Lawndale Heights

Pros

• The place is described as a great place to live, with secure apartment living and nice residents.
• Elevators work great.
• The staff is great and quick to fix maintenance problems.
• The apartment is good-sized with good neighbors, and staff helped residents obtain rent assistance from HUD.
• The management is nice and friendly and welcomed residents upon arrival.
• The reviewers note great people and spacious apartments.

Cons

• The building is run down.
• There are roaches and mice.
• The trash chute is closed.
• Elevators don't work and sound dangerous.
• There are homeless people in the building.
• Security is never present.
• The place is awful.
• The staff miss many days.
• The community room is closed, leaving nowhere to sit and visit.
• The staff don't seem to care and are accused of lying.
• The building lacks automated doors for a 62+ and disabled population.
• There are numerous places without handrails.
• There are no public restrooms.
• There is a rodent and bug problem (rats, mice, bugs).
• Old residents have to take their trash outside.
• The trash chute has been closed for over two years due to clogging.
• The trash chute is closed because boxes clog it.
• Kitchen counters need replacement.
• Bathrooms need severe caulking.
• Plumbing issues; health department may need to inspect.
• There is no maintenance and new management is accused of slumlording, with ignored work orders.
• The apartment has mice, bed bugs, and roaches, and nothing gets fixed.
• The voting location was not ready when the person tried to vote.
• The reviewer states the apartment building is not worth living in.

Review

This housing complex comes across as a place with a highly varied set of experiences, depending on who you ask. Some residents paint a picture of a solid, secure, and neighborly community where apartment living feels comfortable and predictable. Others describe a much tougher reality: deteriorating conditions, safety concerns, and management and maintenance issues that leave people frustrated and discouraged. The range of opinions suggests a property that, for some, checks the important boxes of space and security, while for others it falls short in critical areas like upkeep, accessibility, and overall livability.

On the positive side, a number of voices praise the fundamental aspects of living there. Several reviewers call it a great place to live and emphasize secure apartment living, noting that people in the building are friendly. Elevator service is repeatedly mentioned as working well, which can make a big difference in daily life. Some residents highlight excellent staff who respond quickly to maintenance problems, and a few even credit the property with helping them obtain rental assistance from HUD. In addition to the practical comforts of a good-sized apartment, there are mentions of good neighbors and a generally welcoming atmosphere in certain units. A few residents also point to the management as friendly and welcoming on arrival, and there are personal accolades for the sense of community and the positive energy within the building.

Yet, a substantial portion of the commentary focuses on troubling shortcomings. Recurrent problems include pest infestations - roaches, mice, and even bed bugs in some units - and a shared sentiment that the property has fallen into disrepair. The trash disposal system is described as being shut down for years, with reasons given such as boxes clogging the chute, which, in turn, allegedly invites vermin and a degraded living environment. Other infrastructure concerns surface repeatedly: elevators that don't work or feel unsafe, and a general sense of decline in common areas. Several reviewers mention homeless individuals in the building and ongoing security gaps, as well as children living in the property, which contributes to perceptions of risk and a lack of visible oversight. The community room is described as closed, depriving residents of a simple, neutral space to sit and visit, which adds to a sense of isolation and frustration.

Accessibility and age-related considerations also appear prominently in the feedback. The property is described as a 62+ and disabled building, but reviewers note that automated doors are absent, making entry and exit a challenge for people with mobility needs. There are references to places without handrails and the absence of public restrooms, painting a picture of a building that, for some residents, is not adequately equipped to support seniors or disabled tenants. These accessibility gaps contribute to a broader impression of neglect in fundamental amenities that should be reliable and easy to use for residents with limited mobility.

Maintenance and management dynamics reflect a similar paradox. On one hand, several accounts congratulate staff for prompt fixes and responsive service when maintenance requests are properly addressed. On the other hand, there are strongly worded complaints that maintenance is either slow, incomplete, or non-existent under new management, with phrases that describe the property as being turned into "slumlords." Some tenants report repeatedly submitting work orders that are ignored, and others say that problems persist without resolution, prompting plans to move out. This split in experiences underscores how management practices can drastically alter residents' day-to-day quality of life, even within the same building.

In closing, the community's narrative is one of contrasts: moments of warmth, efficiency, and neighborly support exist alongside persistent concerns about safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. A few residents express optimism and pride in their living space, insisting they love the atmosphere and that the property has real potential when things are managed well. Others warn prospective tenants to weigh the risks carefully - pest problems, broken infrastructure, insufficient security, and inconsistent maintenance can quickly erode the sense of home. For anyone considering moving in, this mosaic of experiences suggests the importance of a thorough personal tour, a clear understanding of current maintenance practices, and an honest check on accessibility features and security arrangements before committing.

This part of Kansas City, Missouri offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing for senior living. With multiple pharmacies, hospitals, and physicians within a few miles radius, access to healthcare is convenient. The area also boasts a selection of restaurants, cafes, and parks to enjoy leisurely activities and social interactions. Additionally, transportation options such as the KC Streetcar and Amtrak station provide easy access to other parts of the city. Places of worship are also nearby for spiritual fulfillment. Overall, this neighborhood provides a blend of convenience, community, and recreational opportunities that could make it a desirable location for senior living.

Pharmacies

• Walgreens (0.8 miles)
• Walgreens (2.8 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (3.7 miles)
• Walgreens (3.9 miles)
• Costco 0375 (4 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (4.7 miles)

Restaurants

• Portia's Cafe (1.1 miles)
• Soiree Southern Cajun Fusion Steakhouse (2.6 miles)
• Garozzo's Ristorante (3.2 miles)
• Grinders (3.4 miles)
• Casual Animal Brewing Company (3.5 miles)
• Johnny's Tavern (3.5 miles)
• RecordBar (3.6 miles)

Parks

• Budd Park (1.1 miles)
• Central Park (2.4 miles)
• Rotary Park (3.5 miles)
• Bar K Dog Bar (3.6 miles)
• Washington Square Park (3.7 miles)
• Skiles park (4.3 miles)
• Historic Hyde Park (4.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Kansas City VA Medical Center : Midwest Biomedical Research (2.2 miles)
• Truman Medical Center (3.3 miles)
• Children's Mercy Research Institute (3.4 miles)
• North Kansas City Hospital (4.2 miles)
• VA Honor Annex (4.8 miles)
• Saint Luke's Hospital of Kansas City (5.2 miles)
• Cambridge A Pre/Post (5.6 miles)

Physicians

• Fairmount Family Medical Care (3.2 miles)
• Cerner Healthe Pharmacy (4.1 miles)
• Orthopedic Health of Kansas City formerly Drisko, Fee & Parkins ( DFP ) - North Kansas City (4.1 miles)
• John D. Eatman, MD (4.2 miles)
• Graham Bruce D (4.3 miles)
• KC CARE Health Center (4.6 miles)
• Mill Creek Park (5.3 miles)

Places of Worship

• Resurrection Downtown (3.5 miles)
• Trinity United Methodist Church (4 miles)
• Community of Christ Temple (4.8 miles)
• Central United Methodist Church (5.6 miles)
• North Cross United Methodist Church (6.4 miles)

Cafes

• Messenger Coffee Co. (3.6 miles)
• Panera Bread (3.6 miles)
• Filling Station (3.7 miles)
• Mildred's (3.8 miles)
• Billie's Grocery (3.9 miles)
• Blip Roasters (4.6 miles)
• Starbucks (4.9 miles)

Transportation

• KC Streetcar (3.8 miles)
• Amtrak Kansas City - Union Station (3.8 miles)