John Calvin Apartments

Pros

• The reviewer would give the community five stars and hopes to move in.
• The reviewer describes it as a "2nd home" where everyone feels like family.
• The reviewer notes friendly residents, many with dogs, and lots to do.
• The reviewer finds the community's name awesome.
• The location is excellent for seniors and the apartments are very nice.
• The reviewer highlights that it is close to everything, with caring staff and activities like exercise classes, Sunday school, and church.
• The apartments are very nice and conveniently located.
• The reviewer looks forward to making the apartments their home and hopes for a good life.
• It is described as the best for retirement.

Cons

• They have waited more than five years after applying, while others have already moved in.
• Inside, the apartments feel like an anti-social cave and are not welcoming.
• Pet owners are shamed and banned from sitting in their cars in the parking lot with their pets.
• If someone has a four-legged companion, these apartments are not for them.
• It is not good for residents who have to hide their pets.

Review

This senior living community comes through in many ways as more than just an address. The impressions shared are a blend of warmth, practicality, and a strong sense of belonging. People describe the place as a homey environment where the vibe among residents is welcoming and affectionate. The sentiment that life here feels like a "second home" is echoed by several who remember it as a place where neighbors treated each other with care and where the daily atmosphere invites conversation, companionship, and reassurance.

A number of memories weave together to shape the place's image. One caller speaks of a grandmother who lived there and of how the entire community treated her like family. The whisper of those memories is accompanied by the sense that "everyone there was like a grandparent to me." Even those who did not know the person personally felt hugged and welcomed in a way that made the building feel less like a building and more like a neighborhood where people look out for one another. To these voices, the complex isn't just housing; it's a social fabric that lends emotional security and a deep sense of being cared for.

The present moment for potential residents also carries a bright note. There are accounts of meeting many current residents who share enthusiasm about the place - especially for animal lovers. Many residents have dogs, and the abundance of dogs is described as a lively feature of the community. The environment is depicted as one with plenty to do, where friendliness is tangible and connections can form quickly. The anticipation of moving in next week is buoyed by these conversations and the impression that the community is active and welcoming.

Beyond sentiment, the location and conveniences are highlighted as strong positives. One review praises the site as an excellent location for seniors, noting that it is close to everything you need. A mother who lives there is described as having a safe place to call home with access to a doctor who visits her apartment. The community also offers regular activities that many find valuable: exercise classes, Sunday school and church, and monthly potluck dinners. These amenities contribute to a sense of purpose and routine, reinforcing the idea that this is not merely a place to stay, but a place to actively live and participate.

Yet not all experiences are perfectly smooth. A frustrating thread runs through some comments: the application process and the pace at which people move in. One person recalls a long wait - over five years since turning in the application - while others who submitted after or around the same time have already moved in. The frustration is tempered by the recognition that the community remains desirable and others have managed to join, but the delay clearly colors some expectations and patience.

Another tension arises around pet policies and the social climate. While the community is described as friendly and animal-friendly in some respects, there is also a harsh note about how pets are treated in certain areas. Some describe the inside of the complex as feeling like a "cave" that is unfriendly to four-legged companions. Pet owners report being shamed or even told to sit in their cars with their dogs, which creates an atmosphere of unease for those who rely on their companions for comfort and companionship. The dichotomy here is stark: abundant pet-centered interaction on one hand, and a perceived stigma or restriction on the other.

Despite these tensions, the overarching message remains hopeful and aspirational. The final takeaway many express is that this place can be an excellent home for retirement - full of potential for warmth, community, and meaningful daily life. The combination of close-knit residents, strong community ties, convenient access to services, and the chance to build a life with neighbors who feel like family makes it a compelling option for those who long to settle into a place that feels right. For many, the appeal of calling this community home endures, even as they acknowledge the challenges that come with it.

Hospitals

• Memorial Health Care System (0.1 miles)
• Memorial Hospital (5.1 miles)
• Memorial Health Care System (6.1 miles)
• Erlanger NICU (6.2 miles)
• Diabetes Care Center (6.6 miles)

Physicians

• Chattanooga Allergy Clinic (0.3 miles)
• Northgate Neurology (0.3 miles)
• Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (0.3 miles)
• Chattanooga Imaging Hixson (0.3 miles)
• Galen North Pediatrics (0.3 miles)
• Chattanooga Primary Care (0.4 miles)
• Team Orthopaedics (0.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• CVS Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• Walgreens (1.2 miles)
• Access Family Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Access Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• Access Medical Equipment (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (1.5 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (5 miles)

Restaurants

• Zaxby's (0.5 miles)
• Little Tokyo Express (0.8 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (2 miles)
• McHale's Brewhouse (2.3 miles)
• SideTrack (2.5 miles)
• Dub's Place (2.6 miles)
• Sonic Drive-In (2.8 miles)

Places of Worship

• St Jude Catholic Church (1.8 miles)
• Stuart Heights Baptist Church (3.1 miles)
• Signal Crest United Methodist Church (5.6 miles)
• Signal Mountain Baptist Church (5.7 miles)
• New Covenant Fellowship Church (6.5 miles)
• The Wesley Center (6.6 miles)
• First-Centenary United Methodist Church (6.7 miles)

Parks

• Booker T Washington State Park (3.5 miles)
• Canyons at Falling Water Playground (4.3 miles)
• Red Bank Dog Park (4.7 miles)
• Stringer's Ridge Park (6 miles)
• Coolidge Park (6 miles)
• Renaissance Park (6.1 miles)
• Bluff view river walk entrance (6.4 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (5.5 miles)
• Rembrandt's Coffee House (6.3 miles)
• Cadence Coffee Company (6.8 miles)

Transportation

• CHA employee lot (6.6 miles)