanced against the cost. In short, Johanna Shores delivers a compelling combination of environment and capability that often outweighs the friction found in a few administrative areas.

For families considering Johanna Shores, approach with a clear checklist: assess whether the continuum of care aligns with anticipated needs, verify any charges tied to memory care and other services, and request direct contact with a resident advocate or care coordinator to map out a transition plan. Tour multiple sections - independent, assisted, transitional, memory care - and ask how the campus handles staffing consistency and billing adjustments. If a lakefront, socially active setting and guaranteed on-site care are priorities, this community has the core ingredients; if pristine administrative execution and predictable pricing are non-negotiable, it may be prudent to compare a few alternatives before committing.

This area of CRYSTAL, Minnesota, offers convenient access to essential amenities such as pharmacies, places of worship, restaurants, hospitals, parks, cafes, and physicians. With multiple pharmacies located within a short distance, obtaining necessary medications is easily accessible. Additionally, there are various options for worship, dining, healthcare services, recreation at nearby parks, and relaxation at cafes. The presence of reputable hospitals and healthcare providers ensures that medical needs can be met promptly and efficiently. Overall, this area provides a well-rounded sense of community and convenience for seniors considering living in CRYSTAL.

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Walgreens (1.5 miles)
• Walgreens (1.6 miles)
• HyVee Pharmacy (1.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (2.9 miles)
• Walgreens (3.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• Elim Church Center (1.5 miles)
• Westminster Presbyterian Church (5.1 miles)

Restaurants

• Pub 42 (1.5 miles)
• Big Louie's Bar & Grill (2.3 miles)
• Culver's (2.6 miles)
• Taco Bell (3 miles)
• ShowPlace ICON Theater (3.3 miles)
• Tony Jaro's River Garden (4.3 miles)
• Pryes Brewing Company (4.3 miles)

Hospitals

• Regency Hospital (2 miles)
• Hennepin County Medical Center (5.6 miles)
• Csc Gi Lab (5.6 miles)
• Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital (5.8 miles)
• Plymouth Surgery Center (5.9 miles)

Parks

• Twin Lake Beach Park (2.1 miles)
• French Regional Park (3.7 miles)
• Dakota Dog Park (4.1 miles)
• North Loop Dog Park (4.4 miles)
• Boom Island Park (4.7 miles)
• Aquila Park (4.9 miles)
• Loring Park (4.9 miles)

Cafes

• Caribou Coffee (2.5 miles)
• Angel Food Bakery & Coffee Bar (4.6 miles)
• Dunn Brothers Coffee (4.9 miles)
• Spyhouse Coffee (5 miles)

Physicians

• Northwest Family Physicians PA (2.6 miles)
• Partners In Pediatrics (5.3 miles)
• Minnesota Gastroenterology PA (5.9 miles)
• Whittier Clinic (5.9 miles)
• Ellgaard Annemarie Park Nicollet Clinic Carlson Parkway Minnetonka (6.2 miles)